Capone (DJ A.J. Capone) – Southern Soul Blues Artist Capone, born Jack Williams, is a Southern Soul Blues artist based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, he began his musical journey at an early age alongside his childhood friend Sylvester “Earl” Powell. The two met in the 6th grade while playing in the Sumner Elementary School band—Capone on trombone and Earl on trumpet. By the early 1980s, they had joined a neighborhood rap/singing group called CMS, where they became the group’s primary musicians, DJs, and songwriters. Their creativity and production skills quickly set them apart, helping CMS dominate talent shows across Chicago. Growing up on the city’s West Side, Capone and Earl were surrounded by legendary influences. Blues great Otis Clay, a close family friend, encouraged their talents and personally invited them to his studio for their first recording experience. After earning a B.S. in Business Marketing from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1996, Capone reunited with Earl to form E&J Productions. Their production talents led them to a deal with Un-D-Nyable Records, a label founded by Chicago White Sox Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. At Un-D-Nyable, they wrote and produced for the label’s roster, including Entourage, Dejah, Taja (later known as Cherish), and Strong. Entourage’s single “When” charted at #34 on the Billboard R&B charts, while Strong’s “On-and-On” secured the group a deal with RCA/Sony Records. Beyond the label, E&J collaborated with notable Chicago artists such as Johnny P (of Do-or-Die), Public Announcement, Felony Davis, and James “Slique” Adams. Public Announcement’s album Don’t Hold Back reached #30 on the Billboard R&B charts, further cementing E&J’s reputation as a powerhouse production team. In 2003, Capone stepped away from the music industry to focus on raising his three children. Relocating to Little Rock, he served as an Arkansas State Trooper until retirement and is a lifelong member of the National Black State Troopers Coalition (NBSTC). After a two-decade hiatus, Capone returned to music in 2023 with renewed passion. Teaming up once again with Earl Powell, he released Good Workin (Line Dance) and later dropped the remainder of his EP under his own label, Capone Music Group, on December 15, 2023. With deep roots in blues, soul, and modern Southern Soul, Capone blends his Chicago upbringing with Arkansas grit, bringing authentic storytelling and feel-good energy back to the stage.