Clever Jeff - Year Of The Fly MC (1994)

Description: As an independent artist, Jeff strives to create music with meaning that both moves the feet and heals the soul. Growing up in a household rich with music, his early influences included Roy Ayers, Slave, Ohio Players, Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament, George Clinton and the full roster of soul, r&b, funk and jazz artists. His mother was a singer. His uncles were musicians. By age ten, Jeff was joining in and playing in the jam sessions in the family living room. A talented free-style emcee, Jeff began writing down his rhymes in his late teens. Later on he found his signature singing voice which is described as soulful, honest, smooth and sexy.

In 1993 Jeff caught the attention of Quincy Jones who signed him to his Reprise/Warner Brothers imprint, Qwest Records. 1994′s “Jazz Hop Soul” on Qwest/Reprise spawned several regional hits and much critical acclaim. He has continued to release albums independently over the past 2 decades under his own label, Fatius Walker Records.

Based in Oakland, Clever Jeff writes, arranges, performs and produces all music on his albums. Similar artists include: Guru, CL Smooth, Roots, Mos Def, Sadat X, J Dilla, Gang Starr, Common, Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, John Legend… Jeff has a classic MC style, reminiscent of the early 90′s golden age of hip-hop.