JD Era

{{short description|Canadian rapper and lyricist}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = JD Era | image = | image_size = | landscape = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | alias = Era the Great | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|4|15|mf=y}} | birth_place = | origin = Toronto, Ontario, Canada | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = Hip hop, R&B | occupation = Rapper | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2005-present | label = Up North Music | associated_acts = Nas, Gza, Kardinal Offishall, The Clipse, ONYX Raekwon, Bobby V, Mac Miller, Frank-N-Dank, Tony Touch, Onyx Dave McIntyre | website = {{URL|eraday.com}} }}

'''JD Era''' (born April 15, 1985) is a Canadian rapper and lyricist. He has worked with artists such as Nas, Gza, Kardinal Offishall, The Clipse, and has also cut several tracks with longtime friend Drake. In 2008 he won Best Rap at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, and also won the TAG Records’ Survival of The Freshest competition. He has also released a number of mixtapes and singles, and in the Juno Awards of 2013 his album ''No Handouts'' was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year.<ref name="noiseyfeatures"/><ref>[http://torontoist.com/2013/02/local-artists-are-well-represented-amongst-2013-juno-nominees/ "Local Artists Are Well Represented Amongst 2013 Juno Nominees"]. ''Torontoist''</ref>

==Early life== JD Era was born on April 15, 1985, and raised in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto, Ontario.<ref name="pressfourteen"/> He began listening to rap at a young age, particularly to groups such as Wu Tang Clan and the song "C.R.E.A.M."<ref name="comeupint"/> Rapping by the age of fourteen, he began writing his own rhymes at sixteen.<ref name="pressfourteen"/> He started freestyling in local rap battles as he grew older, stating "I always knew in the back of my mind that I would do [rap]. Rap was taking up too much time and money for me to not take it seriously. I just always wanted to get better and loved the music." A friend, Bad Nuze, brought him into his studio for a number of recording sessions, and JD Era stated "I never looked back." About his name, "JD is my initials and Era is a timeline. Just my way of saying its my time."<ref name="wuint"/> Around 2003 he signed with his long-term manager, Mike "Major" Malabre of The Product.<ref name="made in"/>

==Music career==

===2005-10: Early years=== JD Era has stated that one of his earlier difficulties was going from being a battling Emcee to writing his own full songs.<ref name="muchmusicinterview"/> In 2005 he recorded his first singles: "Ride Clean" and "Take Me Home." They became his first songs to receive airplay on urban radio stations,<ref name="wuint"/> including Flow 93.5 and 91.5 The Beat.<ref name="pressfourteen"/> His first mixtape, ''Prince of the North,'' was released on July 14, 2007, on The Product and Black Market Music. A single from the album, "Paper Chase," had a music video filmed as well, increasing his exposure nationally.<ref name="muchmusicinterview"/>

In 2008 he was nominated for two DJ Stylus Awards, and that year at the Toronto Independent Music Awards he won Best Rap.<ref name="wuint"/> He continued to freestyle even as he worked in the recording studio, and also in 2008 he was named winner of the TAG Records’ Survival of The Freshest freestyle competition.<ref name="wuint"/> He was also later named the Champion at the Marc Ecko Freestyle Competition.<ref name="wuint"/> Around 2008, Major, JD Era, and Fase became co-owners in Black Market Music Group, which has ties with Universal Music Group.<ref name="made in"/>

His track "25th Hour" was included in the mixtape ''Dame Hustle The Hip Hop Experiment'' by Stricklee Hip Hop in February 2009. Around 2010 he was a member of the group Wise Guys, along with Bishop Brigante, Ken Masters, Jonny Roxx, Young Tony (aka Hush) and Drake. According to ''Hip Hop Canada'', "The group’s biggest claim to fame as a unit was several diss songs including 'Goodnight & Goodluck' and 'Good Riddance.'"<ref name="hiphopmarytour"/>

He released the mixtape ''I'm Coming to America'' in 2010 on Black Market, which increased his exposure in the United States, and had production from artists such as Drake.<ref name="muchmusicinterview"/> At Flow 93.5’s Real Frequency Awards, ''Coming to America'' was nominated as Best Mixtape.<ref name="wuint"/>

