Johnny J (Born Johnny Jackson)
August 28, 1969 – October 3, 2008
“Johnny J” Jackson was a hip hop producer and rapper who, over the course of his career, produced albums and records that sold in the millions. Born in Mexico and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Jackson’s career kicked into high gear in 1990 when he produced a “one-hit-wonder” for his friend Candall Mason, better known as Candyman. That song was “Knockin’ Boots,” which helped Candyman’s Shame In The Game album go platinum. The success of “Knockin’ Boots” opened the door for Jackson to meet Tupac Shakur, giving him the opportunity to produce tracks on Shakur’s All Eyez On Me and Me Against The World abums. In all, Jackson produced approximately 100 songs for Shakur. In later years, he collaborated with Bizzy Bone and Tatyana Ali. “Johnny J” Jackson was 39 years old when he allegedly commited suicide by leaping from an upper tier of L.A.’s Twin Towers Jail where he was serving time for DUI.