Intro/Contact Info

Welcome to Jay Steele's A Refreshing Contribution album website. To contact Jay please see below. PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to view the entire site by scrolling down alone. To view the entire site, please see all sections listed on the right side of the page under December (2023). If they are not visible already, simply click on December to view all sections. Then click on the desired section.

to contact Jay you can email him at steele104@aol.com

Discography (Jay's Album History)

 

Album Artwork & Credits

  

The front cover drawn by Jay and painted by his wife Big Cee

             The back with track listing drawn by Jay and painted by his wife Cee

The side of what would have been the CD packaging. This is the 1st album Jay put out without a CD. He did this because he understood that 85% of music is being heard digitally. 

The letters that Jay hand drew for this cover are below (with some glow effects added in photoshop). He didn't use his logo from For Tha Love on this EP, because it didn't seem to look right with the other art.

MORE ART below if you scroll down

 

The CD design that would have been for this EP with Jay's hand drawn letters for the album title and his name.

This would have been the credit page. 

This would have gone underneath the CD in the package

Biography (Album Notes)

  

BIOGRAPHY

     Jay Steele, a disabled, hip hop lyricist, is back with his EP album A Refreshing Contribution. He’s Steele standing apart from the crowd providing lyricist lovers with profoundly positive and meaningful content. This time around in fact, Jay produced more than half of the tracks himself while again throwing rap back to the golden days of greats like Rakim, Tribe, and Kane.

    This project packs a versatile array of musical sounds, vibes, and high minded rhymes imbibed with creative concepts not typically associated with hip hop or popular music.  In a bit of a departure from his previous album, the more lighthearted For The Love, A Refreshing Contribution’s themes largely center on dealing with adversity and delving into ways to attempt to assist listeners in coping with life’s struggles. As a whole, the lines of the rhymes Steele provides could be described as a musical version of the idea behind Chicken Soup for the Soul.

    Jay says that A Refreshing Contribution was chosen as the title because, “I was taught that to find and maintain peace and serenity, I shouldn’t be seeking what I can get out of life. Instead, I should be finding ways that I can help and contribute.” He also gives his take on the state of the rap genre, while further explaining the meaning of the album title, on the song Rhyme Service with the lyrics, “If it’s [rap] losin’ its heart - my solution is – to make a contribution to the art.”

    Musically, this EP's beats are diverse and dynamic. From the serene synthesizer sounds of Curses to Blessings, to the warm, smooth, and laid back guitar serving up Musical Soup for tha Soul, to the dramatic and cinematic piano and electric keyboard of Courtesy of Adversity and Tha Golden Age of Rap respectively, there appears to be a vibe to suit nearly any mood. As he did on his previous album, Jay Steele, aka Tha Human Echo Machine, once again performed each and every echo on this EP live without the aid of studio generated effects. 

    He’s composed a litany of releases, but with this edition, he’s redefining and multiplying the meaning of the term artist as a musician. Jay crafted all the songs, but in addition, he actually also produced the entire album artwork exhibition! A Refreshing Contribution’s artwork, which Jay managed to draw by hand, encompasses the lyrical themes of the yin and the yang, the philosophy stemming from ancient eastern wisdom that asserts that the bad can help us to appreciate the good (and is an inextricable part of life and balance). The art also portrays concepts found throughout the music of finding peace amidst the inevitable storm.

   Jay's drawings were done in pencil, and they were then painted by his wife "Big Cee," who also drew and painted the lightning and the trees found on the front and back of the artwork display. This is the first project in which Jay chose not to press a CD (due to the trend of the majority of listeners utilizing digital rather than physical sources), but he still chose to feature the entirety of what would have comprised the CD package art on his website.

    Though most may not see it, the artwork on the back is breathtaking. It depicts a serene and peaceful scene of a pagoda at night, with the darkness being lit up by shining stars spelling out the track's titles. In essence, the songs are stars in the sky representing light shining through the darkness of night (literally and metaphorically).

     Jay colored and drew the strikingly beautiful bamboo on the album art credit page too. With his disability (severe fibromyalgia), he admits it wasn't easy to execute. "It took me months," he says. "To avoid long lasting hand and wrist pain from overuse, I had to really pace myself. I did 30 minutes here and 30 minutes there over the course of many days. In the end, I think I appreciated it more because of what I had to go through to get it done. It became like a metaphor for patience and enjoying the journey."