===2011-12: ''Th1rt3en-Black Tape'', touring=== JD Era released his mixtape ''Th1rt3en-Black Tape'' on February 22, 2011, through Black Market and Universal Canada. The music videos for the mixtape's tracks "You Know This and "Fame & Fortune" both charted on Much Music and other music countdowns.<ref name="wuint"/>

For 2011 and 2012 he wrote the theme song for The Score network's ''Court Surfing'' NBA program, which was broadcast in Canada.<ref name="wuint"/> On April 26, 2011, Black Market released "The Score: Couch Surfing Theme," later followed by the second season's version.

He and his manager met Raekwon in April 2011{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}<ref name="wuint"/> at a show in Winnipeg,<ref name="exclaimeint"/> stating"He had heard my name going around the city and wanted to meet me."<ref name="wuint"/> Later that summer they toured together with 13 dates in Canada and forty in the United States.<ref name="wuint"/> On January 17, 2012, JD Era self-released the single "Payday 2," which featured Raekwon. By May 2012 he was touring across Canada, having at that point been to British Columbia, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan.<ref name="comeupint"/> By the summer of 2012 he had wrapped his Unexpected Victory Tour with Raekwon.<ref name="exclaimeint"/> As of 2012, he is the only Canadian artist signed to ICE20, the record label associated with Raekwon.<ref name="noiseyfeatures"/>

===2012-13: ''No Handouts''=== In 2012 he also began working on his next album. Raekwon assisted with A&R,<ref name="comeupint"/> with producers such as 9th Wonder, Lex Luger, and Burd X Keyz.<ref name="comeupint"/> ''No Handouts'' was released on October 2, 2012, on Black Market.<ref>[http://www.besobossy.com/2012/08/jd-era-no-handouts-review-ice-h20/ "JD Era No Handout Review"]. ''Be So Bossy''.</ref> An invite-only listening party for the album, however, had been held at the IC H20 office in Toronto on May 1.<ref name="comeupint"/> Several videos were filmed for the album, including for the track "Smoking Good."<ref name="exclaimeint"/> He later toured in support of the album across Canada,<ref name="exclaimeint"/> and in the Juno Awards of 2013 ''No Handouts'' was nominated for the Rap Recording of the Year.

===2013-present: Singles, ''Barz Vol. 1''=== In July 2013 he was a guest artist on the Tony Touch track "Unorthodox," also featuring Ghostface Killah, RZA, and Raekwon. The track's album reached #14 on Top Rap Albums. On August 6, 2013, he and Bishop Lamont also were guest artists on "Kill Kill Kill" by Mad Child, included on the album ''Lawn Mower Man,''<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25016/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-11-2013 "Madchild Landscapes The Charts As The Lawn Mower Man"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815050133/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25016/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-11-2013 |date=2013-08-15 }}. ''HipHop DX''.</ref> which reached #3 on the Canadian charts.

In December 2013, former collaborator Bishop Brigante joined JD Era on the Toronto stop of Era's Do You Know Mary? Tour.<ref name="hiphopmarytour"/> The tour later traveled to Ontario, with other guests such as Rich Kidd.<ref name="hiphopmarytour"/><ref name="hophiprichkiid"/> In January 2014, he headlined a show with Honey Cocaine,<ref name="hiphophoney"/> and the next month played four Ontario dates while headlining with Rich Kidd.<ref name="starglowhiphop"/> He has performed live with artists such as Nas, GZA, Kardinal Offishall, Tyga, Drake, Method Man, Red Man, Raekwon, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Gucci Mane, The Clipse, Mac Miller, Terminology, Currensy and Freddie Gibbs.<ref name="wuint"/>

His mixtape ''Barz Vol. 1'' was self-released in March 2014, and made available for free online. The album was mixed by DJ T.LO,<ref name="hiphopcanadabarz"/> and music videos were released as well, with "Rice In Chinatown" directed by Machete Cortez, and "That Ain't My Style" produced by RoadsArt.<ref name="hiphopcanadabarz"/> At the same time, he also launched his website, EraDay.com.<ref name="hiphopcanadabarz"/> In June 2014 JD Era released the music video for his track "Mary," on his #EraFriday series of singles. The music video was directed by DubPlate Films.<ref name="hooksdubplae"/> As of 2014 he is signed to Black Market Music, and is still managed by Major of The Product Management.<ref name="theproducer"/>

==Personal life== While based in Mississauga, he has spent time living and working on music in New York City,<ref name="noiseyfeatures"/> and has performed in the UK.

