Jazze Pha

Biography

Phalon Anton Alexander, known professionally as Jazze Pha ( JAZ-ee FAY), is an American record producer, songwriter, and record executive. In 1995, he founded the record label Sho'nuff Records, through which he signed R&B singer Ciara in 2003. He produced her 2004 single "1, 2 Step", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and served as executive producer for her debut album, Goodies (2004). Released in a joint venture with LaFace Records, the album achieved multi-platinum certification and established Ciara as a mainstream recording artist.
Alexander has been credited on the Billboard Hot 100-top ten singles "Get Up" also by Ciara and "So What" by Field Mob, the top 20 singles "Let's Get Down" by Bow Wow, "Let's Get Away" by T.I. and "Just Fine" by Mary J. Blige, as well as the top 40 singles "Area Codes" by Ludacris and "Do That..." by Birdman. He is also known for his vocal interjections and appearances as a hype man, backing vocalist, and featured performer on many of his productions. In addition to Ciara, Sho'nuff Records has signed acts including Cherish and Ayo & Teo. As a recording artist, Alexander signed with Elektra Records to release his only album, Rising to the Top×Rising to the Top1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Rising to the Top5:46A2Don’t Cha Wanna4:35A3Ready or Not4:28A4Dance Floor of Life4:38B1Fall Into the Groove3:45B2Just “N” Time4:00B3Jazze’s Thing5:53B4“Go Pinto”3:36 (1990).

Early life

Jazze Pha was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, but mainly based in Atlanta, Georgia. His father is James Alexander, bassist for the Bar-Kays, an influential group on the Memphis soul scene in the 1960s. His mother is named Deniece Williams; however, as Jazze Pha pointed out on the Cam Newton Podcast, she is not the same Deniece Williams as the famous singer. Pha was named after the late Phalon Jones, another member of the Bar-Kays, who died in the December 10, 1967, plane crash that also killed three other Bar-Kays members and Otis Redding.

Career

In 1990, Pha was signed to Elektra Records.
He is known for announcing "Ladies and gentlemen" or "This is a Jazze Phizzle product-shizzle!", both at the beginning and, occasionally, at the end of songs in which he produced.