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Don't Play

from The Best Part by J-LIVE

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $3 USD  or more

     

  • The Best Part (2xLP Red Vinyl) Autographed
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    J-Live's critically acclaimed, historic debut album. Featuring a dream team production lineup of, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Grap Luva, Probe Rocket, and 88 Keys. With classic stand out tracks like, "Them That's Not", "Don't Play", "Vampire Hunter J", "Wax Paper", "Timeless", the title track "The Best Part" and more. Now available in this special double red viny limited edition.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • The Best Part 2X LP Original 1999 "Bootleg" Pressing (Signed Promo Jacket)
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    J-Live's critically acclaimed, historic debut album. Featuring a dream team production lineup of, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Grap Luva, Probe Rocket, and 88 Keys. With classic stand out tracks like, "Them That's Not", "Don't Play", "Vampire Hunter J", "Wax Paper", "Timeless", the title track "The Best Part" and more.

    Super rare first pressing from 1999. Live 99. Signed!

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • The Best Part 2X LP 3TP/Fat Beats Test Pressing (signed)
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    J-Live's critically acclaimed, historic debut album. Featuring a dream team production lineup of, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Grap Luva, Probe Rocket, and 88 Keys. With classic stand out tracks like, "Them That's Not", "Don't Play", "Vampire Hunter J", "Wax Paper", "Timeless", the title track "The Best Part" and more.

    Before moving from New York to Georgia, and changing the label name to Mortier Music, J-Live's imprint was called 3TP, Triple Threat Productions. These are the firsts of an old pressing of a classic. A rare SIGNED offering from the crates of The Live One.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • The Best Part 2XLP (Mortier Music Test Pressing)
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    J-Live's critically acclaimed, historic debut album. Featuring a dream team production lineup of, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Grap Luva, Probe Rocket, and 88 Keys. With classic stand out tracks like, "Them That's Not", "Don't Play", "Vampire Hunter J", "Wax Paper", "Timeless", the title track "The Best Part" and more.

    These are extremely rare black vinyl test pressings of the limited red vinyl run by Mortier Music circa 2019.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Back by popular demand, J-live's debut album in CD format. With new cover design from the original photo shoots. A special twist on a classic album.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Cassette + Digital Album

    Never before released on tape... Until now! J-live's debut album in cassette format for collectors, boom boxes and vintage car stereos. With new cover design from the original photo shoots. A special twist on a classic album.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    J-Live's critically acclaimed, historic debut album. Featuring a dream team production lineup of, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Grap Luva, Probe Rocket, and 88 Keys. With classic stand out tracks like, "Them That's Not", "Don't Play", "Vampire Hunter J", "Wax Paper", "Timeless", the title track "The Best Part" and more. Now available in this special double red viny limited edition.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Best Part via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $35 USD or more 

     

lyrics

Don’t Play

It’s been a
Long time coming but the blood doesn’t flow with the
Wait as we dead all the damn debate.
Anticipate this change gon come. You damn straight. Non
Stop till my name preceded by the great. I get
Around like digital Pac, and been around like the
Ice cream truck on your block, and hold it down with a
Squirt gun deep in your sink, spittin’ around tight
Wisdom making you think. If you around light
Sweetheart you can reflect. Don’t put it down cause you
Need art you cant respect. I know it sound not
Quite like what you expect. Type underground meaning
Not just after the check. If you predict this
Mist you can hardly detect will draw you up plus
Six then you stand correct. Lost and found no
Joke. If you sleep or neglect then suck a dick till it’s
Poking out the back of your neck. Now bring it in.

DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH J CAUSE YOU’LL SEE ON THE
SIDELINES YOUR FANS BE ON MINE
REPEAT

I heard nice guys finish last. But see this theory doesn’t
Quite explain the reason I’m letting yawl rat racers
Leave the gate ahead of time and still politely waiting
For you at the finish line. Some people find it so
Amazing how I put a rhyme together and bring it to
Life like Dr. Frankenstein. I hope you can handle the
Truth cause see I’m frank with mine. So it be seeming like I’m
Actin kinda stank at times. But see my lines are built for
Battle like a tank design. Running through obstacles like
Popeye during Spinach time. I got some rules and
Regulations to diminish crime. And if you follow’em you
Could become a friend of mine. Some catch amnesia with their
Lyrics and remember mine. Then they forget that it’s a
Tool I use to speak my mind. But then they even got the
Nerve to try to freak my rhymes. But they get ate like they was
Paint and I was turpentine. Now bring it in.

REFRAIN

Its been a
Long time going but you still got a bounce in your
Neck till your problems feel neglect. Its
Incorrect if you still detect all of the stress from the
Folks that expect to divide your check. See that’s the
Shit that be making you think soon as your ship comes
In you’ll be ready to sink. The mind state got
Some scared of leaving their block. Phobiatic they’ll be
Going out like Biggie and Pac. Now meanwhile some will
Swing it and it come out great. Find a shorty give you
Wop till you can’t see straight. Tell her bounce in the
Morning she won’t even debate. Call her back next
Night and she just can’t wait. Peep the former home
Alone now he feel irate. Trying to front upon the
Style that the Live create. You hear the same word
Twice and wanna file a complaint. Well check the order of the
Line that’ll set things straight. Now bring it in.

REFRAIN

credits

from The Best Part, released May 1, 2001
Don’t Play
Background vocals: Ike and Swave of CVEES
Beats by 88 Keys for Locksmith Music
Guitar, Bass, Piano, and Moog played by Jeff Davis
Produced and arranged by 88 Keys, J-Live and David Kennedy
(C. Njapa, J. Cadet) Janitorial Duties / ASCAP, Only Child’s Brother’s Music / ASCAP

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

J-LIVE New York, New York

J-Live's music has been a staple of inspiration for listeners of underground hip hop for over 20 years. His discography includes more than 15 full projects, as well as countless guest appearances. The artists and producers J-Live has recorded and toured with are a who's who of hip hop icons from DJ Premier, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Prince Paul, The Roots, Black Star, Wu Tang Clan, and many many more. ... more

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