==Awards and nominations== {|class="wikitable" !Year !Award !Nominated work !Category !Result |- |rowspan="1"|2005 |rowspan="1"|Marc Ecko Freestyle Competition |JD Era |Freestyle |{{Won|Champion}} |- |rowspan="1"|2006 |rowspan="1"|Pony Freestyle Contest |JD Era |Freestyle |{{Won|Champion}} |-

|rowspan="1"|2007 |rowspan="1"| TAG Records’ Survival of The Freshest |JD Era | |{{Won}} |-

|rowspan="2"|2008 |rowspan="1"| Flow 93.5 |''Coming to America'' |Best Mixtape |{{Nominated}} |- |rowspan="1"| Toronto Independent Music Awards |JD Era |Best Rap |{{Won}} |-

|rowspan="2"|2010 |rowspan="1"|IMTA Awards |JD Era |Best Rap Artist |{{Won}} |-

|rowspan="2"|DJ Stylus Award |JD Era |Best Rap Artist |{{Nom}} |- |rowspan="1"|2011 |JD Era |Best Rap Artist |{{Nom}} |-

|rowspan="2"|2013 |rowspan="1"|MOBO Awards |JD Era |Best Rap Artist |{{Won}} |-

|rowspan="1"|Juno Awards |''No Handouts'' by JD Era |Rap Recording of the Year |{{Nom}} |- |}

==Discography==

===Solo albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;" |+ Albums by JD Era ! Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:12em;"| Album title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| Release details ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:15em;"| Certifications |-

|2007 ! {{nobold|''Prince of the North ''}} | * Released: July 14, 2007 * Label: The Product / Black Market * Format: CD, digital | |-

|2008 ! {{nobold|'' Coming to America '' (JD Era and Wristpect)}} | * Released: August 2008 * Label: self-released * Format: digital | |-

|2011 ! {{nobold|'' Th1rt3en-Black Tape ''}} | * Released: Feb 22, 2011 * Label: Black Market / Universal Canada * Format: CD, digital | |- |2012 ! {{nobold|'' No Handouts ''}} | * Released: Oct 2, 2012 * Label: Black Market * Format: CD, digital | *Nominated: 2013 Juno Award |- |2014 ! {{nobold|'' Barz Vol. 1 ''}} | * Released: March 2014 * Label: Self-released * Format: digital | |-

|}

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Incomplete list of songs by JD Era as a primary artist and performer ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:17em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Album ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:13em;" | Label |-

|rowspan="1"|2007 !scope="row"|"Paper Chase" | ''Prince of the North'' || The Product / Black Market |-

|rowspan="1"|2009 !scope="row"|"25th Hour" | ''Dame Hustle The Hip Hop Experiment'' || Stricklee Hip Hop |-

|rowspan="2"|2010 !scope="row"|"Beats Keep Bumpin" (with Magnum 357) | ''The Storm'' || None |- !scope="row"|"First and Last" | ''Rap Is Alive Vol. 1'' || DJ Mitch Cuts |-

|rowspan="2"|2011 !scope="row"|"The Score: Couch Surfing Theme" | Non-album single ||rowspan="2"| Black Market |- !scope="row"|"Cover Girl" (ft. Bobby V) | Non-album single /'' Th1rt3en-Black Tape '' |-

|rowspan="6"|2012 !scope="row"|"Payday 2" (ft. Raekwon) |rowspan="3"| Non-album single ||rowspan="2"| self-released |- !scope="row"|"Couch Surfing 2012" |- !scope="row"|"Comeback Season" |rowspan="4"| Black Market |- !scope="row"|"Smoking Good" |rowspan="3"| '' No Handouts'' |- !scope="row"|"Hate Me Later" (ft. Mac Miller) |- !scope="row"|"The Greatest" (ft. Raekwon) |-

