J Downs

Blending elements of rock and hip-hop, the music of J Downs ranges from hard-edged power jams to laid back acoustic reggae rhythms based in the heart of Southern California.

Originally emerging onto the SoCal scene in 2005, Downs first album 'All-Division' hit shelves in the Spring of 2007 under the imprint of 703 Records. The 11-track self-produced disc featured J’s hip-hop/rock vocal stylings delivered over a live band sound, and also included the debut music video for ‘Hit Em Off’, which peaked on Youtube's Top Ten Most Rated Videos in February 2007. Within the next year, J would drop his sophomore album 'Cali Shine', and would appear in a viral Geico commercial filmed in Providence, RI.

Downs has been featured on various radio broadcasts, including Engage Internet Radio (MA), Jelly Radio (SD), the DJ Trill Will Show (Sirius XM Radio), WRIU (RI), and the Lady J Live Show (LA). Having played venues including The Whisky A Go Go and Qualcomm Stadium, his signature live acoustic hip-hop set also earned him 4th place in the San Diego Songwriter Competition in March 2009. Downs has guest featured in the independent music videos for Bay Area’s Deuce Eclipse song ‘Blackout’ and also the viral music video for Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek’s ‘Back Again’ off their 2010 album ‘Revolutions Per Minute’.

“A fresh blend of hip-hop and live instrumentation... his style is unlike typical sample-based hip-hop artists, and one that is not to be missed!”
Reviewer Rob, Reviewer Magazine

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