Sporting a sly smile and an arsenal of memorable verses, J-Bru is one of the most charismatic figures in Canadian Hip Hop today. This engaging MC has starred on hit singles and albums as a founding member of the Blazin' J's, solo, and as a guest MC on countless projects, most recently being Classified's hit ‘Believe it or Not' off his critically acclaimed album ‘Hitch Hiking Music'.
J-Bru grew up as Jason Bruce, an athletic youth whose father was a professional boxer as well as musician with ‘The Valiants', a soul group formed in Shelburne, NS. A high school and college basketball star, Bruce used athletics to keep his mind off childhood struggles. During his high school years Bruce secretly wrote poetry, and it was then where he started realizing his talent for wordplay.
After his stellar college basketball career was over, Bruce started recording music with Classified under the name J-Bru. His first release ‘Tell Me What U Like' (2000) sold 400 copies hand to hand and his next release "The Fax' (2001) sold 500. With growing popularity throughout the east coast of Canada, Bru came back with his most critically acclaimed album in 2003 called ‘Underground MC'. With national distribution and a very busy schedule, Bru managed to sell almost 600 retail and 750 hand to hand. His next release ‘Identity Crisis' wwas released on March 27th, 2007 and is being distributed through Urbnet/Universal.
‘Identity Crisis' is a polished and mature album. With the help of his fellow tour mate Classified, who produced at least half the album, J-Bru wants to prove to the world that he is worthy of being a household name.
Career Highlights:
ECMA Nomination for ‘Urban Song of The Year 2003'. ‘Champion' was voted Song of the Month on www.garageband.com, as well; two of his songs have charted in the top 100 of 15,000 songs of all music genres on the site. Television appearances on Much East, Much News, Global television and ATV as well as regular radio appearances on Halifax's CKDU 88.1 FM, along with many other college radio station sacross Canada.
Shows since 1999 spanning from Nova Scotia, Texas, California, Utah, Maine, Vermont, Indiana, Ohio, New York, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec, B.C., Saskatchewan and Alberta. J-Bru has had the pleasure of opening for talents such as Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Cappadonna, Ghostface Killa, The Game, Bishop, Kardinal Offishall, Swollen Members, The Rascalz, Choclair, Jeleestone, Eekwoll & Ndidi Cascade, Definition, Snow, Jully Black, Carl Henry, Checkmate, Mood Ruff, DL Incognito, Maestro and Classified. Contact J-Bru at: jbru82@yahoo.com