Music of New Jersey
Encyclopedia
The American
state of New Jersey
has a diverse musical culture and history reflecting its diverse population and history.
The square dance
is "the American Folk Dance of the State of New Jersey".
are Hoboken
native Frank Sinatra
, who was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century; and The Four Seasons (group)
who had their first No. 1 hit record, "Sherry
", in 1962. They were the first group to have a falsetto lead: Newark
native, Frankie Valli. The popular group had many hits and held their own against the British Invasion
throughout the 1960s. Frankie Valli went on to a successful solo career. Connie Francis
, Ricky Nelson
and Lesley Gore
were three other New Jersey natives who ruled the pop charts in the early '60s.
Bruce Springsteen
became a 1970s icon with complex lyrical stories about teens growing up in Freehold
and other economically depressed areas of New Jersey. In addition, Francis Hopkinson
of Bordentown
, is perhaps the first American composer. Other famous Jersey musicians include Jon Bon Jovi
, Paper Cut, Richie Sambora
, The Fugees
, Whitney Houston
, My Chemical Romance
, The Smithereens
and Kool and the Gang. George Clinton
was born in Plainfield, NJ. Also, the phonograph record was invented by Thomas Edison
in Menlo Park, and the Victor Talking Machine Company
established its headquarters and plant in Camden
. ApeFight (out of Jersey City, NJ) have had three smash CDs out and can be found on the soundtrack (as the theme song) to the critically acclaimed movie "Accepted".
Three of the state's most famous recording artists, Frank Sinatra
, Dionne Warwick
and Connie Francis
, share the same birth date – December 12.
was an important center for jazz
innovation. James P. Johnson
and other pioneers helped invent stride
. Other famous New Jersey jazzmen include bandleader Count Basie
, saxmen Wayne Shorter
and James Moody
and trumpeter Woody Shaw
of Newark, and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie
who lived in Englewood from 1965 until his death in 1993. Newark was also the birthplace and home of the great jazz singer Sarah Vaughan
– one of jazz's most esteemed vocalists. Bill Evans
was born in Plainfield and attended North Plainfield High School.
Literally hundreds of Jazz albums for Blue Note Records
were recorded in Alfred Lion
's home studio Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
.
was born in Englewood
, but grew up in New York City
. They recorded the single "Rapper's Delight
" which is often considered the first hip hop
single.
Other New Jersey hip hop artists include Redman, Naughty By Nature
, Ice T
, Twin Hype, DJ King Shameek, The Fugees
, Queen Latifah
, P.M. Dawn, Apache
, Joe Budden
, Outlawz
, Outsidaz
, Artifacts
, K-Def
, Akon
, Faith Evans
, Chino XL
, Treach
, Lords of the Underground
, Jus Allah
, YZ
, Poor Righteous Teachers
, Lakim Shabazz
, Tony D
, Shawn Lov, Rottin Razkals
, Biz Markie
, Bub Luv, Wyclef Jean
, Rah Digga
and Milkbone (from Perth Amboy, New Jersey
)
, formerly of Skid Row, is a Canadian singer who has lived in New Jersey for almost two decades and has fronted several bands since his departure from Skid Row. Since the early 1980's, the New Jersey bands Overkill
and Hades has been recording and performing thrash metal
around the world. Trixter
is glam rock
band also from New Jersey. Monster Magnet
is a well known Stoner Rock/Metal band from Red Bank with nearly 8 lp's (on elektra and other labels)
also the well known Thrash Metal band Ripping Corpse
is also from Red bank which features Scott Ruth from The Beast
and Erik Rutan
who later joined Morbid Angel
New Jersey is also home to the highly acclaimed progressive
power metal
band Symphony X
, and funeral doom metal band Evoken
.
Mathcore band Dillinger Escape Plan formed in Morris Plains
A huge part of the New Jersey Metal scene must include the Old Bridge Metal Militia. They were a group of the most extreme metal heads who lived in the town Old Bridge, New Jersey. They would let bands who were touring the area, stay at their houses when they were in town for a gig. Bands like Slayer, Metallica, Anvil, and Motorhead (to name a few). They would get these bands to play at parties in their basements. The Old Bridge Metal Militia were even immortalized in song. The Megaforce compilation Born to Metalize has a track called "One Night in Old Bridge," while Blessed Death had a song called "Knights of Old Bridge".
