By Kwame Abasi Patterson
In an effort to promote his upcoming sophomore album “Still Ghetto”, Jaheim Hoagland, aka, Jaheim headlined this fall’s Seagram’s Gin Live multi-city tour. Jaheim claims “Still Ghetto” consists of the same flavor and mood as his last platinum, award winning LP, “Ghetto Love”. “It’s the same feeling. It’s like chemistry. If you make chemistry for the first time it’s like you can never, ever lose that chemistry.” He said. And in the spirit of “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Jaheim will once again provide the ladies with ballads of endless and unconditional love.
With his first release from the new album, “Fabulous” Jaheim speaks of how life is complete and all prayers are answered when you have that right person by your side to support you no matter what problems may arise. His style of singing stems from his love of music. Growing up, Jaheim dreamed of “being like the best”. Some examples he gave were Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, Donnie Hathaway, etc.
“Those were the masters, the musical forefathers.” He says. Jaheim’s voice is often compared to one of the great R&B originators, Teddy Pendergrass, who he also holds in very high regards; however, he doesn’t profess patenting his sound after Pendergrass.
“I feel I have something that Teddy had. I’ve been writing songs since I was a kid, so I’ve been structuring my songs around the way I was hearing music. I probably heard something that Teddy did years ago. But I did it a little different. It’s just a coincidence. I didn’t study the brother or anything. Jahiem said. Jaheim provides his fans with the humbleness and appreciation of life within his music and videos. However, Jaheim’s exterior screams that of a thug or hardcore emcee. And with a dew rag underneath his fitted cap, iced out chain around his neck, wife beater T-shirt, baggy jeans, and Timberland boots some might gather the wrong image of the vocalist.
But Jaheim has had his fill of the hardcore life, and he wishes never to return. “I used to get into a lot of trouble. I can’t go back to that life though. I always used to think to myself ‘Either it’s going to be me or someone else that is going to end up dead.’” Jaheim, who began singing at the young age of three, was born and raised in the projects in New Brunswick, New Jersey. As a child he had to endure the heartaches of poverty, crime and death.
Jaheim’s lost his father when he was only two years old and his mother died when he was 15. During his teenage years, Jaheim often times found him self … getting into trouble. One of the most memorable occasions was when he had to serve a brief stint incarcerated. Nevertheless, Jaheim didn’t let the pain of his youth discourage him. At the age of 15 he performed at the world famous Apollo Theater, where he won first place three times in a row. He eventually got the chance to pass his demo tape into the hands of mega music producer, Kay Gee who served as the executive producer of Jaheim’s first album.
Jaheim doesn’t credit any of his success to luck or coincidence. However, he gives all the credit to his upbringing. “Loss has made me a stronger artist. I sing mainly because I remember I didn’t have shit (nothing), so now it feels good to work hard, I work hard for the people.” He said.
Jaheim also claims his modesties within his songs and videos come from his religious background. “I came up in the church, so I’ve learned to humble myself within, I also remember it was all a dream once, you can never forget that, because you can always go back to how it used to be.” Furthermore he believes you have to keep it plain and simple, because not everyone lives the life of fancy cars, and parties at the pool house. “My music and videos are real because you gotta paint the reality of it, something simple, not to much extra.” Jaheim said. He continues by adding, “Anyone can achieve their dreams if they simply, “keep on the grind, work hard, believe, never forget and put God first.” PUB
Special Note – Jaheim has been riding the urban charts with his Top 10 hits “Fabulous” and “Put That Woman First” from his critically acclaimed approaching platinum CD – Still Ghetto. Jaheim just recently did an exclusive R. Kelly concert in Chicago April 25th at the All-State Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. He will join Patti Labelle as part of her upcoming Summer Tour. Go to www.jaheimmusic.com Stay tuned.