     Steele began rhyming while residing in Echelon, NJ, not far from his birthplace of Philadelphia. Jay has come a long way since his early days of raps racked with anger and vengeance (assembled after a tumultuous childhood). He hails from a musical family in which his grandfather was a tremendous harmonica player and both his mom and aunt are violinists who were named All City Philadelphia in high school. Steele further details this musical heritage on the song Musical Family from his previous album For Tha Love.

     Essentially, this EP amounts to an array of anthems for advancing against adversity. Jay Steele’s work is poignant, thought provoking, resonant, and inspiring, particularly to those who have survived tough times. Long time lovers of the art of rhyme are more than likely to be highly satisfied by what many will say is truly A Refreshing Contribution.

Possible Quick Description

This EP sounds like Pete Rock & CL Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, or O.C. accumulating an array of anthems for advancing against adversity in a hip hop version of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Sounds Like: Pete Rock and CL Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, De La Soul, O.C.

Biography Short Version Below

Jay Steele, a disabled, hip hop lyricist, is back with his EP album A Refreshing Contribution. He’s Steele standing apart from the crowd providing lyricist lovers with profoundly positive and meaningful content. This time around in fact, Jay produced more than half of the tracks himself while again throwing rap back to the golden days of greats like Rakim, Tribe, and Kane.

    This project packs a versatile array of musical sounds, vibes, and high minded rhymes imbibed with creative concepts not typically associated with hip hop or popular music. A Refreshing Contribution’s themes largely center on dealing with adversity and delving into ways to attempt to assist listeners in coping with life’s struggles. As a whole, the lines of the rhymes Steele provides could be described as a musical version of the idea behind Chicken Soup for the Soul.

    Essentially, this EP amounts to an array of anthems for advancing against adversity. Jay Steele’s work is poignant, thought provoking, resonant, and inspiring, particularly to those who have survived tough times. Long time lovers of the art of rhyme are more than likely to be highly satisfied by what many will say is truly A Refreshing Contribution.

* for a shorter version the last paragraph can be cut

Jay's Drawings

Part 1 (Art by Jay)

Part 2 (More Art by Jay)

Part 3 (Jay's Earlier Drawings)

Jay's drawings/art can be found at the 3 links above

Photos of Jay

Part 1 (For Tha Love Photoshoot)

Part 2 (Various)

The photos can be found at the 2 links above

LYRICS (Musical Soup for Tha Soul)

If you lookin' for a ray of hope - this is ways to cope - when it's cold 

it's musical soup for tha soul                                                                     CHORUS 1

My father was abusive and said my mom was stupid - support herself? he said

she couldn't do it and he knew it - he tried this one job - results he didn't yield

he quit - then my mom joined the top of this field - in hindsight sayin' success

in her life - it was born right out of spite - crazy right? the same plight  she made

it right - ain't it nice - when the type of nice victim take a chance - and the 

circumstances flip and land winnin'? we didn't plan missin' or the hand we was

given - but I'll be damned if we didn't take a stand to get fixin' (our circumstances)

I understand that's the mission when pain hit and rain drip and - stay sane and 

stay livin' and never let the hate make ya give in - let it make ya driven wit' a 

vision to help others that's strugglin' - wit' love - that's upliftin' - that's the lessons

I've learned and been given - while livin' - thru wild livin' I've been in and trials

I was flippin' (into)

Musical Soup for Tha Soul - 'cause my goal is not to fold - but to rise     CHORUS 2

find ways to thrive - help others with the struggles of their lives

in trouble I'ma strive to find the calm in the middle of the storm wit my mind

Musical solace - like watchin' Mister Rogers - some doctors did tests - showin' 

goin' in nature - seein' animals lowers stress - they laughter is the best medicine

injectin' this into my daily regimen - a veteran - hugs not drugs - they've shown

by showin' love wit' your arms - (it) can reduce some harm - in the body like a 

charm - on top of laughin' is distraction - like the action of gettin' a book and 

readin' - to get out my head - I'm leavin' - or seein' a movie might move me 

to see a view I need - breathe - (echo) a meditation can help my elevation 

to a better place and better station - my occupation to find ways to help my

community - which grants me some immunity from depression - I got that 

arrested - by focusin' on what I have as my blessings - yes whenever I'm tested 

I'm mindin' this message - gotta get my rest in wit' my daily stretchin' regimen (and) 

