Def Jef

208 fans

Jeffrey Andrew Fortson, born 27 September 1966 in Harlem, New York, is an American rapper who began his career in the late 1980s, first gaining attention with the single "On The Real Tip" paired with "Give It Here" in 1989. He released his debut studio album Just a Poet with Soul on 14 November 1989, a work noted for its politically engaged lyricism and innovative beats, followed by Soul Food on 3 September 1991; the latter cemented his reputation as a thoughtful lyricist. During the early 1990s, Fortson produced for prominent artists such as Nas, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Tupac Shakur, and contributed to the soundtracks of series like That's So Raven and The Game; he also produced the theme for the film Last Limit in 1992. His work earned critical acclaim and positioned him as a notable behind‑the‑scenes contributor to West Coast rap.

Top tracks

03	Give It Here	Def Jef	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:07
	Writer: Jeffrey Fortson / Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
08	Do It Baby	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			06:17
	Composers: John King - Michael Simpson - Matt Dike - Jeffrey Fortson
01	Droppin' Rhymes On Drums	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:21
	Composers: Eric Harris - Jeffrey Fortson
03	On The Real Tip	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:09
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
05	Cali's All That	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:52
	Composers: Anthony Terrell Smith - Michael Ross - Sandy Linzer - Jeffrey Fortson - Matt Dike - Lawrence Brown
08	Shadow Of Def	Def Jef	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:29
	Writer: Roger Samuels - Jeffrey Fortson / Composers: Roger Samuels - Jeffrey Fortson

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Discography

Albums

Soul Food

℗ 1991 The Bicycle Music Company: 01-01-1991

Soul Food

01	A Poet's Prelude	Def Jef	Soul Food			01:43
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
02	Get Up 4 The Get Down	Def Jef	Soul Food			03:46
	Composers: Michael Ross - Jeffrey Fortson
03	Soul Provider	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:00
	Composers: Mark James - Jeffrey Fortson
04	Here We Go Again	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:09
	Composers: Christoper Jasper - Rudolph Isley - Ronald Isley - O'Kelly Isley Jr. - Ernest Isley - Jeffrey Fortson - Marvin Isley
05	Cali's All That	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:52
	Composers: Anthony Terrell Smith - Michael Ross - Sandy Linzer - Jeffrey Fortson - Matt Dike - Lawrence Brown
06	Brand New Heavy Freestyle	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:54
	Composers: James Wellman - Lascelles Gordon - Andrew Levy - Jan Kindcaid - Simon Bartholomew
07	Soul Is Back	Def Jef	Soul Food			04:50
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson

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Just A Poet With Soul

℗ 2012 The Bicycle Music Company: 08-11-1989

Just A Poet With Soul

01	Droppin' Rhymes On Drums	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:21
	Composers: Eric Harris - Jeffrey Fortson
02	Givin' Em Rhythm	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:10
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
03	On The Real Tip	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:09
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
04	Poet With Soul	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:12
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
05	Give It Here	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:07
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
06	Do You Wanna Get Housed	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			04:42
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
07	Black To The Future	Def Jef	Just A Poet With Soul			05:16
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson

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Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)

℗ 2012 The Bicycle Music Company: 08-11-1989

Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)

01	Droppin' Rhymes On Drums	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:21
	Composers: Eric Harris - Jeffrey Fortson
02	Givin' Em Rhythm	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:10
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
03	On The Real Tip	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:09
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
04	Poet With Soul	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:12
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
05	Give It Here	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:07
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
06	Do You Wanna Get Housed	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			04:42
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
07	Black To The Future	Def Jef	Just a Poet With Soul (Deluxe Version)			05:16
	Composers: Jeffrey Fortson

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Singles

Black People

℗ 2026 Salah Ananse: 17-04-2026

Black People

01	Black People	Salah Ananse	Black People			06:46
	Composers: Salah Ananse - Jeffrey Fortson

Featured in

Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto

℗ 1991 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.: 05-03-1991

Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto

01	I'm Different	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			04:16
	Composers: Edward Anderson
02	Speak Upon It	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			05:02
	Composers: Edward Anderson - Ace & Quan - Def Jef
03	Feel Like A Nut	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			03:31
	Composers: Edward Anderson
04	I Got To Have It	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			03:24
	Composers: Hamilton Bohannon - Kevin Bonners - Ted Whiting - Edward Anderson
05	She Said It Was Great	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			03:47
	Composers: Edward Anderson
06	Dedicated To The Right Wingers	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			03:28
	Composers: Edward Anderson
07	Gotta Have Money (If You Ain't Got Money, You Ain't Got Jack)	Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs	Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto			04:10
	Composers: Edward Anderson

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Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