In several areas of New Jersey, especially Verona
, a large number of teen rock bands have formed. While they all currently share the underground status, a few have released demos, Such as Reverse Order.
Preschool Teaparty Massacre is also from New Jersey
s, primarily in New Brunswick
.
Arguably the most famous and influential punk band from New Jersey is The Misfits founded in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig
, who in 1983 broke from the band and formed Samhain
and in 1988 Danzig. Like the later music of the Misfits, Adrenalin O.D.
is usually credited with igniting the early N.J. hardcore scene in the early 1980s. Other notable punk bands from New Jersey include Bouncing Souls, Squiggy, Streetlight Manifesto
, The Gaslight Anthem
, Titus Andronicus
, The Early November
, Hidden in Plain View
, Senses Fail
, Saves the Day
, Thursday
, My Chemical Romance
, Lifetime
, Midtown
, Patti Smith
, and Bigwig
.
In the late 70's/early 80's the Shore Core Punk rock scene evolved at the Jersey Shore, with its epicenter in Long Branch & Asbury Park. It featured a number of bands on "Mutha Records" including Chronic Sick, Public Disturbance, Fatal rage, The Worst, Dirge and other local bands - Mutha made "the Hot Dog House" in Asbury Park their home base. The Shore also produced the band Shrapnel which featured Dave Wyndorf
, Phil Caivano of Monster Magnet
and Daniel Rey
Rabinowitz.
There are a number of New Jersey punk and hardcore independent record label
. Notably, Don Giovanni Records
has given a home to NJ bands such as Screaming Females
, Noun, The Ergs!
, Hunchback, The Measure (SA), For Science
, Pregnant, Black Wine, Big Eyes, Full of Fancy, Byrds of Paradise, Snakebite and the Degenerics. Bone of Contention from Paramus, NJ was a contributing factor in the straight-edge movement in the late 1980's.
For the mathcore genre, The Number Twelve Looks Like You is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
, local wire networks
, satellite
and the Internet
.
Radio stations WFMU
from Jersey City
, WSOU from Seton Hall in South Orange, New Jersey (winner of awards from publications such as Friday Morning Quarterback, the College Music Journal and Album Network) and WPRB
from Princeton
are three of the most well known independent/college radio stations in America. Newark's WBGO
is one of the country's most important independent jazz stations. WRPR
in Mahwah
has also gained relevance for its rock programming. WGHT
Radio is located in Northern New Jersey, and is a spring board for a long list on On Air Radio Talent. WGHT
formally known at WKER-AM has been broadcasting at 1500-AM since the early 1960s. Jimmy Howes
is currently WGHT's morning show host and Program Director.
Internet radio stations also contribute to New Jersey's music scene. For example, Blowupradio.com, an Internet station devoted to underground Jersey rock, has been contributing to New Jersey's music scene since 2000. Other internet radio stations in New Jersey that contribute to New Jersey's music scene include ThePenguinRocks.com and AltRock.com.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
has a diverse musical culture and history reflecting its diverse population and history.
Official symbols
New Jersey does not have a state song.The square dance
Square dance
Square dance is a folk dance with four couples arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples...
is "the American Folk Dance of the State of New Jersey".
Popular music
Some of the most renowned modern popular musicians from New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
are Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
native Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, who was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century; and The Four Seasons (group)
The Four Seasons (group)
The Four Seasons are an American rock and pop band who became internationally successful in the mid-1960s. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has stated that the group was the most popular rock band before The Beatles...
who had their first No. 1 hit record, "Sherry
Sherry (song)
"Sherry" is a song written by Bob Gaudio and originally recorded by The Four Seasons. It was their first nationally-released single and also their first number one hit, initially reaching the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on September 15, 1962...
", in 1962. They were the first group to have a falsetto lead: Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
native, Frankie Valli. The popular group had many hits and held their own against the British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
throughout the 1960s. Frankie Valli went on to a successful solo career. Connie Francis
Connie Francis
Connie Francis is an American pop singer of Italian heritage and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1950s and 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top concert draw...
, Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
and Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore is an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her 1963 pop hit "It's My Party", which she recorded at the age of 16. Following the hit, she became one of the most recognized teen pop singers of the 1960s.- Biography :Gore was born in New York City, New York. She was raised in...
were three other New Jersey natives who ruled the pop charts in the early '60s.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
became a 1970s icon with complex lyrical stories about teens growing up in Freehold
Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Freehold is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,052. It is the county seat of Monmouth County....
and other economically depressed areas of New Jersey. In addition, Francis Hopkinson
Francis Hopkinson
Francis Hopkinson , an American author, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey. He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania...
of Bordentown
Bordentown, New Jersey
Bordentown City is in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,924. Bordentown is located at the confluence of the Delaware River, Blacks Creek and Crosswicks Creek...
, is perhaps the first American composer. Other famous Jersey musicians include Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
, Paper Cut, Richie Sambora
Richie Sambora
Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, musician, singer, and songwriter who is the longtime lead guitarist of the rock band, Bon Jovi. He and frontman Jon Bon Jovi form the primary songwriting unit of the band...
, The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
, The Smithereens
The Smithereens
The Smithereens are a rock band from Carteret, New Jersey, United States. The group formed in 1980 with members Pat DiNizio , Jim Babjak , Mike Mesaros , and Dennis Diken...
and Kool and the Gang. George Clinton
George Clinton (musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
was born in Plainfield, NJ. Also, the phonograph record was invented by Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
in Menlo Park, and the Victor Talking Machine Company
Victor Talking Machine Company
The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American corporation, the leading American producer of phonographs and phonograph records and one of the leading phonograph companies in the world at the time. It was headquartered in Camden, New Jersey....
established its headquarters and plant in Camden
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
. ApeFight (out of Jersey City, NJ) have had three smash CDs out and can be found on the soundtrack (as the theme song) to the critically acclaimed movie "Accepted".
Three of the state's most famous recording artists, Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
and Connie Francis
Connie Francis
Connie Francis is an American pop singer of Italian heritage and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1950s and 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top concert draw...
, share the same birth date – December 12.
Jazz
In the early 20th century, NewarkNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
was an important center for jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
innovation. James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson was an American pianist and composer...
and other pioneers helped invent stride
Stride piano
Harlem Stride Piano, Stride Piano, or just Stride, is a jazz piano style that was developed in the large cities of the East Coast, mainly in the New York, during 1920s and 1930s. The left hand may play a four-beat pulse with a single bass note, octave, seventh or tenth interval on the first and...
. Other famous New Jersey jazzmen include bandleader Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
, saxmen Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter is an American jazz saxophonist and composer.He is generally acknowledged to be jazz's greatest living composer, and many of his compositions have become standards...
and James Moody
James Moody (saxophonist)
James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player. He was best known for his hit "Moody's Mood for Love," an improvisation based on "I'm in the Mood for Love"; in performance, he often improvised vocals for the tune.-Biography:James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia...
and trumpeter Woody Shaw
Woody Shaw
Woody Shaw was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and band leader, often referred to as the "last innovator" in the jazz trumpet lineage...
of Newark, and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
who lived in Englewood from 1965 until his death in 1993. Newark was also the birthplace and home of the great jazz singer Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
– one of jazz's most esteemed vocalists. Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
was born in Plainfield and attended North Plainfield High School.
Literally hundreds of Jazz albums for Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
were recorded in Alfred Lion
Alfred Lion
Alfred Lion was a Jewish German-born American record executive who co-founded Blue Note Records in 1939 Blue Note recorded many of the biggest names in jazz throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.-Biography:...
's home studio Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Englewood Cliffs is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 5,281. The borough houses the world headquarters of CNBC and the American headquarters of Unilever, and is home to both Ferrari and Maserati North America.Englewood Cliffs...
.
Hip-Hop
The Sugarhill GangThe Sugarhill Gang
The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop group, known mostly for their 1979 hit, "Rapper's Delight", the first hip hop single to become a Top 40 hit. The song uses the instrumental track from the classic hit "Good Times" by Chic as its foundation....
was born in Englewood
Englewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
, but grew up in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. They recorded the single "Rapper's Delight
Rapper's Delight
"Rapper's Delight" is a 1979 single by American hip hop trio The Sugarhill Gang. While it was not the first single to feature rapping, it is generally considered to be the song that first popularized hip hop in the United States and around the world. The song's opening lyric "I said a hip hop, a...