I avoid negative heads - instead I find friends wit' kind minds and respect that'll

help - that's not obsessed with they self - or findin' wealth - for me music works

well - to find relief wit' a beat - to find peace - or just seek it to enjoy it

like many people I employ it - self pity I avoid it - life is short - I'm'a try to find

the joy in it and spread it - I try to do this wit' my rhymes and my message

when you get it - I hope that you spread it too - investin' in a better you - I don't

dwell in negativity - I dwell in positivity and all the grand things that's upliftin' me

and how I can be more forgivin' and givin' and livin' in this way - I stay more amazed

to see givin' things away helps me feel more free - and helpin' others - it seems 

even more it helps me - when I give - I receive - it seem I don't get what I want 

but I get what I need to find peace that I seek

Why don't you come down to my vibe now?                              OUTRO/Alternate Hook

LYRICS (Enlightenment aka Serenity)

It's magic and enchanted when embraced and understanded - and it's free wit no fee

the epiphany I see - it's not all about me - it's about you and me - the community 

we paid in mutual aid - it's a miracle - the spiritual economy - a gift that I honestly 

embrace - it's for life not a race - and it's movin' that we all human and one race

I'm not tryin' to blow up and get stuck - 'cause it suck - when you run out your time

outta luck - I survived and I'm finally growin' up - one person that didn't die 

workin' the stop suicide line - worth more than any shine - or ride - they survived

that's my high - and it's natural - factual - it's actual in my soul holy mackerel 

this beauty is collateral - mathematical - crossin' cultures universal - that selfishness

can hurt you - so I try to pursue bein' selfless - seein' wellness in

Serenity - Enlightenment - a better me is what I get - tryin to rise     CHORUS

to selfless when I'm at my best - with love I provide as my guide 

not my pride - I can thrive when I realize and find my (serenity)

I don't seek ice (jewelery) and rides (cars) - what I seek - peace of mind - my serenity

I get to be a better me - the lesson helpin' others - (is) helpin' me - as I get older I 

wanna be like Yoda livin' in the mist above my pagoda - where I modify my bonsai

tree - bamboo by me - tryin' to better me - my wisdom it is higher still a fire rhyme

supplier - I'm livin' in the moment wit' my focus hocus pocus - lines for a higher 

purpose - wit' honor - not tryin' to be above everybody - I'm tryin to love everybody

see inside and find my kindness - find love and provide it - wit' grace like I'm glidin'

by the light that's shinin' inside - love as my guide - no longer blinded by my pride

and I've come to find - my purpose is to find how I can try to be of service 

and it works if you work it for

the rhythms be movin' thru my mind - I'm inclined to respond right back at that 

in kind - my reply is precise - 'cause I rhyme nice - so it's like - kid I do this for 

the love - I rise above shine (fame) and ice (diamonds) - still not out for entitlement

("not out for entitlement" - Take My Advice by Tha Truth aka Jay Steele reference)

my route find enlightenment - I'm writin' it - my incite recitin' it - not for the

likes I get - but to guide lives that might be helped by it - my environment is higher

wit desire to inspire kids to seek bein' selfless - not heeding greed and selfishness

I'm rebellious so the mainstream's irrelevant - my desire - to acquire more intelligence

my soul I'm not sellin' it - out for health and wellnessness - tellin' it - not to be sellin it

but for a higher path and development - that's why I delve in it - the rap Dalai Lama 

I'ma thrive with my persona - a conjurer - of positivity - which to me is

As a man - I wanna right - every wrong that I do - that I can - to me - that's what it 

means to be a man - I'm tryin' to make amends - risin' from a boy - joining men

I'm finally arriving at maturity in the end (echo)

 

LYRICS (Courtesy of Adversity)

