Vision Through Verses
Description:... A precious jewel raised on old school music, Jillian (J-Bax) Baxter embodies one half of the elements of Hip-Hop (Rapping and Dancing). She started writing poetry and short stories at age 7. As rap music emerged, she arranged her ideas to music and began rapping at age 13. She was a member of a break-dance crew, The Take Out Crew (T. O. C), who was known throughout the Capital Region for their dance skills. T. O. C. performed at SUNY of Albany, The Albany Boys/Girls Club, The Veterans Hospital, Washington Park, and Wheels Plus Roller Rink. They also danced in a benefit show at The Palace Theater to raise money for the Drakeland Daycare Center. When the group disbanded, Jillian along with another female crew member decided get up off the floor and on the mic and formed the Take Out 2 M. C.s. At that time she performed under the moniker "M. C. Chilly Jill". They took part in various functions around the Capital District such as The Black Arts and Cultural Festival in Albany, NY, The Albany Boys and Girls Club, Washington Park Summer Jam, YWCA Black History Month Program and Wheels Plus Roller Rink rap contest taking 2nd place title. After the duo broke up, Jillian continued to perform. She has recited rap verses for The Burger King Black History Month Show which was aired on public access television. Other performances include: Amateur Night at the College of St. Rose, and a talent show at the Amsterdam Mall in Amsterdam, NY in which she came in 3rd place and Blessings Nightclub in Schenectady, NY. She also won the preliminary round for Ear Jam at Kicks at the Marriott Hotel in Colonie, NY in which she came in 1st place in the Rap Category. She also performed at the Blue Nile in Albany, NY showcasing local artists. Jillian also has had the opportunity rap for artists such as L. L. Cool J. (Strawberry's Record Shop in Albany, NY), Special Ed (The Palace Theater, Albany, NY), Rapper Jalil of Whoodini, (Queens, NY) Run of Run DMC (Run's Studio, Queens, NY), Wyclef Jean of the Fugees (SUNY Albany, NY), and Cam'ron (The Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY). In addition to her rapping skills, J-Bax is also a dancer. She was a regular dancer on F. M. Dance Club which was aired on WXXA T. V. 23 for one season. She also choreographed shows at the Albany Boys/Girls Club. For a number of years, Jillian (J-Bax) was in and out of various studios recording demos trying to take her music from the block party to a bigger arena, but her focused shifted when she became a mother. Holding down a 9 to 5 and being a single parent gave little time for Jillian to concentrate full-time on a music career so she parlayed her skills as a writer into other opportunities. Jillian has free-lanced for a number of on-line and print publications such as Hip Hop Site On-Line Magazine based in Las Vegas, NV and The Hive/Blaze 1 Radio in Atlanta, GA. Prior experience includes Entertainment Editor for Urban Voice Newspaper, as an On-line journalist/photographer for www. Jamz963.com and contributing writer for The Black World Today www.tbwt.net. She was also the Executive Editor of the NY Sojourner-Herald for 5 years. She has written for various publications such as Strictly Vinyl Magazine, Urban Version, and Re Hab 101, in Albany, NY, and The Fever On- Line Magazine based in Boston, MA. Some of the entertainers she interviewed include rappers The Black Eyed Peas, The Fugees, Chuck D and Professor Griff (Public Enemy), Bow Wow, Talib Kweli, Method Man, Consequence, The Ying Yang Twins, Bone Crusher, Young Bloodz, Mobb Deep, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Saigon, Lil' Kim, Lil Zane, The Lost Boyz, The L. O. X., Keith Murray, Black Rob, ?uest luv and Rahzel of The Roots, Cam'ron, A. G., Brand Nubian, Biz Markie, The Jungle Brothers, M. O. P., Ma$e, Smif N Wessun (Coco Brovas), Ooriginal Gunn Clappaz ("O. G. C."), Heltah Skeltah, O. C., Royce Da 5'9, Remy Ma, Singers include Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Usher, The O'Jays, Musiq Soulchild, Anthony Hamilton, Mario, Amerie, Avant, Heather Headley, Chico De Barge, Dave Hollister, Silk, Tyrese, Jesse Powell, Vivian Green, Olivia, Rayvon & Rik Rok, Jaheim, Dru Hill, Next, Alexander O'Neil, Mr. Vegas, Deborah Cox, Ce Ce Peniston, Robin S, Montel Jordan, and Reggae artists Elephant Man and T. O. K. She has also interviewed comedians Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Kool Bubba Ice, Hamburger Jones, Freddie Ricks, Wyatt the 1 Man Riot, Kevin Kevin, Fig, Drew Fraiser, A. G. White, Ian Edwards, Gerald Kelly, Mike B, Mya, Uncle Jimmy Mack, Ray Dejion, Nikki Carr, Boney T, Mike Yard, Cool Herm, Mike B, Kareem Green, Brooklyn Mike, and Kevin Williams. She Interviewed television and radio personalities such as the cast of the Tom Joyner Morning Show (Tom Joyner, Sybil Wilkes, Myra J. and Ms. Dupree), Ralph Mc Daniels ("Video Music Box"), and Sugar Bear (WAJZ Jamz 96.3FM). She interviewed authors Colin Channer "Waiting in Vain", Miranda J. Carr "Dysfunction & Heartache" Book I & II, Yella "Respect The Jux". She has covered major events such as The Million Women March (Philadelphia, PA), The Million Family March (Washington, DC), The Tom Joyner Sky Show (Albany, NY and NYC), Hot 97 Summer Jam '03 & '04 (NJ), and Tavis Smiley Presents: The State of the Black Union (Atlanta, GA 2005). After her stints with writing for various publications and attempting to launch her career to become a legitimate lyricist, Jillian picked up her pen once again and continued her pursuit of poetry. Always incorporating Hip-Hop into the mix, she compiled 140 poems that she has written and produced the collection called "Vision Through Verses". With raw emotion and poems deep as the ocean, Jillian (J-Bax) takes a look at the world around her to get an in-depth view. The eyes are the windows to the soul and her goal is to take the reader on a journey and maybe see themselves or people they know her poetry. Although it may not be 20/20 the vision is clear. The purpose of "Vision Though Verses" is to give new insight and bring the truth to the light.
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