Book Description

A precious jewel raised on old school music, Jillina (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, Jillina 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, Jillina 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. Jillina 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 RunDMC (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, Jillina (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 Jillina to concentrate full-time on a music career so she parlayed her skills as a writer into other opportunities. Jillina has freelanced for a number of on-line and print publications such as HipHopSite 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 ReHab 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 DeBarge