CLICK HERE FOR
EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW
with
J RockA &
Sarai Knowledge
J RockA
JRockA is a man of many trades with endless innovative ideas to bring more light and inspiration to the world. Born on the birthday of his father, he was passed down with the passion for life and creation. During his childhood years, many of his family road trips were spent listening to legendary artists such as Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon. He was raised in Massachusetts where he spent much of his adolescent years writing poetry and rhymes, freestyling, drawing and spray painting graffiti style art, as well as entering and winning many different styles of art competitions.
As a mischievous youth, JRockA was a rebel and known as the class clown truly a born entertainer. He was given nicknames such as Kaotik and House Party as he was constantly entertaining others no matter where it was. With his love for music and arts, he found his muse in the hip hop world. In his early teens, he was first inspired by the likes of artists such as Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Def Squad, KRS-One, Nas, and Wu-Tang. J RockA was so passionate about hip hop music that by the age of 20, all local record store workers knew that he would be there every Tuesday to pick up all of the new underground and mainstream hip hop albums available. As he has appreciated all aspects of the artists deeply from the album art to the lyrical content and the production.
In college, his rhyming and graffiti styles evolved in the hills of Providence, RI amongst a diverse culture that heavily influenced his freedom of self expression. Underground roots and influences grew larger with the likes of Blackstar, Common, The Roots, Slum Village, Outkast, J-Live, Rawkus Records Emcees, Hieroglyphics, & so many others. By 2001, he moved away from the Northeast to set out on a musical journey to seek what was awaiting... from central Florida to southern California inspiration was everywhere...
Now in San Francisco, since 2006, J RockA decided to take his music a little more serious by planting some seeds for a record label he would launch almost two years later. In spring of 2008, J formed JUST BE Records an independent record label that stands for Justice, Unity, Strength, in Truth to be Blessed Eternally. Dabbling in all types of different musical genres over the years, he has laid down vocal flows for numerous varieties of styles, tempos, and melodies. Evolving from an analog Tascam four track recorder(1999) to live studio sessions with over ten different live acoustic instruments(2008) to a basic set-up mic and a PC.
RockA has chosen to utilize the gift of music on earth to assist humanity in a major vibrational shift centered in unity in diversity through universal technology and communication.
J RockA is Justice. He is a gifted emcee from a fire spittin rap style to straight laid back chillin'. His lyrics are always profound with Truth that resonates deep as he has vast overstanding of many aspects of life and the universe through his messages.
By studying sound one can begin to overstand that resonating melodic patterns and phrases, poetic words align higher frequencies that unlock keys hidden deep in the human subconscious through the media of music. CHANGE can occur through this mysteriously amazing medium that is so profound and long awaited that one cannot currently comprehend the amazing changes and shifts that will happen.
From the fiery sign of the Aries cycle, cries of laughter and joy echo amidst the islands of the Philippines where Sarai Knowledge was given birth. She was born among a long bloodline of musicians and singer/songwriters and started singing since before she could speak words. Fortunate opportunities from the Divine allowed her family to relocate to the United States. It was at the age of four when Sarai arrived in the jazzy streets of New Orleans. Surrounded by creative souls and free spirits, inspiration sparked in her young heart from the collective dreams and hopes of incredible jazz musicians. It was from those years where the root of her love for Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and many more began.
Following where the economy was booming, Sarais family relocated to the northeast where she arrived in Massachusetts at the age of eight. The beautiful four seasons inspired the moods of acoustic, funk, classics, and pop. Her father raised her on sounds such as Cat Stevens, The Beatles, The Police, etc. and her mothers constant beautiful singing of inspirations such as Whitney Huston, Diana Ross, Sade, etc. Sarai was fortunate to have such influences. Being nurtured in a predominately religious household, she was raised with a spiritual upbringing although she never accepted everything the way it was and always asked questions. In church she began performing at the early age of nine in choir and plays and even taking organ lessons.