" which is often considered the first hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
single.
Other New Jersey hip hop artists include Redman, Naughty By Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...
, Ice T
Ice T
Tracy Marrow , better known by his stage name Ice-T, is an American musician and actor.He was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved to the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles when he was in the 7th grade. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Army for four years...
, Twin Hype, DJ King Shameek, The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
, Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, P.M. Dawn, Apache
Apache (rapper)
Anthony Peaks , better known as Apache, was an American rapper.Apache emerged from New Jersey in the late 1980s as a front man for the Flavor Unit, a hip-hop group. He first appeared on the Flavor Unit album, The 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit, in 1990...
, Joe Budden
Joe Budden
-Early life:Budden was born in Spanish Harlem, but lived in Queens until he was 12 and from there moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He is one of five boys...
, Outlawz
Outlawz
Outlawz, formally known as Outlaw Immortalz, is an American hip hop group founded by Tupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison. Collectively, they are probably best known for appearing in the video "Hit 'Em Up", in a diss track aimed at Biggie Smalls and other New York...
, Outsidaz
Outsidaz
The Outsidaz was a hip hop group from Newark, New Jersey, perhaps best known through their affiliation with fellow New York area rappers, the Fugees, and Detroit area rappers D12.-History:...
, Artifacts
Artifacts (group)
Artifacts is a hip hop group consisting of El Da Sensei, Tame One and DJ Kaos. They hail from Newark, New Jersey and made underground music that paid homage to the four elements of hip hop...
, K-Def
K-Def
K-Def is an American, New Jersey based, hip hop producer/DJ who has been actively involved in the music industry since the early 1990s. He has recently produced music for artists such as Ghostface Killah and Puff Daddy...
, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, Faith Evans
Faith Evans
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...
, Chino XL
Chino XL
Derek Keith Barbosa , better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American hip hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor of Puerto Rican and African American descent...
, Treach
Treach
Anthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
, Lords of the Underground
Lords of the Underground
The Lords of the Underground are a hip-hop trio based in Newark, New Jersey. MCs Mr. Funke and DoItAll Dupré met DJ Lord Jazz when all three were undergraduates at Shaw University....
, Jus Allah
Jus Allah
Jus Allah is a New Jersey rapper who made his official debut on Jedi Mind Tricks second album Violent by Design in 2000. He is known for his aggressive lyrics that are commonly Afro-centric...
, YZ
YZ (rapper)
YZ is a rapper from Trenton Hills, New Jersey. He is best known for his two early-1990s albums.YZ is the owner of Blackworld Entertainment, a management firm...
, Poor Righteous Teachers
Poor Righteous Teachers
Poor Righteous Teachers is a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989. Often referred to as PRT by its fans, Poor Righteous Teachers are known as pro-Black conscious hip hop artists, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, as...
, Lakim Shabazz
Lakim Shabazz
Lakim Shabazz is a former hip-hop emcee who was one of the founding members of the original version of the Flavor Unit crew. His birth name is Larry Welsh. His stage name refers to the so-called Lost Tribe of Shabazz, which is based on the teachings of Wallace Fard Muhammad...
, Tony D
Tony D
Tony D, born Anthony Depula , was a hip hop legend from Trenton, New Jersey. Although he was a hip hop artist & DJ, he was most famous for being an influential producer in hip hop music. He was the producer behind Poor Righteous Teachers and YZ...
, Shawn Lov, Rottin Razkals
Rottin Razkals
The Rottin Razkals were an American hip hop group signed to Motown Records's sub-label, Mad Sounds Recordings. Composed of three members, Chap, Fam, and Diesel, the group was closely associated with Naughty by Nature, first appearing on their 1993 album, 19 Naughty III on the song "Knock Em Out Da...
, Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
, Bub Luv, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Rah Digga
Rah Digga
Rah Digga is an American rapper. Well known as a long time member of the Flipmode Squad, a hip hop group led by Busta Rhymes, she parted ways amicably with the group in 2007. She has been called "one of rap's most prominent women MCs" by Allmusic and "one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs" in...
and Milkbone (from Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The City of Perth Amboy is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 50,814. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to Raritan Bay.-Name:The Lenape...
