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It is with a heavy heart that I report tonight to all those that might not of yet heard, that Johnny Jackson AKA Johnny J has been reported on several websites to have had committed suicide while being held in LA county jail on a DUI. Sources report that Johnny threw himself off a high rise tier on Oct. 3rd, killing himself.
Johnny J was born in Juarez, Mexico in 1969. He was raised in South Central Los Angeles to adoptive parents. Known primarily for being one of Tupac's go to beatsmith's, I consider him one of the all-time greatest Latino producer's Hip-Hop has ever known. Johnny J broke into the game by producing "Knockin' The Boots" for his high school classmate Candyman. The song was on Candyman's platinum-selling album "Ain't No Shame in My Game", and catapulted Johnny into high demand as a producer. From there he would meet the legendary Tupac Shakur. The two hit it off immediately and became friends. They recorded nine songs in three days, most of which were added to the "Above The Rim" Soundtrack and Tupac's "Thug Life" LP. From there Johnny would continue working with Tupac and put a heavy stamp on one of the best rap albums ever in Pac's "All Eyes On Me"; producing tracks like "All About You", "How Do You Want It" and "Life Goes On". Johnny also handled the overall bulk of the production for the classic album (11 tracks) cementing his spot in Hip-Hop history forever. As time would go on Johnny and Pac would record over 100 songs together, many of which sadly never were released in their original form with Johnny J's production.
As we struggle to come to grips with this tremendously incomprehensible tragedy my thoughts go out to Johnny's close friend's and family. I can only hope that Johnny is somewhere without pain and perhaps got to speak with his old friend Tupac for awhile. In his untimely departure I remember how many countless times his music resonated with me and served as the perfect back drop for one of the greatest artist's ever to rhyme over.
-BIG D O
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