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Producer Johnny Jackson aka Johnny J. died from an apparent suicide in the Los Angeles County Jail yesterday (October 3).
According to a number of reports, Jackson, who was incarcerated on a DUI charge, allegedly jumped from a tier in the prison, resulting in his death, although the official cause of death has not been determined.
Johnny J., who was born in Mexico and raised in South Central Los Angeles, is best known for the body of work he recorded with the late Tupac Shakur.
He started in the music business at the age of 16, but his first taste of success came in 1990, when he produced the Grammy nominated hit single Knockin Boots for pioneering Spanglish rapper Candyman.
Around 1993, Johnny J started an affiliation with Shakur, which would eventually produce hundreds of recordings land the producer work on a number of high profile releases.
He produced tracks on albums like The Above The Rim soundtrack, as well as Tupacs Thug Life album, Me Against The World and All Eyez On Me, which contained the hit single How Do U Want It, which was a Johnny J. production.
Johnny J. was prolific as well, having produced or scored music for movies like Blood Diamond, The Fan and The Big Hit.
Johnny J. also released a solo album in 1995 titled I Gotta Be Me and many of his productions on Tupac Shakur ended up on posthumous releases like Until The End Of Time, Better Dayz, R U Still Down (Remember Me) and others.
Johnny J. also worked with a number of artists, ranging from Tatyana Ali and The Outlawz to Lil Eazy Es group The Kings of L.A.
A documentary on his life was also being produced at the time of his death.

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