)
Hard rock and heavy metal
Skid Row is a New Jersey-based heavy-metal band formed in the mid-1980s and reached the height of its success in the early 1990s. Sebastian BachSebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
, formerly of Skid Row, is a Canadian singer who has lived in New Jersey for almost two decades and has fronted several bands since his departure from Skid Row. Since the early 1980's, the New Jersey bands Overkill
Overkill (band)
Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...
and Hades has been recording and performing thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
around the world. Trixter
Trixter
Trixter is an American hard rock band from Paramus, New Jersey. The band achieved moderate success in the late 1980's and early 1990s but disbanded for several years as glam metal lost mainstream popularity...
is glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
band also from New Jersey. Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
is a well known Stoner Rock/Metal band from Red Bank with nearly 8 lp's (on elektra and other labels)
also the well known Thrash Metal band Ripping Corpse
Ripping Corpse
Ripping Corpse was a thrash metal band formed in 1987 in Red Bank, New Jersey. They released one album, Dreaming with the Dead , and several highly regarded demos. Members included singer Scott Ruth, guitarist Shaune Kelley, bassist David Bizzigotti, drummer Brandon Thomas. They later added future...
is also from Red bank which features Scott Ruth from The Beast
The Beast
- Fictional character :* The Beast is the imagined monster in William Golding's Lord of the Flies* The Beast , a fictional demon in the TV series Angel* Beast , a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe...
and Erik Rutan
Erik Rutan
Erik Rutan is an American heavy metal musician from New Jersey. He currently leads Hate Eternal on lead vocals and guitar and has also spent time with Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse...
who later joined Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida. UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked one Morbid Angel album in its “Top 40 greatest death metal albums”, with their 1989 debut Altars of Madness appearing at number 1...
New Jersey is also home to the highly acclaimed progressive
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
, and funeral doom metal band Evoken
Evoken
Evoken is an American funeral doom metal band from Lyndhurst, New Jersey, that is influenced by the Australian band Disembowelment and the Finnish band Thergothon. The band name Evoken was taken from the Thergothon song found on the Fhtagn nagh Yog-Sothoth demo. The band was founded by guitarist...
.
Mathcore band Dillinger Escape Plan formed in Morris Plains
A huge part of the New Jersey Metal scene must include the Old Bridge Metal Militia. They were a group of the most extreme metal heads who lived in the town Old Bridge, New Jersey. They would let bands who were touring the area, stay at their houses when they were in town for a gig. Bands like Slayer, Metallica, Anvil, and Motorhead (to name a few). They would get these bands to play at parties in their basements. The Old Bridge Metal Militia were even immortalized in song. The Megaforce compilation Born to Metalize has a track called "One Night in Old Bridge," while Blessed Death had a song called "Knights of Old Bridge".
In several areas of New Jersey, especially Verona
Verona, New Jersey
Verona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,332.In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Verona #1 in Essex County and #3 in New Jersey as "Top Places to Live in New Jersey".-History:Verona and several...
, a large number of teen rock bands have formed. While they all currently share the underground status, a few have released demos, Such as Reverse Order.
Preschool Teaparty Massacre is also from New Jersey
Punk and Hardcore
Punk rock and hardcore have played an important role in the music of New Jersey, with many contributing artists who have gained popularity. Many of these bands had their start at basement showBasement show
A basement show is a musical performance, often of the punk rock or hardcore punk variety, that is held in the basement of a residential home, rather than at a traditional venue. These are also sometimes referred to as "house shows" as they can happen anywhere in a residential house, not just in...
s, primarily in New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ music scene
New Brunswick, New Jersey's music scene has been the home to many notable rock bands. New Brunswick has been a center for punk rock and underground music; a scene that thrives on quasi-legal live shows in residential basements. These shows are host to not only local bands, but underground bands...
.
Arguably the most famous and influential punk band from New Jersey is The Misfits founded in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
, who in 1983 broke from the band and formed Samhain
Samhain
Samhain is a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31–November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer...
and in 1988 Danzig. Like the later music of the Misfits, Adrenalin O.D.
Adrenalin O.D.