This Compilation ℗ 1990 The Bicycle Music Company: 01-01-1990

Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

01	I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You	Kenyatta	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:38
	Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
02	I Joke But I Don't Play	Tone-Loc	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:26
	Writer: Frederick White - Michael Ross - Matt Dike - Orlando Aguillen / Composers: Frederick White - Michael Ross - Matt Dike - Orlando Aguillen
03	Roots & Culture	Shabba Ranks	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:01
	Writer: R. Gordon - Winston Riley / Composers: R. Gordon - Winston Riley
04	Put The Funk Back In It	The Brand New Heavies	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			03:18
	Writer: James Wellman - Andrew Levy - Jan Kincaid - Lascelles Gordon - Simon Bartholomew / Composers: James Wellman - Andrew Levy - Jan Kincaid - Lascelles Gordon - Simon Bartholomew
05	Welcome To My Groove	Mellow Man Ace	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:53
	Writer: Upliano Reyes - Julio Gonzalez / Composers: Upliano Reyes - Julio Gonzalez
06	Quiet Passion	N'Dea Davenport	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:40
	Writer: Anthony Robinson - Art Freeman - Fil Brown / Composers: Anthony Robinson - Art Freeman - Fil Brown
07	Domino	Masters Of Reality	Marked For Death (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			03:50
	Writer: Masters Of Reality / Composers: Masters Of Reality

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The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal

(P) 1993, 1994 Zomba Recording LLC: 12-11-1996

The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal

01	I'm Outstanding	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			04:08
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon - Roderick Roachford - Raymond Calhoun - Alisa Yarbrough - Jonah Ellis - Lonnie Simmons / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon - Roderick Roachford - Raymond Calhoun - Alisa Yarbrough - Jonah Ellis - Lonnie Simmons
02	Shoot Pass Slam	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			03:31
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon
03	What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock) (feat. Fu-Schnickens)	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			03:52
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Kevin McKenzie - Joseph Jones - Lennox Maturine - Roderick Roachford / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Kevin McKenzie - Joseph Jones - Lennox Maturine - Roderick Roachford
04	Biological Didn't Bother (G-Funk Version)	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			05:07
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - P. Harvey - Anthony Prendatt / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - P. Harvey - Anthony Prendatt
05	Mic Check 1-2 (feat. Ill Al Skratch)	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			03:46
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - L. Grooms - P. Harvey - Anthony Prendatt - A. Constnat / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - L. Grooms - P. Harvey - Anthony Prendatt - A. Constnat
06	Where Ya at? (feat. Phife)	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			04:47
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Malik Taylor - Ali Shaheed Muhammad / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Malik Taylor - Ali Shaheed Muhammad
07	(I Know I Got) Skillz (feat. Def Jef)	Shaquille O'Neal	The Best Of Shaquille O'Neal			04:22
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Jeffrey Forston - Cecil Demetrius Womack / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Jeffrey Forston - Cecil Demetrius Womack

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Shaq Diesel

(P) 1993 Zomba Recording LLC: 26-10-1993

Shaq Diesel

01	Intro	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			01:49
	Writer: Unknown / Composers: Unknown
02	(I Know I Got) Skillz (feat. Def Jef)	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			04:23
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Jeffrey Forston - Cecil Womack / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Jeffrey Forston - Cecil Womack
03	I'm Outstanding	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			04:07
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon - Roderick Roachford - Raymond Calhoun - Alisa Yarbrough - Jonah Ellis - Lonnie Simmons / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon - Roderick Roachford - Raymond Calhoun - Alisa Yarbrough - Jonah Ellis - Lonnie Simmons
04	Where Ya at? (feat. Phife)	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			04:44
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Malik Taylor - Ali Shaheed Muhammad / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Malik Taylor - Ali Shaheed Muhammad
05	I Hate 2 Brag	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			04:32
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - J. Fortson - M. Wells / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - J. Fortson - M. Wells
06	Let Me In, Let Me In	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			03:02
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
07	Shoot Pass Slam	Shaquille O'Neal	Shaq Diesel			03:30
	Writer: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon / Composers: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL - Erick Sermon

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Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits

This Compilation ℗ 2001 The Bicycle Music Company: 01-01-2001

Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits

01	Wild Thing	Tone-Loc	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:25
	Writer: Marvin Bruce Young - Matt Dike - Michael Ross - Tone-Loc / Composers: Marvin Bruce Young - Matt Dike - Michael Ross - Tone-Loc
02	Bust A Move	Young MC	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:24
	Writer: Matt Dike - Jim Walters - Luther Rabb - Marvin Young / Composers: Matt Dike - Jim Walters - Luther Rabb - Marvin Young
03	Give It Here	Def Jef	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:07
	Writer: Jeffrey Fortson / Composers: Jeffrey Fortson
04	Funky Cold Medina	Tone-Loc	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:09
	Writer: Marvin Young - Michael Ross - Matt Dike / Composers: Marvin Young - Michael Ross - Matt Dike
05	Know How	Young MC	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:01
	Writer: Marvin Young - Michael Simpson - John King - Matt Dike - Isaac Hayes / Composers: Marvin Young - Michael Simpson - John King - Matt Dike - Isaac Hayes
06	Never Stop	The Brand New Heavies	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:13
	Writer: Jan Kincaid / Composers: Jan Kincaid
07	Cali's All That	Def Jef	Waxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits			04:52
	Writer: Anthony Terrell Smith - Michael Ross - Sandy Linzer - Jeffrey Fortson - Matt Dike - Lawrence Brown / Composers: Anthony Terrell Smith - Michael Ross - Sandy Linzer - Jeffrey Fortson - Matt Dike - Lawrence Brown