If you lookin' for struggles overcomin' - I'm the one and

if you lookin' for struggles overcomin' - that'll be

if you lookin' for struggles overcomin' - you'll see some and

if you lookin' for struggles overcomin' - that's me                         Alternate Chorus

I've been scratched in the face - laughs and hate - blasted fate - asked 

to wait - miles (of) piling trials - I was wracked in disgrace - I realized 

kinda late what takes place creates and shapes - buildin' character

makin' me who I am - and I stand

Overlooked - Underestimated - the pain that we've taken can make      CHORUS

a great story get created - it's burned in me - Tha School of Hard 

Knocks University - I appear courtesy of adversity spurring me

They said my mom couldn't make it in the business world as a girl doin'

math - an outcast - that's rash - she won't last but in the end her track

record with cash - we lost track of the plaques and awards she amassed

back in the days he rapped with K-A-N-E (Big Daddy Kane) but still

no (record) label in N.Y.C (New York City) wanted to sign with Jay-Z

he rapped like this and that on the track - it was fast - so many was 

gassed (hyped up/excited) - but visitin' the labels was whack (bad) 

they still passed - of course he would blast to the spot of the top with

the ROC - but the R-O-C - was his own independently effort see 

in the end he was best left to be - we know the end of legends but the

message I'm spreadin' - it's not about the successes but how much you

overcame so you could get it - which addresses the fact that adversity

can serve as a blessing - yes and my session can arise the times and

the climbs of the lives that can rise (when)

KRS (iconic rapper KRS-One) was living in a shelter for the homeless

and Tupac (iconic rapper) met a manager (before the fame) who was 

well connected (in the industry) - he took his music to every label in

the west (coast) but none of them said yes - but he prospered see when 

he got with (met) (iconic rapper) Shock-G - knockin' the Golden Girls

Dorothy - Bea Arthur see - they said she didn't look right to shine in

the limelight - and light skinned Christopher Williams - they said that

he was too light to sing with that kind of might - they said little

Muggsy Bogues didn't have the right height - then there was Nash 

I mean Steve (Nash) and they said he couldn't compete with the elite

in the league (NBA) the future (2 time) MVP - he and Curry I mean

Steph (Curry) they addressed that mess as just talk and then just kept

walkin' the walk in the game until they made the Hall of Fame - it's a

shame that the critics criticize and deride (echo) but in time it lit the

drive for our rise and we thrive (show 'em)

If you can believe it and dream it - then you can achieve it - when it

hurts it seems the pain reign/rain (double meaning) - but maybe 

there's a reason - it's crazy 'cause when the pain is relievin' - it make

everything seem better even - I don't pretend - I get zen like adversity's

my friend - in the end it's the fire drivin' rhymes that I penned (wrote)

I'll explain - I wrote Tha Underdog (from For Tha Love album) song

that's the name - in that lane invoke the one too Beauty from Pain 

(from Solid Steele album) in that same vein it's odd - it seem my 

whole catalogue I've supplied - it's that yin and yang vibe (echo)

many times I was tried - would hide when I cried - and thought 

this time I might die but surprised I survived with my - doctorate

from School of Hard Knocks and Wild Times - it's I - alumni

alumnus - some gift - and from this - I was pissed (echo) until

I learned it turned into this

LYRICS (Rhyme Service)

community service - tunes be my rhyme service            INTRO/OUTRO

joy - I try to furnish rhyme service my purpose               Alternate Chorus

community service - tunes be my rhyme service

help - I try to furnish - rhyme service my purpose

What I find refreshin' is my selfishness endin' and my contribution spreadin' 

in my microphone message - not for me but for others who are lyricism lovers

they say find what your gift is and give it away - and Jay live by this everyday

every way that I can - to me - that's what it means to be a man - and that path

of spreadin' love anyway that I can - I'm trying to subjugate my ego while helpin'

other people - I believe we all equal and not to be deceitful - this path helps me 

deal with stress that life's sendin' me - so I can keep my joy - my peace and 

serenity - anger, fear, and hate get me nowhere near great - but tryin' to help 

and love - I find I rise above - grown up style - now I  rhyme wit' a purpose

to see how I can provide my maximum service

My knack yo I made this - for those that appreciate it         CHORUS

I just wanna drop somethin' positive in this hip hop apocalypse - and take it back