It was at the age of 12 when Sarai became a straight hip hop junkie from the first sound of Me, Myself, and I. With her deep influences from George Clinton, emerged the findings of De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest. It became a ritual where every Tuesday she would be the first one at the local record store awaiting new hip hop albums to drop. Sarai became a disciple of their teachings and took in all the positive knowledge from her musical mentors.
Music became her life and pure focus. Expanding her musical gifts, Miss Knowledge bought her first acoustic guitar at 15. Her drive and passion gave her the ability to teach herself to play the guitar, write songs and rhymes, as well as poetry. In high school, she took drama and music class, participated in every talent show and school play, while still actively involved in church choir. Throughout college, Sarai attended The Royal Academy of Performing Arts where she took vocal lessons and always made time to perform at open mics.
After Sarai achieved her bachelors degree, she quickly moved California. From San Diego to San Francisco, the streets were alive and filled with all creative passions of art and music. She was immediately filled with inspiration and began performing at cafes, and clubs while also volunteering throughout the community. Throughout time she worked with various uplifting programs such as Youth Speaks poetry organization, Hurricane Katrina Relief foundations, Homeless Outreach programs, and working with the Boys and Girls club fundraisers where she was even blessed to meet one her long time role models, The RZA.
While working with many talented musicians and emcees and always seeking knowledge, Sarai spent much of her time playing the guitar, the piano, and learning to play the djembe and particularly the didgeridoo. In 2006 Sarai began to take her music career seriously and started recording at various studios throughout San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York from styles of acoustic, soul, hip hop, reggae, dub, jazz and meditation. She was blessed to have the opportunity to work with the likes of some of her long time respected inspirations such as Afu-Ra, PF Cuttin, Madlib, and Phil the Agony. Sarai has also recently opened for Jamaica's dancehall king, Delly Ranx.
Influenced by vast arrays of genres and styles and inspired by all the beauty and hope of the world, Sarai Knowledge aspires to bring forth an uplifting and positive message to the people to bring unity within all humanity despite indifferences.
presents...
Buy Now
J RockA & Sarai
LIVE
Certified Organic
||acoustic EP||
JUST BE The EP
Bump The Beat
01 Oh My Child (intro)
02 Your Reality with J RockA
03 Yin & Yang
04 Leaving Sorrows Behind with J RockA
05 Finding You
06 Music That Matters (9 SF musicians)
07 Oh My Child (outro)
(for demo purposes only)
Do You Believe?
A Night & A Day
Be Alright
Support the
JUST BE MOVEMENT
for only $2.99 and get
Certified
Underground
Download Today!
01 Breathe (Surya Dubplate)
02 Been So Long with Meru Matu
03 Finding Myself w/Afu-Ra & Koll
04 Never Too Late with J RockA
05 Sedating Game with J RockA
06 Release with J RockA
07 Gotta Be Free BONUS J RockA track
08 Wake Up Now! BONUS J RockA track
JUST BE CLOTHING
in association with CY Clothing
is proud to present the
release of the first t-shirt of
The JUST BE Clothing line at the
"Hip-Hop Meets Couture"
Fashion Show & Live Music Event
in San Francisco City Hall
NOW AVAILABLE in white!
in S-XL baby t-shirts for women
and M-XXL t-shirts for men
front
back
JUST BE...