Adrenalin O.D. was a popular hardcore punk band from New Jersey that existed from 1981 to 1990. They are best known for playing extremely fast music accompanied by humorous lyrics.-History:...
is usually credited with igniting the early N.J. hardcore scene in the early 1980s. Other notable punk bands from New Jersey include Bouncing Souls, Squiggy, Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto
Streetlight Manifesto is an American punk band with many influences from different genres including ska, from New Brunswick, New Jersey fronted by Tomas Kalnoky....
, The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon , Alex Rosamilia , Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz...
, Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus (band)
Titus Andronicus is a punk/indie rock band from Glen Rock, New Jersey, USA, formed in 2005. The group takes its name from the Shakespeare play Titus Andronicus, and has cited musical and stylistic influences as diverse as Neutral Milk Hotel and Pulp...
, The Early November
The Early November
The Early November is an American rock band from Hammonton, New Jersey. The group formed in 1999 and signed with Drive-Thru Records in 2002. , they have released two EPs , as well as two full-length albums...
, Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View
Hidden in Plain View was a five-piece Pop Punk band from northern New Jersey. They formed in 2000 and disbanded in 2007. During their six and a half year run, the group released records with four different record labels , including two full-length albums and three EPs...
, Senses Fail
Senses Fail
Senses Fail is an American post-hardcore band from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Formed in 2002, the line up initially consisted of vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki and being completed by bassist Mike Glita. The band quickly issued their debut EP, From...
, Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
, Thursday
Thursday (band)
Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records...
, My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
, Lifetime
Lifetime (band)
Lifetime is an American melodic hardcore/emo band from New Jersey. Lifetime was formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1997. In late 2005, they announced their reunion.-History:...
, Midtown
Midtown (band)
Midtown was an American pop punk band from Springfield, New Jersey. Midtown was formed in November 1998 by three Rutgers University students, but soon became a quartet. The band took advantage of the fertile New Jersey punk scene to develop a sound that combined elements of pop punk and punk rock...
, Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
, and Bigwig
Bigwig (band)
Bigwig is a hardcore punk band from New Jersey, formed in 1995. They were originally composed of Josh Farrell , John Castaldo , Tom Petta , and Dan Rominski . It is said they got their name from a character in the book "Watership Down", a large, tough rabbit...
.
In the late 70's/early 80's the Shore Core Punk rock scene evolved at the Jersey Shore, with its epicenter in Long Branch & Asbury Park. It featured a number of bands on "Mutha Records" including Chronic Sick, Public Disturbance, Fatal rage, The Worst, Dirge and other local bands - Mutha made "the Hot Dog House" in Asbury Park their home base. The Shore also produced the band Shrapnel which featured Dave Wyndorf
Dave Wyndorf
David "Dave" Albert Wyndorf is the lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist, trombonist, and songwriter for the American stoner rock group Monster Magnet. He is the frontman and only original member of the band.-Early life:...
, Phil Caivano of Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
and Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey is an American musician, music producer and songwriter from New York City best known for his work with the Ramones....
Rabinowitz.
There are a number of New Jersey punk and hardcore independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
. Notably, Don Giovanni Records
Don Giovanni Records
Don Giovanni Records is an independent record label specializing in punk rock. Each year the label puts on the Don Giovanni Records Showcase.-History:...
has given a home to NJ bands such as Screaming Females
Screaming Females
Screaming Females is an independent rock band, often labeled as a punk rock band, from New Brunswick, New Jersey. They have released four full length albums, entitled Baby Teeth, What If Someone Is Watching Their T.V.?, Power Move, and Castle Talk.The band features Marissa Paternoster on guitar...
, Noun, The Ergs!
The Ergs!
The Ergs! were an American punk rock band formed in 2000 in South Amboy, New Jersey, by three high school friends: drummer/lead vocalist Mikey Erg , guitarist/vocalist Jeff Erg , and bassist Joey Erg...
, Hunchback, The Measure (SA), For Science
For Science
For Science was a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey made up of John Slover , Joe Steinhardt , and a rotating rhythm section which at times included members of The Ergs!, and other local bands...
, Pregnant, Black Wine, Big Eyes, Full of Fancy, Byrds of Paradise, Snakebite and the Degenerics. Bone of Contention from Paramus, NJ was a contributing factor in the straight-edge movement in the late 1980's.