|rowspan="1"| !scope="row"|"Money" (ft. Mezzaih, Fever) | ''Liza Heat Vol 2: Rookie Of The Year'' || DJ Naeem & DJ Phila |-

|}

===Guest appearances=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Incomplete list of songs with featured performances by JD Era ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:2.5em;" | Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:17em;" | Single name ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:10em;" | Primary artist(s) ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Album ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Label ! scope="col" rowspan="1" | Notes |- |rowspan="1"|2006 !scope="row"|"What Up (International Remix)" (ft. JD Era, Shawn Jackson) | Frank-N-Dank || EP 12" || Chisel Sound || |-

|rowspan="1"|2008 !scope="row"|"Get Money" (ft. JD Era, Tona) | Art of Fresh || ''Back to the Earth'' || Soulclap Inc. (CA) || |- |rowspan="1"|2011 !scope="row"|"Papito" (ft. Ceazar, Reason, JD Era) | DJ Symphony || Non-album single || Ceazar || |-

|rowspan="5"|2012 !scope="row"|"Money Girl" (ft. JD Era, Captain Hooks) | Chase Milly || Non-album single || Black Market || |-

!scope="row"|"Just A Toast" (ft. JD Era) |rowspan="4"| Raekwon ||rowspan="4"| ''Unexpected Victory'' ||rowspan="4"| Be Music || rowspan="4"| |- !scope="row"|"Goodfellas" (ft. JD Era, Camoflauge) |- !scope="row"|"Soldier Story" (ft. JD Era) |- !scope="row"|"Gangsta Cazals" (ft. Camoflauge, JD Era, Styles P) |- |rowspan="2"|2013 !scope="row"|"Unorthodox" (ft. JD Era, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Raekwon) | Tony Touch || ''The Piece Maker, Vol. 3: Return of the 50 MCs'' || Red River || #14 Top Rap Albums |- !scope="row"|"Kill Kill Kill" (ft. JD Era and Bishop Lamont) | Mad Child || ''Lawn Mower Man'' || Battle Axe ||#3 Canada Chart |-

|}

==Further reading== *{{cite news |title = Video: JD Era Interview |url = http://www.muchmusic.com/music/rapcity/interviews/pid/121491/jd-era |publisher = Much Music |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143341/http://www.muchmusic.com/music/rapcity/interviews/pid/121491/jd-era |archivedate = 2014-07-14 }} *{{cite news | title = JD Era: No Hand Outs Interview | url = http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/JDEra_Interview.htm | publisher = Wu-International.com | date = January 17, 2012 | archive-date = February 9, 2013 | access-date = July 3, 2014 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130209205448/http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/JDEra_Interview.htm | url-status = dead }} *[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jd-era-mn0001509299/credits JD Era Discography] at Allmusic *[http://www.discogs.com/artist/1185559-JD-Era JD Era Discography] at Discogs

== References == {{Reflist|2| refs =

<!-- <ref name="">{{cite news | title = | first = | last = | url = | newspaper = | publisher = | date = | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

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<ref name="pressfourteen">{{cite news | title = JD Era: Last FM | first = | last = | url = http://www.sonicbids.com/band/jdera3/press/ | newspaper = last.fm | publisher = | date = | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="made in">{{cite news |title = Major Interview |url = http://www.madein72hrs.com/?m=201105 |publisher = Made in 72 Hours |date = 2011 |accessdate = 2014-06-25 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183413/http://www.madein72hrs.com/?m=201105 |archivedate = 2014-07-14 }}</ref>

<ref name="theproducer">{{cite news | title = Digital Waxx 2.0 - JD Era feat. OB - Not Around | url = http://hiphopencounter.com/2010/10/digital-waxx-20-jd-era-feat-ob/ | newspaper = | publisher = Hip Hop Encounter | date = 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="muchmusicinterview">{{cite news |title = Video: JD Era Interview |url = http://www.muchmusic.com/music/rapcity/interviews/pid/121491/jd-era |publisher = Much Music |accessdate = 2014-06-25 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143341/http://www.muchmusic.com/music/rapcity/interviews/pid/121491/jd-era |archivedate = 2014-07-14 }}</ref>