KRS-One ft.J RockA and Sarai Knowledge!!!!Get Your Tickets on justbetrue.com and save $$ on expensive ticketmaster fees!!_______________||JUST BE News|| ........February 2010Opening for KRS-One & BuckshotThe Roxy9009 W. Sunset Blvd.Hollywood, CAFriday, February 19thDoors 8pm Show 9pm........January 2010Happy New Year!!JUST BE Records is teaming back up with Zack Crawford Productions and Drew Correa on a dope new record... soon to be announced!!Chicago, ILJanuary 20th-25th.......December 2009 J RockA & Sarai Knowledge are featured in The Source Magazine and XXL Magazineas NEW Up & Coming Artists Read online at www.thesource.com for full interview under Features - Online Exclusives........November 2009First mainstream radio play on WiLD 95.5 FMW. Palm Beach, FL of featured single "Bump The Beat" All songs from The EP are now being played on 350+ major radio stations across the US! Call into your favorite radio station to request your favorite!Hip Hop Meets CoutureFriday, November 6, 2009 7pm-11pm City Hall, San FranciscoA historical evening of high couture fashion show infused with hip-hop, live performances, and music/fashion professionals!Meet in greets with the likes of Ed Hardy, Warner Bro,The Source Magazine, Interscope Records, and many more...$40 / $100 VIPincludes admission to the official afterparty at Club 525525 Howard St, San FranLimited presale tickets available online at airbornetickets.com ........October 2009JUST BE The EP NOW AVAILABLE on iTUNES and other major retailers worldwide!!........September 2009Urban photoshoot for magazine and promo in Sacramento, CAJUST BE The EP released on cdbaby.com for download........August 2009Hear 'em fresh outta Zack Crawford studios, J RockA & Sarai 's finished album JUST BE The EPwith production from the Hit Factory in Miami .......July 2009J RockA & Sarai Knowledge finishes their new single "Bump The Beat" produced by Drew Correa, 2009 Grammy winning producer for Lil Wayne's "Mr.Carter" featuring Jay-Z.......June 2009Def Jam Records Hip Hop Showcase with performances by J RockA & Sarai Knowledge The Terrace Nightclub, Pasadena, Ca June 21.......May 2009Live radio appearance on KPOO 89.5FM in San Francisco. Performing a live acoustic set and discussing world and social issues.......April 2009CY Clothing photoshoot for new eco-friendly line of organic hemp, cotton, and bamboo San Francisco, CAcyevolution.comPhotos by:Kayvon Eskenas .......March 2009Featured blown glass models at Las Vegas CHAMPS Tradeshow at the RivieraPhotos by:www.shannondornphotography.com .......February 2009Performance with Jamaica's dancehall artist, Delly RanxBruno's, Mission St.San Francisco, CACooyah Clothing photoshoot Las Vegas, NVPhotos by: Shannon Dorn
KRS-One ft.
J RockA and
Sarai Knowledge!!!!
Get Your Tickets on justbetrue.com and save $$ on expensive ticketmaster fees!!
_______________
||JUST BE News||
........
February 2010
Opening for
KRS-One & Buckshot
The Roxy
9009 W. Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
Friday, February 19th
Doors 8pm Show 9pm
January 2010
Happy New Year!!
JUST BE Records
is teaming back up with Zack Crawford Productions and Drew Correa on a
dope new record...
soon to be announced!!
Chicago, IL
January 20th-25th
.......
December 2009
J RockA & Sarai Knowledge are featured in
The Source Magazine
and XXL Magazine
as NEW Up & Coming Artists
Read online at www.thesource.com
for full interview under
Features - Online Exclusives
November 2009
First mainstream
radio play on
WiLD 95.5 FM
W. Palm Beach, FL
of featured single
"Bump The Beat"
All songs from The EP are now being played on 350+ major radio stations across the US! Call into your favorite radio station to request your favorite!
Hip Hop Meets Couture
Friday, November 6, 2009
7pm-11pm
City Hall, San Francisco
A historical evening of high couture fashion show
infused with hip-hop,
live performances, and music/fashion professionals!
Meet in greets with the likes of Ed Hardy, Warner Bro,
The Source Magazine,
Interscope Records,
and many more...
$40 / $100 VIP
includes admission to the official afterparty
at Club 525
525 Howard St, San Fran
Limited presale tickets available online at airbornetickets.com
October 2009
NOW AVAILABLE
on iTUNES
and other major
retailers worldwide!!
