J-Hood

Joshua Hood, better known as J-Hood is a rapper formerly of D-Block, but now of On Da Grind Ent. and Koch Records. He is known for his diss record against Mims, "One Hit Wonderman."

Early life
J-Hood was born in Newport, North Carolina to a single mother. They did not have much and his mother was struggling to find work. Because of this, she would move to Yonkers, New York. He attended elementary school in Yonkers and would graduate from Roosevelt High School. It would be around age 12 that he began rapping, at age 15, he got discovered by DMX. DMX would introduce him to Sheek Louch of D-Block, with whom he would immediately sign to their label.

Music career
After signing with D-Block Records in 2001, J-Hood was featured on various songs by D-Block and was on different Ruff Ryders' songs. They would give J-Hood a distribution deal with Universal Records. Despite this, J-Hood still found himself releasing mixtapes instead of studio albums as they saw various pushbacks during his tenure at D-Block/Universal. In the month October during 2007, J-Hood asked to be released from D-Block Records, saying he wanted to do something for himself. He quickly founded his own label, On Da Grind Ent., and secured a distribution deal with Koch Records. He would then announce plans to release his debut album, The Rebirth, through On Da Grind and Koch. The album featured one single, "One Hit Wonderman." The song is noted because it is a blatant diss to fellow New York emcee, Mims. On the song he criticizes Mims for "Like This" not being as big as "This Is Why I'm Hot," and for Mims only making commercial music. J-Hood would go on a United Kingdom tour to promote the album throughout the late summer and fall of 2007, and finally released his debut album on November 6, 2007. The album has gained him comparisons to his mentor, DMX, and some critics say that J-Hood could be the future of hip hop. His album was noted because it featured no guest appearances and disses to D-Block. The album was praised for its hardcore lyrics, but panned for its mediocre production. The Rebirth did not see much commercial success. A month after his debut release, Koch Records convinced J-Hood to release another album due to him recording so much music. On December 4, 2007, J-Hood released his second album, The Hood Is Back. His second album featured two singles, "Put Ya Hands Up," and "Ooh Baby." Since forming an alliance with 50 Cent and G-Unit, J-Hood has moved his On Da Grind camp to an exclusive deal with Interscope Records. His third album will be released in August 2008, it is currently untitled, but will feature production from Sha Money XL, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Akon, Cool & Dre, among others.

Business ventures
J-Hood owns his own label, On Da Grind Ent., more commonly known as ODG. The label houses Stikk Man, A.P., Ant Milli, and his group On Da Grind.

Discography

 * 2007: The Rebirth
 * 2007: The Hood Is Back

Singles

 * 2007: "One Hit Wonderman"
 * 2007: "Put Ya Hands Up"
 * 2008: "Ooh Baby"

Mixtapes

 * Big Mike,DJ Drama & Supa Mario - The Countdown
 * The Hood is Back
 * DJ Scoob Doo - The Beginning of the End
 * Big Mike - The Countdown 2
 * The Last of a Dying Breed
 * The Babyface Gangster Exlusives
 * Hood Stripes