RAP MASTER ROCKS DESPITE HARD KNOCKS.

Byline: Stacy Brown Daily News Staff Writer

It was 12 years ago when record producer Johnny J broke into the music business. Four years later, he was given a taste of how tough that business can be.

Just 17, the Mexican-born musician produced his first hit record, by an artist named Candyman.

``It was called `Knocking Boots' and it went platinum,'' J recalled. ``Candyman was the first and only rap artist on the Epic label to go platinum, and the song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts.''

With sales that had long surpassed gold status (500,000 units), it seemed that `Knocking Boots' would eventually top the charts - every singer's and producer's dream.

Unfortunately for J, 1990 saw a sizzling-hot artist named Whitney Houston rule the airwaves with ``I'm Your Baby Tonight'' - the latest in a long string of chart-toppers for the multiple Grammy winner.

And as if that weren't enough, the theme song from the blockbuster movie ``Ghost'' was garnering the same attention.

``Those songs kept (their hold on the top spots),'' J said. ``I learned a lot, though, and it taught me that this business is not easy.''

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, J moved to South Central Los Angeles, where he lived for 12 years before he and his wife, Capucine, bought a 5-acre estate in Acton.

The couple are partners in every sense of the word. ``She's my Tracey Edmonds,'' J said, referring to super-producer Babyface's wife.

Capucine, who usually can be found assisting her husband with business at Klockwork Entertainment, also fronts a new band J is producing called X-zotic.

``Whatever we do, we do it together,'' J said. ``We've worked very hard and I know we've earned every penny that we've made.''

After producing such artists as the late Tupac Shakur, Bizzy Bone, WC and Jon B., J has laid the foundation for a stable of his own.

``He works us, but he knows what he's doing, and when it comes down to business, playtime is over,'' said Ta'he, one of J's new artists.

When J runs down the names of those on his roster, a sense of accomplishment is evident.

``There is KeKe, Young Caprice, Romeo Soul, Ronnie King, Won G and Jennifer Page,'' he said. ``We are family, and when one hits big, we all hit big.''

But when the conversation turns to Shakur, who was shot to death in Las Vegas nearly two years ago, something else is evident in J.

``It hurts. It hurts real bad,'' he said.

With so much controversy swirling around Shakur's label, Death Row Records, and its CEO, Marion ``Suge'' Knight, J said the rapper often sought refuge at his Acton home, where they orchestrated one of the most successful rap albums ever, ``All Eyez on Me.''

`` 'Pac used to come up here just to get away from it all,'' said J, still emotional. ``He was a hard worker and he was very deep. (Shakur's mother) Afini and I are still real close, and she still calls and breaks down every time we talk.''

J and Capucine were at a high school reunion party when the news of the Las Vegas shooting reached them. ``We got in the car and drove to Vegas,'' Capucine recalled. ``When we got to the hospital Afini was on her way out and said, `Pac will be OK,' so we thought we'd go get a hotel (room) and see him the next day.''

The next day never came for Shakur. In fact, J and Capucine never made it to their hotel. Moments after starting their car, they heard a local radio station announce that Shakur was dead.

``It was incredible; we had just gotten in the car,'' J said. ``I couldn't believe it - he was gone. Tupac was dead.''

Shakur's body was later cremated, and Death Row released ``All Eyez on Me,'' which went on to sell 9 million copies.

Ironically, in 1984, J's idol, Marvin Gaye, also was shot to death - cutting short a Hall of Fame career that spanned parts of three decades.

``It would have been a dream to work with Marvin,'' he said. ``I would still love to work with some of the old-schoolers like Patti LaBelle, Shirley Murdoch and Gladys Knight.''

The producer, who said he moved to Acton because of the secluded nature of the area - ``We can have loud parties and not worry about anyone complaining or calling the cops'' - offers his artists the same advice: ``Stay hungry.''

``I go about my business like I've never had a hit record, so this way I'll stay hungry and keep focused,'' J said.

After completing projects with his large stable of artists and helping Shakur, Jon B. and WC hit the Billboard Hot 100, J said the world can expect a Johnny J album soon.

``I think it's time for people to see who Johnny J is. They need to know that Mexicans don't just cut grass - they make music,'' he said, laughing.

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PHOTO (Color) Rap-music producer and Acton resident Johnny J plans to release his own album.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News