September 2009
Urban photoshoot for magazine and promo
in Sacramento, CA
released on
cdbaby.com
for download
August 2009
Hear 'em fresh outta
Zack Crawford studios,
J RockA & Sarai 's finished album JUST BE The EP
with production from the
Hit Factory in Miami
July 2009
J RockA & Sarai Knowledge finishes their new single
produced by Drew Correa, 2009 Grammy winning producer for
Lil Wayne's "Mr.Carter" featuring Jay-Z
June 2009
Def Jam Records Hip Hop Showcase with performances by J RockA & Sarai Knowledge
The Terrace Nightclub, Pasadena, Ca June 21
May 2009
Live radio appearance on KPOO 89.5FM in San Francisco. Performing a
live acoustic set and
discussing world
and social issues
April 2009
CY Clothing photoshoot for new eco-friendly line of organic hemp,
cotton, and bamboo
San Francisco, CA
cyevolution.com
Photos by:
Kayvon Eskenas
March 2009
Featured blown glass models at Las Vegas
CHAMPS Tradeshow
at the Riviera
www.shannondorn
photography.com
February 2009
Performance with Jamaica's dancehall artist, Delly Ranx
Bruno's, Mission St.
Cooyah Clothing photoshoot Las Vegas, NV
Shannon Dorn
Justice
unity
Strength
Truth
-to be-
Blessed
Eternally
"... emerging into the music industry ready to take you
on a melodic journey with talent from the heart and
inspiring lyrical diversity to keep you lifted..."
With their recent release, JUST BE The EP, featuring production by Drew Correa, 2009 Grammy award winning producer for Lil Wayne's "Mr. Carter" (ft. Jay-Z), J RockA and Sarai Knowledge are continuing to make a buzz!! Last month they were featured in both The Source and XXL Magazine as up and coming artists and have a full interview available online now at thesource.com under features-online exclusives.
With quality records from the Hit Factory and production from big industry names, J RockA and Sarai Knowledge can rock a stage with a fierce performance and can hype up any crowd for an unforgettable show. They recently performed at San Francisco City Hall for a Hip Hop Meets Couture fashion show sponsored by Ed Hardy and The Source Magazine sharing the stage with other well known bay area artist such as Erk The Jerk, The Jacka, Evenodds, San Quinn, and more. Make sure to check their next show at the Roxy in Hollywood opening for the legendary KRS-One! and Buckshot! You can also check them out rappin' in Lyrics Born's premier of his music video "Oh Baby!".
J RockA and Sarai Knowledge having been creating music together for 6 years but have been music driven their whole lives. In 2008, they officially established their own indie record label J.U.S.T. B.E. Records based on their idealism of Justice, Unity, Strength, and Truth (to be) Blessed Eternally. J RockA and Sarai strive to bring a message of hope and bring forth inspiring, informative, and elevating sounds of healing through the gifts of word and melodic frequencies.
Locally in San Francisco, they involve themselves within the community such as the Youth Speaks poetry organization, homeless outreach, community gardening, organic living education, and making frequent guest appearances on KPOO 89.5FM radio for live performances and interviews. KPOO is the first African-American owned and operated noncommercial radio station that gives voice to people using the airways to educate the community while also specializing in variety of music. J RockA and Sarai particularly appear on Prison Focus Radio to discuss their views on world and social issues.
Actively involved in many aspects of promoting the green movement and organic living, JUST BE Records advocates Cooyah Clothing, a popular reggae inspired clothing line since 1987, in their launch of an eco friendly line. This new line based out of Miami, CY Clothing, brings organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo fibers trendy with their hand drawn all natural ink prints. Various styles are now available at Cooyah retailers worldwide. Be sure to look out for the JUST BE family as well as many familiar names in the music industry as the faces promoting this green movement.
Now couldn't be a better time to make people feel good with music that uplifts, informs,& inspires but at the same time keeps ya body movin'. We strive to bring a message of hope and bring forth inspiring, informative, and elevating sounds of healing through the gifts of word and melodic frequencies. JUST BE is a movement..it's a positive message to unite people to overall simply..JUST BE!
JUST BE Records hope to bring a brighter message of tomorrow with their articulate sound and activism. Whether youre a lover of pop, hip hop, reggae, folk, new age, or even spoken word; you will find a place in your soul where you will be taken away to another place with their message...
© Copyright 2009. JUST BE Records. All Rights Reserved
