Jeffrey Fortson, known professionally as Def Jef, is an American rapper who was active in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1989, he released his debut album, “Just A Poet With Soul”, which won critical acclaim for socialpolitical lyrics and original beats. Additionally, he was a member of the West Coast Rap All-Stars, a collaboration of West Coast based hip hop artists who released the anti-violence single “We’re All In The Same Gang” in 1990. He performed on the television variety series In Living Color in 1990. After his sophomore album, “Soul Food”, was released, he moved into production full time. Since the 1990s, he has produced, written, arranged and remixed such artists as Nas, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kimberley Locke, Maxwell, Avant, Tupac Shakur, and Shaquill O’Neal. He has also worked with Krayzie Bone and Thugline Records. Fortson also appeared in the 1992 film Deep Cover.