J. Rawls

J. Rawls
J Rawls at Hip Hop Education Center Retreat, 2023
J Rawls at Hip Hop Education Center Retreat, 2023
Background information
Born
Jason Daniel Rawls

(1974-02-27) February 27, 1974 (age 52)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
GenreHip-hop
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • DJ
  • rapper
  • educator
Years active1998–present
LabelPolar Entertainment
Member of
  • Lone Catalysts
  • 3582
Websitewww.polarentllc.com

Jason Daniel Rawls (born February 27, 1974), known professionally as J. Rawls, is an American hip-hop musician, producer, DJ, educator, and speaker based in Columbus, Ohio. He emerged in the late 1990s underground hip-hop scene, contributing to projects such as Black Star's's debut album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. He is the producer of the group Lone Catalysts with rapper J Sands. Rawls runs a Columbus-based production company and record label named Polar Entertainment, and performs as a DJ.

Music career

Throughout his career, Rawls has developed a diverse body of work. His solo albums include The Essence of J. Rawls (2001), The Hip-Hop Affect (2011), and The Legacy (2014). He is a member of the duo 3582 with Fat Jon of Five Deez, and has collaborated on projects such as Respect Game or Expect Flames (2012) with Casual of Hieroglyphics and Youth Culture Power (2019) with John Robinson, a jazz-infused album addressing challenges in educating inner-city youth.

Academic career

In addition to his musical career, Rawls has established an academic profile. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Cincinnati, a master's degree in education from Ashland University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Ohio University. He has served as an adjunct instructor and visiting artist, teaching courses in hip-hop and music business, and has co-authored Youth Culture Power: A #HipHopEd Guide to Teacher-Student Relationships and Student Engagement. Rawls also directed the Hip-Hop OHIO Patton Education (HOPE) program at Ohio University's Patton College of Education. In 2023, he was hired by Ohio State University to help build one of the first collegiate level hip-hop minor programs in the United States.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Productions

References

  1. ↑ "ARE YOU LISTENING?". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  2. ↑ Danny (October 4, 2011). "Video: J. Rawls – Find A New (ft. Casual of Hieroglyphics)". The Find Magazine.
  3. ↑ Downing, Andy (June 5, 2014). "Beats by J: As local hip-hop icon J Rawls prepares to step back from the scene, the next generation steps up". Columbus Alive.
  4. ↑ "'Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star' Turns 25: A Look Back". BET. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  5. ↑ Rutledge, Bryant (June 5, 2008). "J.Rawls & Middle Child "Thankful"". XLR8R.
  6. ↑ Mock, Brentin (2005-12-22). "DJ Rawls and J. Sands: Lone Catalysts". Pittsburgh City Paper | News, Dining, Music, Best Of, Arts, Film. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ "Lone Catalysts :: Culture – RapReviews". 2026-03-12. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "The New Era Of Music Licensing Has Arrived". License Lounge. 2018.
  9. ↑ Marbury, Donna. "Columbus Educator Jason Rawls Builds Hip-Hop Studies at Ohio State". Columbus Monthly. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  10. ↑ Orr, Niela. "J Rawls - The Hip Hop Effect". Okayplayer.
  11. ↑ Cowie, Del F. (May 2003). "J Rawls - History's Greatest Battles, Campaigns & Topics". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  12. ↑ Bozzer, Mark (August 28, 2012). "Casual and J Rawls - Respect Game or Expect Flames". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Youth Culture Power, by J Rawls & John Robinson". JayARE (J Rawls & John Robinson). Retrieved 2025-01-27.
  14. ↑ "Alumni Spotlight: Jason Rawls". Archived from the original on 5 August 2021.
  15. ↑ LLC, Polar Ent. "Welcome to Polar Ent. LLC". Polar Ent. LLC. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  16. ↑ Pelham (17 March 2021). "OHIO's Patton College of Education implements first ever Hip-Hop based education program to prepare teachers to incorporate culturally relevant pedagogy". OHIO News. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "Patton College of Education | Ohio University". www.ohio.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  18. ↑ "Jason Rawls | School of Music". music.osu.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  19. ↑ Marbury, Donna. "Columbus Educator Jason Rawls Builds Hip-Hop Studies at Ohio State". Columbus Monthly. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
  20. ↑ "Music | Polar Entertainment LLC". Bandcamp. Retrieved August 25, 2020.