Dwele, Common Sense, Talib Kweli and Lucy Pearl; just a few names of musical influences for emcee Don Jay Live, born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. With close ties to the underground Hip/Hop scene in Chicago, Don Jay Live’s music re-introduces listeners to originality. With a fuse of poetic, intellectual and Christian vibes, as seen on “Depart” (2018), Don Jay Live is into the science of melodies; reaching back to Church hymnals and 90’s rap hits for inspiration. He stretches his pen often as a songwriter while finding time to deliver a unique live sound, with poignant vocal tones and hesitative entrances on verses. Don Jay Live does this gracefully, as captured on 4M Bruddanem’s debut EP, “FOR MY GRANNY NEM” (2024).