My first exposure to JAX was as the hype man to MARS ILL on "Breathe Slow" off their sophomore album Backbreakanomics in 2004. the universe indeed works in mysterious ways, because i didn't know that was him until today, when i learned that he was gone. Jax died early this morning of natural causes, according to his long-time friend, emcee Craig "The Flux" Wonda.
over the last year, i've become a big fan of Jax's crew BINKIS RECS, and was impressed with the self-proclaimed "One Man Gangstarr," who made beats and wrote rhymes for his own records, as well as for his peoples in the Binkis crew. he was a first-rate lyricist, and encouraged his fans to look forward, frowning on imitation of old school artists even as he managed to embody the best of golden-era street hop sensibilities.
i especially recommend that hip hop purists (by any possible means) get their hands on Sharper Images, the only album of his extensive (for an indy rapper, anyways) catalog that i have had the pleasure of hearing, because it's dope! Fans of underground crews like Lootpack, Foreign Legion and Artifacts will enjoy the dead-serious commitment to fun-filled music on Sharper Images and Binkis Recs' The Reign Begins.our heart goes out to his close friends (which i'm sure he had many) and family. i never met him, but his continued contribution to the culture will surely be missed.
Rest In Peace, Jax...
-gM
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