to the days and the nights when Chubb Rock preached Treatin' 'em Right - and

MC Lyte had a message - The Roots wit' The Lesson so ill wit' no question

originality - it was an art gallery showcasin' creativity that don't die - why - cause

it lives in me - and many others - hip hop lovers who do this for the music wit'

a message - we usually independent - my message - if it's losin' it's heart - my 

solution is to make a contribution to the art - and spark the days of old like 

De La Soul and BDP - the Fugees and O.C. - hopefully you gonna love it

my consciousness I gotta trust it - plus it's how I rise above it - the masta blasta

the bring back the past-er - (one bringin' back past vibes) after - you hear this

tune finish - provin' this music's (hip hop) not diminished - it's a visit from the 

adjective enhancer - the verbal necromancer (wizard/magician) - the high school

English award trophy carrier (echo) that cut half his classes - still managed a 100

average (in English/Language Arts) - my character - the underdog that blasted thru

barriers - the master dancer marrier (Big Cee the choreographer) the happier vision

the description listin' whiz whose mission's him contributin'

I say what your craft is - do it and use it - for me it's the music - usually movin me

for me to see - how my raps can react and impact those around me - from the 

sound that surround me - undoubtedly I'm not rhymin' for diamonds - I'm rhymin'

tryin' to bring smilin' to those I can see - 'cause when I give I receive - not greed

it's not all about livin' for me - but what can I contribute to the stream of life 

and that's my theme on the mic - but for you it might be thru dancin' or art or

startin' to volunteer to find ways to bring cheer or needed services achieved 

I believe that's what our purpose is - I nurture it with this - tracks that I conceive

that's not braggin' what I achieve - but not just what my rhymes is - I'm tryin' 

to find kindness - tryin' to live by principles I find timeless and align it in my 

lines wit' this rhyme I provide it's

Make somethin' for someone wit' skill that you bring            OUTRO

when you give it to someone - this song you can sing

LYRICS (Tha Golden Age of Rap)

INTRO

It's the return (echo) of (echo) Tha Human Echo (echo)

this gonna be like Tha Rhyme Conductor part 2 - super charged

look out (echo)

I'm in [this] to give 'em what they missin' [in rap] livin' with a health condition

still rippin' (rappin very skillfully) it like a hurricane twistin' winds flippin'

rap faster - the occasion I'm made to capture - matter fact there's 2 eras

before Jay rapped - and after - step into the next chapter - the ever after

the "outlaster" - I'm ill (skilled) down to the plasma - The Golden Girls laugher

fan of the Black Panthers (1960's human rights activists) the man - damn right

I'm inspired by my wife dancer (a choreographer who taught me how to dance)

the profound - broken down - in the sound - track drafter - I'm - open minded

bury stereotype smasher - the way back Jay music had mad improvement 

to master - the make a second voice and switch - the mic to myself passer

I'm unrated - force of nature like a natural disaster - MCs (rappers)

can't see me with all the glasses in LensCrafters - the political rapper 

with the tracks dissin' NAFTA - the most explosive finisher - the bringer 

of - the blaster

I'm molded by the days raised in the golden age             CHORUS

molded - molded by the days raised in the golden age    Chorus alternate version

This is dedicated to creators innovatin' this - they paved the way these days 

Jay display this exhibited - I flip it witness the intricate - wit in this - wittiness 

it's I - my business - rhyme fitness limitless - deliverance hittin' this

flippin' like the winds of a twister flippin' bins - I got props (admiration) for Marley Marl

and Grandmaster Flash - for raps path to advance and enhance the craft (of rappin')

this track cast a fire in mind - my desire - giving flowers to the founders (of rap)

ignition to the power - of Jay aka the loomin' human rhyme shower

wit tracks I snap back like rubber - rap wonder - the snare I hit that on that

clap like thunder - recognize I got lines an all-time rhyme conductor

demonstratin' - it's the rap appreciatin' - rap lover - my uncovered this 

number - when I discovered

My sound like I'm down with Doc Brown (Back to the Future reference) I'll expound