For the mathcore genre, The Number Twelve Looks Like You is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
Venues and events
- Live EarthLive Earth-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
, a worldwide television and Internet-streamed benefit music event promoting causes to stop what supporters contend is global warmingGlobal warmingGlobal warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, took place during the spring of 2007 in the state. It used Giants StadiumGiants StadiumGiants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
in East Rutherford as the stage for its American concert venue. A wide array of performers, from a variety of music genres, took part in raising proceeds. Former Vice President Al GoreAl GoreAlbert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
helped organize the effort. - Asbury Park, is home of Convention HallAsbury Park Convention HallAsbury Park Convention Hall is a 3,600-seat indoor exhibition center located on the boardwalk and on the beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built between 1928 and 1930 and is used for sports, concerts and other special events. Adjacent to the Convention Hall is the Paramount Theatre; both are...
, the Asbury Lanes, The SaintThe Saint (music venue)The Saint is a music venue located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It is reminiscent of places like The Cellar Door in Washington, DC, CB's 313 Gallery , and The Living Room in New York City and features live, original music. The Saint opened on November 18, 1994...
and The Stone PonyThe Stone PonyThe Stone Pony, located in Asbury Park, New Jersey, is one of the world's best known music venues. It is known as a starting point for many musicians, first and foremost for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, who were the house-band for much of the mid-seventies, but also for New Jersey natives...
, where Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, deSoLDeSoLDeSoL is an American band based in Asbury Park, New Jersey that describes themselves as "Rock & Roll with a Latin soul." Their second full length album, On My Way, was released on August 7, 2007.-Touring:...
, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes frequented early in their careers, and which is still considered by many to be a "Mecca" for up-and-coming Jersey Shore soundJersey Shore soundThe Jersey Shore sound is a genre of rock and roll popularized at the Jersey Shore on the Atlantic Ocean coast of New Jersey, United States, that goes by a variety of names or, more often, is defined by its artists...
musicians. - The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
gave their first performance as a band at Summit High School in Summit, New JerseySummit, New JerseySummit is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 21,457. Summit had the 16th-highest per capita income in the state as of the 2000 Census....
. - The Izod Center (formerly the Brendan Byrne Arena and the Continental Airlines Arena) is located in East Rutherford.
- Princeton Record ExchangePrinceton Record ExchangePrinceton Record Exchange, located at 20 South Tulane St. in Princeton, New Jersey, is an independent music store. PREX was founded in 1980 by Barry Weisfeld. He had spent five years, beginning in 1975, selling used records from his van at flea markets and college campuses, and wanted to settle in...
, the Northeast's largest independent record store, was founded in 1980 and is located in Princeton, New JerseyPrinceton, New JerseyPrinceton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
. - Giants StadiumGiants StadiumGiants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
is located in East Rutherford. - City GardensCity gardensCity Gardens was a nightclub located at 1701 Calhoun Street in Trenton, New Jersey.The Nalbone family of Trenton and Lawrence, New Jersey, owned the building several years before it became the legendary rock club known as City Gardens. The "City Gardens" moniker was first used strictly as a blues...
Calhoun St. Trenton, New Jersey Famous Punk venue 1978–1998. - The Capitol TheatreCapitol Theatre (Passaic)The Capitol Theatre was an entertainment venue located at the intersection of Monroe Street and Central Avenue in Passaic, New Jersey. Built in 1926 as a vaudeville house, the Capitol later served as a movie theater and a venue for rock concerts.Throughout the 1970s and into the mid 1980s, the...
in PassaicPassaic, New JerseyPassaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
hosted a number of famous acts in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, Motörhead, Ozzy OsbourneOzzy OsbourneJohn Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, Van HalenVan HalenVan Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
, and Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
. - Palisades Amusement ParkPalisades Amusement ParkPalisades Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was situated atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most...
in Fort Lee/Cliffside Park staged major concerts at its famous music pavilion, featuring current pop/rock acts and teen idols, throughout the 1960s. They were hosted by then-WABC (AM)WABC (AM)WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
Musicradio disc jockey Cousin Brucie, a.k.a. Bruce MorrowBruce MorrowBruce Morrow is an American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie.-Radio work:...
