Just a Poet with a Soul

Just a Poet with Soul is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Def Jef. It was released on November 14, 1989, through Delicious Vinyl.^[1] The album was produced by the Dust Brothers, Def Jef, and Michael Ross, who also served as executive producer. It features contributions from N'Dea Davenport and Etta James on vocals, Kevin O'Neal on bass, Michael Kory on piano, and Julio G on turntables. The album produced three singles: "Droppin Rhymes on Drums", "Black to the Future" and "Poet with Soul".

Just a Poet with Soul
Studio album by Def Jef
Released	November 14, 1989
Recorded	1988–89
Genre	Hip hop
Length	51:25
Label	Delicious Vinyl
Producer	Def Jef Dust Brothers Michael Ross
Def Jef chronology
Just a Poet with Soul (1989) Soul Food (1991)
Singles from Just a Poet with Soul
"Droppin Rhymes on Drums" Released: November 6, 1989 "Black to the Future" Released: May 7, 1990 "Poet with Soul" Released: July 1, 1991

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Los Angeles Times	[3]
The Village Voice	B+[4]

The Houston Chronicle opined that Def Jef "spends more time bragging about how cleverly he can say what he says than he does actually saying anything—an all-too-common rap trick... But the album is redeemed as entertainment by the Dust Brothers' funky Cali co-production and inventive use of sampling."^[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Droppin' Rhymes on Drums" (featuring Etta James)	Jeffrey Fortson Eric Harris	Def Jef	4:21
2.	"Givin'em Rhythm"	Fortson Erick Vaan	Def Jef D.J. Eric Vaan[a]	4:09
3.	"On the Real Tip"	Fortson	Def Jef	4:09
4.	"Poet with Soul"	Fortson	Def Jef	4:12
5.	"Give It Here"	Fortson Peter Brown	Def Jef The Dust Brothers[c]	4:07
6.	"Do You Wanna Get Housed"	Fortson	Def Jef	4:42
7.	"Black to the Future"	Fortson	Def Jef	5:16
8.	"Do It Baby" (featuring N'Dea Davenport)	Fortson John King Matt Dike Michael Simpson	The Dust Brothers	6:17
9.	"God Made Me Funky"	Fortson Kevin O'Neal King Simpson	The Dust Brothers Def Jef[c]	3:57
10.	"Downtown"	Fortson Dike Michael Ross	Def Jef	4:30
11.	"Just a Poet"	Fortson King Dike Ross	The Dust Brothers Michael Ross	5:26

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an assistant producer.
• ^{^[c]} signifies a co-producer.

Personnel

• Jeffrey "Def Jef" Fortson – vocals, producer (tracks: 1-7, 10), co-producer (track 9), sleeve notes
• Etta James – additional vocals (track 1)
• Julio "Julio G." Gonzalez – scratches (track 5)
• N'Dea Davenport – vocals (track 8)
• Kevin O'Neal – bass (track 9)
• Michael Kory – piano (track 11)
• DJ Erick Vaan – assistant producer (track 2)
• John "King Gizmo" King – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
• Matt Dike – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
• Michael "E.Z. Mike" Simpson – producer (tracks: 8, 9, 11), co-producer (track 5)
• Michael Ross – producer (track 11), executive producer
• Brian Foxworthy – engineering
• Mario Caldato Jr. – engineering
• Darren Mora – additional engineering
• Salomon Emquies – art direction, photography

References

1. D, Chuck (2017). Chuck D Presents This Day in Rap and Hip-Hop History. Running Press.
2. Henderson, Alex. "Def Jef Just a Poet with Soul". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
3. Gold, Jonathan (January 28, 1990). "Def Jef "Just a Poet With Soul"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
4. Christgau, Robert (December 26, 1989). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via www.robertchristgau.com.
5. Mitchell, Rick (January 28, 1990). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 8.

External links

• Def Jef – Just A Poet With Soul at Discogs (list of releases)