I got props for (Akrika) Bambaataa - the Planet Rocka - the god father of this

hip hop saga - that bebop and Jazz evolved into - deserving words for Kool Herc

and crews doin' early work - graffiti writers and the breakers makin' somethin

outta nothin' - rappin over beatboxin' as percussion - it was somethin that was 

sparked in the park and unleashed - as a move to start peace - thru breakdancin'

and rappin' that was used to compete - replacin' youth gang bangin' in the streets

the golden age came when old ways raised in displays by Rakim and Big Daddy Kane

like heaven '87 to '95 the prime time - and jazz and rap blend into Jazz Rap then

the category - in time I'd find that in my story - like A Tribe Called Quest and

I must confess yes them days ain't gone - they live on in this song ('cause)

Graffiti writers sparked the start with their mark on the art

then DJs run in with scratches that come in

as a 3rd rap served mad (a lot) words that was heard

over beatboxing with the mouth - that was sounds

the moved the breakin' crews gettin' down in downtown

in the Bronx (New York) it was created - more than songs they was makin'

the 5 elements of the rhyme's foundation - sometimes (they) sayin'

that knowledge that's the 6th (element) that's why I'm droppin' (rappin') this

It's a quote - I heard was wrote - it said don't die - wit' your music            OUTRO

still inside - that's why I still rhyme - with the golden age in mind

it ain't old school rap - it's classic rap

glad you took part in this rap seminar 

LYRICS (Curses to Blessings)

Mistreatment that I got as a kid - taught me to be compassionate

I see that as a gift - in the past and since - I've learned the lesson of perception

and this is progression - remembering - that life is 10% of what happens

and 90% that's how you look at it - in my mind it's a habit - it's like magic

positivity can be infectious - and Jay I can say I attest to this - when it's a mess

it's a gift - in time I'd find on my way - in my raps (now) I turn and try to give 

this away for free - it gets me out of me - you see - it's not all about me

it's the we I try to help and get out of my self and my learned selfishness

I try to learn selflessness - and learned that this is the best type of gift that in 

time converts curses into blessings showin up when 

Growin up learning lessons - seeing curses turn to blessings 3x

I guess that's the lesson I've assessed in my my adventures            CHORUS

This beat is like zen why pretend I don't do this music embedded in my heart

Why start to listen to those close minded blinded by stereotypes - I've learned

it's just rhymes - and everybody like rhymes - that's why we all use 'em to

remember - cause they're clever and appealing to the ear - why fear that I'm 

different? I'll embrace it as a gift - it's exquisite and a thrill - to not just be 

some type of run of the mill typical - not lyrical - I'd rather be aligned with 

the pinnacle - that'd be like a miracle for me - 'cause back in the days they'd 

say - Jay can't rap - and laugh behind my back - I was just tryin' to find my way

on track - it's bliss - 'cause now I can say - it - did - this - it fits like it's karma

now I'm armed with the ability - to make great tracks willingly - and rap 

skillfully - and have others relate through their pain and their mistakes and 

the growth - when it's tough and it's rough growin up

on the court - on the street - 5 feet - 6 inches - not tall when I was grown

but on the street I was known - for pounding (the ball) down the hole - rebounding

I was swole with the muscle from the hustle and the grind in the gym (weights)

damn - there goes the left handed man - it's a scam - I'm a righty but got mighty

when I broke my right thumb - and kept playing in a cast - learned to use my

left one - they get the display with both hands - Jay was the man banging boards

like a champ - like Horace Grant - there were cheers - till fibromyalgia ended 

my career - now I'm here on the mic - it feels right - like a blessing in disguise

in time I came to view it as a climb - as a high - as a rise - as if I found my 

purpose I could do until I die - I find curses can be blessings - a lesson at a time

that we don't wanna hear - full of fear in the mind - it resolves - time inches

and our problems get solved - on our way to finding purpose - things hurt us

we're resilient - in the searches for the meaning - the things that I've learned

all of it is leading - to being all types of selfless in my life

No duda  - amor - es el mas importante cosa - con mi esposa            OUTRO

(no doubt - love - is the most important thing - with my wife)

trato adaptar y trato cambiar - quiero aceptar y quiero mejorar          CHORUS 2

(I try to adapt and I try to change - I want to accept and I want to improve)

Discography (Jay's Album History)

Extra Large Discography Below