Tifani Sage’s single “Entitled” played on Cee Bee’s Global Reggae Show on Chaaawaaa Radio
4 years ago
United States Jabee is an Emmy award-winning hip-hop artist and actor, recognized for his musical contributions and community activism, particularly within Oklahoma.
Jabee collaborated with Stonecloud Brewing Company to create a collaboration beer, an experience he cited as one of his favorites.
In 2014, Jabee collaborated with the Oklahoma City-based marketing agency Funnel Design Group to create the television commercial 'What If?' for the Science Museum of Oklahoma, which won a Heartland Emmy for Best Commercial Spot of 2014.
In 2011, Jabee partnered with DJBooth.net to produce the Lucky Me EP, featuring Carlitta Durand.
In 2011, Jabee partnered with IMKING clothing to produce the Lucky Me EP, featuring Carlitta Durand.
The With Love Project, a nonprofit art organization, works in collaboration with Jabee and the Oklahoma Mural Syndicate.
The Oklahoma Mural Syndicate, a nonprofit art organization, works in collaboration with Jabee and The With Love Project.
Jonathan Blake Williams Jr., known as Jabee, was born on August 12, 1983, to Monya Caraway and Jonathan Blake Williams Sr. in Oklahoma City. Raised on the East side of the city, he began rapping at age seven and performed on stage by age ten. His early life involved significant challenges, including attending over 11 schools and experiencing homelessness at age 12 following his parents’ divorce. The tragic death of his brother in 2001, who was shot and killed, intensified his commitment to music as a means to support his family. Jabee started recording his own music at 15 and began performing frequently at underground parties and raves. His early musical influences included artists such as 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, Get Boys, Lord Finesse, El-P, and CamRon. He entered the music scene under aliases like MC Jabee or Emcee Jabee, engaging in freestyle cyphers and MC battles across Oklahoma and Texas. His debut release, “Ijuswannamakesomemusic,” was created using a college laptop and marked his entry into professional music after signing with Bombcity Records.
Jabee’s career advanced with the release of “Songs For Debutantes” in 2008 through Bombcity Records and Illroots.com, gaining recognition as one of URB Magazine’s 2008 Next 1000. Collaborations with DJ Vadim led to his album “Blood is the New Black” under Little Mafia Records. In 2011, following his departure from Little Mafia Records to pursue an independent career, Jabee performed at the halftime show of an All-Star Charity Game hosted by Kevin Durant during the NBA lockout. He released EPs “As It Is In Heaven” (2012) and “Deliver Us From Evil” (2013) with producer Thelonious Martin. A significant milestone in 2013 was the release of “Stephanie (Super Ugly),” a 7-inch vinyl single produced by El-P, featuring Carlittla Durand, which was inspired by a childhood memory. This collaboration opened doors for Jabee to join Run The Jewels’ Summer 2013 Tour. He signed with MURS 3:16 and released “Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt,” which debuted at #50 on iTunes charts and premiered on Complex. His track “Ghetto” gained attention on Public Enemy Chuck D’s Sirius station, with Chuck D stating, “Jabee’s music has the potential to change the world.”
Beyond music, Jabee has engaged in community activism and acting. In 2014, he earned a regional Emmy for his work on a commercial for the Science Museum of Oklahoma titled “What If?”, directed by Steve Jones in partnership with Funnel Design Group. His lyrics were featured on building walls during an Oklahoma City upgrade campaign. Jabee also appeared in Nike’s 2014 Kevin Durant commercial, “The Baddest.” His acting roles include a juror in “Gosnell: America’s Biggest Serial Killer” (2015), “Heartland” (2016), and an announcer in the 2020 Netflix release “Full Out 2.” In community work, he organized one of the nation’s largest annual Juneteenth celebrations, addressed food scarcity through his restaurants, and co-founded LiveFree OKC, a nonprofit aimed at halting gun violence. In 2016, he became an honorary professor at the Academy of Contemporary Music @UCO, teaching Hip Hop studies. In 2023, Jabee signed with Mello Music Group and released “The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak” in 2024, featuring production from Evidence, Conductor Williams, Marv Won, and Apollo Brown. He also led a 131-mile march in solidarity with Julius Jones, advocating for justice.
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