. The attraction closed permanently in 1971. Coincidentally, the park's popularity inspired the monster 1962 rock hit, "Palisades Park," by Freddy CannonFreddy CannonFrederick Anthony Picariello Jr. , known as Freddy Cannon, is an American rock and roll singer, whose biggest international hits included "Tallahassee Lassie", "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", and "Palisades Park".-Biography:...
. The tune was written by Chuck BarrisChuck BarrisCharles Hirsch "Chuck" Barris is an American game show producer, film director and presenter best known for hosting The Gong Show and creating The Dating Game. Barris, a survivor of lung cancer, is also an author and claims to have worked for the CIA.-Early career:Barris was born in Oakland, New...
, before his days as a pioneering TV game show producer. - Bloomfield Ave Cafe in located in Montclair on Bloomfield Ave.
- The Basement at Joe's Mill Hill Saloon in Trenton is the center of the state's still thriving punk and alternative scene.
- Maxwell'sMaxwell'sMaxwell's is a music club in Hoboken, New Jersey that also has a restaurant. The intimate venue often attracts a wide variety of acts looking for a change from the New York City concert spaces across the river.-History:...
on Washington Ave. in Hoboken.
Audio broadcasting
Music is broadcast in New Jersey by terrestrial radio stations, cable FMCable radio
Cable radio or cable FM is a concept similar to that of cable television, bringing radio signals into homes and businesses via coaxial cable. It is generally used as cable TV was in its early days when it was "community antenna television", to enhance the quality of terrestrial radio signals that...
, local wire networks
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
, satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
and the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Radio stations WFMU
WFMU
WFMU is a listener-supported, independent community radio station headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, broadcasting at 91.1 MHz FM, presenting a freeform radio format...
from Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, WSOU from Seton Hall in South Orange, New Jersey (winner of awards from publications such as Friday Morning Quarterback, the College Music Journal and Album Network) and WPRB
WPRB
WPRB is a commercial broadcasting, non-profit 14,000 watt college radio station, once part of Princeton University, broadcasting from Princeton, New Jersey. The majority of on-air and management staff consists of Princeton University students, in addition to a board of trustees comprising...
from Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
are three of the most well known independent/college radio stations in America. Newark's WBGO
WBGO
WBGO is a public radio station broadcasting from Newark, New Jersey. The station primarily plays jazz music. In addition the station airs public affairs programming, locally-produced newscasts, traffic reports from Metro Traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours, and NPR-produced newscasts...
is one of the country's most important independent jazz stations. WRPR
WRPR
WRPR is a freeform student radio station. Licensed to Mahwah, New Jersey, United States. The station is currently owned by Ramapo College of New Jersey.Its calls were assigned on October 9, 1979, and it began broadcasting on 1980-07-15....
in Mahwah
Mahwah, New Jersey
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".The area that is now Mahwah was...
has also gained relevance for its rock programming. WGHT
WGHT
-External links:...
Radio is located in Northern New Jersey, and is a spring board for a long list on On Air Radio Talent. WGHT
WGHT
-External links:...
formally known at WKER-AM has been broadcasting at 1500-AM since the early 1960s. Jimmy Howes
Jimmy Howes
Jimmy Howes is a radio disc jockey and talk show host, stand-up comic. New York City On-Air Radio Host under dozens of different synonyms. Morning Show Host on Jukebox Radio, New York City, Mid-Day host with WVNJ, Program Director and a morning show host of WGHT...
is currently WGHT's morning show host and Program Director.
Internet radio stations also contribute to New Jersey's music scene. For example, Blowupradio.com, an Internet station devoted to underground Jersey rock, has been contributing to New Jersey's music scene since 2000. Other internet radio stations in New Jersey that contribute to New Jersey's music scene include ThePenguinRocks.com and AltRock.com.
Sources
- Andrea Witting, (2007) All Grown Up The Movie, U.S. Chaos cited interview, extensive.
- Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-71-7.
External links
- JerseyMic.com - Open mic reviews from all over New Jersey.
- Fallout Entertainment Group - The Fallout Entertainment Group Presents:New Jersey Artists and artist development
- Central NJ Musicians
- Jersey music.com
- The Penguin – online radio station playing all Jersey artists at night