Known for his work with Black Star, a hip hop group comprised of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, J. Rawls contributed production on ‘Brown Skin Lady’ and ‘Yo, Yeah,’ which placed him on the map among independent hip hop producers. The album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was critically acclaimed as one of the best albums of 1998 and was a major force in the late-1990s underground hip hop explosion. J. Rawls has also worked with artists such as Beastie Boys, Slum Village, El Da Sensei, Sadat X, Count Bass D, Grand Agent, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Us3 oder Moka Only. J. Rawls has released three solo albums, and contributed to the Neo-Soul movement producing the likes of Aloe Blacc, Eric Roberson, Dudley Perkins, and many others.

His Columbus-based production company and record label Polar Ent. continues to make an impact in the hip hop scene. The latest release entitled ‘Nineteen Ninety Nine (Scenes 1-4)’ features a superb collection of gems and rarities from the late 1990s.