jawnzap7

"Must.Get.Better.Will.Get.Better."

In 1996 Jawnzap7 was a runaway teen. Being homeless, he found himself sleeping in abandoned buildings, on park benches and behind dumpsters. Zap often kept company with heroin addicts and crack heads, living the life of a derelict. Not satisfied with his surroundings, he became acquainted with some artists and poets who squatted in the South Street area of inner-city Philadelphia. Zap discovered his talents for poetry and drumming to be a perfect fit for the cyphers that are now legendary in the folklore of Philadelphia Hip-Hop history. Zap spent his days roaming the streets, rhyming constantly to himself; joining cyphers wherever he could; rhyming with whomever he could; honing his skills at open mics, on street corners and at drum circles. Just about anywhere there was an opportunity to rhyme, Zap could be found. He believes this was his salvation from a life of hell. So, he obsessed over it, until it became what he was known for and above all else, a means of survival.

In 2000, working as both an emcee and producer, Zap helped form the seminal crew Disciples of Discipline. They gained recognition for their self-titled debut album "Disciples of Discipline" in XXL magazine (December 2000), as well as numerous local papers and magazines. D.O.D. became a leader in bringing Indie Hip-Hop to Center City Philadelphia in a time when that seemed impossible. During this time, Zap quickly earned a reputation as one of the city's best live performers and most electric freestylers. Garnering a grass-roots following through activist activities and receiving radio play on college radio D.O.D. went on to release a 7inch single "Starseed Travellers" that was picked up and released worldwide under French record label Kojak Records and a white label instrumental 12inch under Sacred Round Records. Add to that a touring schedule that included much of the U.S., Europe and Canada, Zap had built quite a foundation for success. Zap left D.O.D. in 2002 but they put together a reunion album, "Ya' never Know", in 2005 released on iTunes, also under Sacred Round Records.

After leaving D.O.D., Zap joined the Drum & Bass/Trip-Hop outfit, Robots in Disguise. As an emcee and performing producer in the group, Zap utilized rhyming, beatboxing, and MPC mastery to became an integral piece in a group that was one of the premier live acts in the city at that time. With Robots in Disguise, Zap got an opportunity to play all the large stages in Philadelphia and expanded his fan base beyond the traditional hip-hop scene.

In 2005 Jawnzap7 joined the Live Hip-Hop ensemble Burndown All-Stars. As a member of "Burndown", Zap refined his abilities as a recording & performance artist further by matching talents with the likes of Kuf Knotz, Dave Quicks, Rokbottom and others to form the 12-member super-group that went onto critical, & independent commercial success. As a member of Burndown, Zap was featured on numerous projects including: "Burndown Presents: Vol. 2"-(Burndown Records), "Wake Up"- (Burndown Records), Burndown presents: The Balance-(Rope-A-Dope Records), and was a center piece of their live show. In 2006 Burndown All-Stars won Billboard Magazines Independent Music World Series (Northeast edition), as well as earned a place on cable network, FUSE TV's "Bodog Music Battle of the Bands" reality TV show, which aired for 3 months on FUSE TV in the Summer of 2007. With Burndown, Zap was being shaped into a professional, ready for the industry.

In 2007 Jawnzap7 released his debut solo album "Rubber Teeth & Wax Lips" on his own independently found label, Stay at Home Music. Zap once again made himself a force to be reckoned with. Doing the production almost entirely himself and featuring very few guests, Jawnzap7 proved that sometimes you just have to go get what you want yourself.

Jawnzap7 is now a multi-tiered threat; whether making beats or rocking the mic, Zap has been one of the most consistent Independent Hip-Hop artists in Philadelphia for over a decade. He's rocked stages with legends like The Roots, Common, Mr.Lif, RJD2, Digable Planets, Ratdog (he also holds the distinction of being the first rapper ever to perform with a founding member of the Grateful Dead), Steel Pulse, and many others, at venues like The TLA, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Tipitina's, The Whiskey a-go-go, The Gibson Guitar Center, The Key Club, The Trocadero Theatre, The House of Blues, and World Cafe Live. As well as festivals such as All Good Festival (2006-2008), Camp Bisco, and Opple Topple.

Jawnzap7 has consistently captivated a variety of audiences into feeling the energy, passion, and honesty that he brings to every performance, and recording. With the motto "Must.Get.Better.Will.Get.Better." as a guideline, Zap continues to remain humble and focused on his goals.