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Stickin' To My Guns

℗ 1990 UMG Recordings, Inc.: 01-01-1990

Stickin' To My Guns

01	Whatever Gets You Through The Night	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			03:48
	Writer: Dan Penn - Bucky Lindsey - Carson Whitsett / Composers: Dan Penn - Bucky Lindsey - Carson Whitsett
02	Love To Burn	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			03:29
	Writer: Bud Reneau - Dobie Gray - Ricky Ray Rector / Composers: Bud Reneau - Dobie Gray - Ricky Ray Rector
03	The Blues Don't Care	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			03:41
	Writer: Etta James - Brain Ray / Composers: Etta James - Brain Ray
04	Your Good Thing (Is About To End)	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			03:52
	Writer: David Porter - Isaac Hayes / Composers: David Porter - Isaac Hayes
05	Get Funky	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			04:45
	Writer: Danny Rhodes / Composers: Danny Rhodes
06	Beware	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			03:39
	Writer: Earl Randle / Composers: Earl Randle
07	Out Of The Rain	Etta James	Stickin' To My Guns			04:33
	Writer: Tony Joe White / Composers: Tony Joe White

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dj honda (Japan Edition)

℗ 1995 dj honda RECORDINGS: 01-07-1995

dj honda (Japan Edition)

01	Dat's My Word	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			05:09
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
02	DJ Battle, Round 1	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			01:25
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
03	Game of Death	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			03:53
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
04	Cold Blooded	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			04:15
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
05	What You Expected	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			04:39
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
06	Freestyle '95	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			04:47
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda
07	Zulu Shout Out	DJ Honda	dj honda (Japan Edition)			01:30
	Composers: Katsuhiro Honda

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Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap

: 12-08-2003

Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap

01	Intro	Various Artists	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			01:06
02	Rapmania	Grandmaster Melle Mel	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			04:08
03	Rapper's Delight	The Sugar Hill Gang	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			02:50
04	Unity	Afrika Bambaataa	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			03:44
05	Droppin' Rhymes On Drums	Def Jef	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			03:08
06	I Got It Goin' On	Tone Loc	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			04:43
07	Pause	Run DMC	Rapmania: The Roots Of Rap			04:30

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Bangin’ Bellybeats

: 15-01-2010

Bangin’ Bellybeats

01	Sidi Mansour (Reggaeton Mix)	Drumspyder	Bangin’ Bellybeats			04:43
02	Desert Escape	Jef Stott	Bangin’ Bellybeats			04:03
03	Move Your Body feat. DJ Grooveryder	Def Jef	Bangin’ Bellybeats			03:40
04	Afrah In the Club	Roger Abboud	Bangin’ Bellybeats			05:52
05	Arabian Impulse	Giacomo Bondi	Bangin’ Bellybeats			03:56
06	Amor Zamani	Drumspyder	Bangin’ Bellybeats			04:10
07	Daret Al Ayam	Petrol Bomb Samosa	Bangin’ Bellybeats			04:03

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Shine

This compilation (P) 2013 Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited: 14-10-1991

Shine

01	Shine	Five Star	Shine			04:45
	Writer: Marva King - Ian Prince / Composers: Marva King - Ian Prince
02	Come To Me (For Love)	Five Star	Shine			04:40
	Writer: Z. Harmon - C. Troy - J. J. Brune - S. B. Cohen / Composers: Z. Harmon - C. Troy - J. J. Brune - S. B. Cohen
03	Some Kind Of Magic	Five Star	Shine			04:49
	Writer: D. Pearson - I. Prince / Composers: D. Pearson - I. Prince
04	Love Can't Wait	Five Star	Shine			04:54
	Writer: D. Pearson - I. Prince / Composers: D. Pearson - I. Prince
05	The Love You Bring To Me	Five Star	Shine			03:44
	Writer: L. Pearson - D. Pearson / Composers: L. Pearson - D. Pearson
06	Right Over	Five Star	Shine			04:37
	Writer: M. King - I. Prince / Composers: M. King - I. Prince
07	The Start Of Forever	Five Star	Shine			04:13
	Writer: M. McGregor - S. Sheridan / Composers: M. McGregor - S. Sheridan

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Old School Rap (Live)

: 01-01-2008

Old School Rap (Live)

01	Intro (Live)	Rap Mania Announcer	Old School Rap (Live)			01:08
02	Rapmania (Live)	Grandmaster Melle Mel	Old School Rap (Live)			04:10
03	Interview 1	Red Alert	Old School Rap (Live)			00:39
04	Rapper's Delight (Live)	Sugarhill Gang	Old School Rap (Live)			02:53
05	Interview 2	Def Jef	Old School Rap (Live)			00:57
06	Unity (Live)	Afrika Bambaataa	Old School Rap (Live)			03:46
07	Droppin' Rhymes on Drums (Live)	Def Jef	Old School Rap (Live)			03:10

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