<ref name="exclaimeint">{{cite news | title = JD Era Interview | first = Ryan B. | last = Patrick | url = http://exclaim.ca/Interviews/WebExclusive/jd_era | newspaper = | publisher = Exclaim.ca | date = 2012 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="hooksdubplae">{{cite news | title = JD Era – Mary ft. Captain Hooks (Dir. DubPlate Films) [Video] | first = Dutch | last = Unkle | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/06/jd-era-mary-ft-captain-hooks-dir-dubplate-films-video/ | newspaper = Hip Hop Canada | publisher = | date = June 6, 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="hophiprichkiid">{{cite news | title = JD Era, Rich Kidd, A-Game & more at Roc The Mic in Toronto on May 31 [News] | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/04/jd-era-rich-kidd-a-game-more-at-roc-the-mic-in-toronto-on-may-31-news/ | newspaper = | publisher = Hip Hop Canada | date = April 17, 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="starglowhiphop">{{cite news | title = JD Era and Rich Kidd: The 5 STAR GLOW Tour kicks off on Feb. 22 [News] | first = | last = | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/02/jd-era-and-rich-kidd-the-5-star-glow-tour-kicks-off-on-feb-22news/ | newspaper = Hip Hop Canada | publisher = | date = February 12, 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="hiphophoney">{{cite news | title = Honey Cocaine & JD Era to headline in Toronto on Jan. 25 [News] | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/01/honey-cocaine-jd-era-to-headline-in-toronto-on-jan-25-news/ | newspaper = | publisher = Hip Hop Canada | date = January 22, 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="hiphopmarytour">{{cite news | title = JD Era and Bishop Brigante reconnect on Do You Know Mary? Tour [News] | first = | last = | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2013/12/jd-era-and-bishop-brigante-reconnect-on-do-you-know-mary-tour-news/ | publisher = Hip Hop Canada | date = December 16, 2013 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="hiphopcanadabarz">{{cite news | title = JD Era – BARZ Volume 1 [Mixtape] #Premiere | first = Dutch | last = Unkle | url = http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/03/jd-era-barz-volume-1-mixtape/ | newspaper = Hip Hop Canada | publisher = | date = March 27, 2014 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="wuint">{{cite news |title = JD Era: No Hand Outs Interview |author = Dark 7 Invader and The Reccollectah |last = |url = http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/JDEra_Interview.htm |newspaper = |publisher = Wu-International.com |date = January 17, 2012 |accessdate = 2014-06-25 |archive-date = 2013-02-09 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130209205448/http://wu-international.com/misc_albums/Interviews/JDEra_Interview.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref>

<ref name="comeupint">{{cite news | title = Interview: JD Era tells us about No Handouts mixtape concept, Raekwon's advice, shift in Toronto scene | first = | last = | url = http://thecomeupshow.com/2012/05/18/interview-jd-era-tells-us-about-no-handouts-mixtape-concept-raekwons-advice-shift-in-toronto-scene/ | newspaper = The Come Up Show | publisher = | date = May 18, 2012 | accessdate = 2014-06-25 }}</ref>

<ref name="noiseyfeatures">{{cite news | title = JD Era: Getting Out Of The Kitchen | first = Tania | last = Peralta | url = https://www.vice.com/en/article/jd-era-getting-out-of-the-kitchen/ | newspaper = | publisher = Noisey | date = April 4, 2014 | access-date = 2013-06-21 }}</ref>

}}

==External links== *{{URL|eraday.com}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140613082253/http://eraday.com/ JD Era] on Facebook *[https://twitter.com/jdera JD Era] on Twitter *[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxZPDUZULxZXQFDtK3oITw JD Era] on YouTube *[https://www.youtube.com/user/ICEWATERTV/videos JD Era/IceWaterTV] on YouTube

{{DEFAULTSORT:Era, JD}} Category:Living people Category:Canadian male rappers Category:21st-century Canadian rappers Category:Rappers from Toronto Category:1985 births Category:21st-century Black Canadian musicians Category:21st-century Canadian male musicians