Jean Grae "Built To Last" (Mix)

The Built To Last radio show out in France continues to impress with their wide-range of tributes to classic MCs, producers and record labels. Their latest drop pays homage to one of my personal favorite MCs, Jean Grae. In her own words, she makes "all the everything." Albums, audio books, TV shows, comedy shows, church, and catch her on these social media streets for one of the most entertaining follows EVER. I definitely miss seeing her at shows since I moved out of New York, but this music takes me right back to the indie scene she was an integral part of in NYC. Dig into the BTL mix below as they run through various tracks in Jeannie's extensive catalog of life narratives...

Happy Born Day, Jean Grae! (Playlist)

Jean Grae is a polymath in every sense of the word. She first rose to prominence in underground hip-hop circles as an MC, but a quick glance at her bio reveals the plethora of hats she’s worn since: “Writing, producing, rapping, singing, directing, filming, editing, acting, comedy, hosting, cooking columns, (a lot of cooking) freelance writing, voiceovers, hairstyling, putting on plays, lecturing at prestigious universities, teaching children, hosting my own live talk show, live music shows, free hug stations, improv, scoring podcasts…” It’s a lot. Born Tsidi Ibrahim to jazz musician parents in Cape Town, South Africa, Grae was likely always destined to become a performer. She grew up in New York City, first coming to America with her family when she was just three months old, amid racial turmoil in their home country. She attended the famed LaGuardia performing arts high school and studied music business at NYU before committing to music full-time. It’s been more than 20 years since she dropped her first verse on wax, and while Grae might not be a household name, you’d be hard pressed to find a rapper willing to battle her. Strictly lyrically, she’s one of the most gifted MCs ever. - Pitchfork. As one of my favorite lyricists and people in the music industry, I've followed her since the Natural Resource days, even DJing for Pumpkinhead (R.I.P.) in a very dusty basement some years later, where I was first introduced to Jean. Social media really put her in a place where her unique sense of humor and creativity could shine as she's amassed a tremendous following over the years. I've had the pleasure of seeing Jean in countless venues from big stages to crammed basements, record stores and even at New York University. Now that I'm living outside of NYC and with the pandemic, I hope new opportunities present itself to tap in to her live shows and performances. The sky's always been the limit for Jean, so this look back at some of my favorite cuts from Jean just scratches the surface. If you haven't peep'd her show, Life With Jeanie, you know you done fuck'd up, right? Happy Birthday, Jean - it's always been and always will be all love! 

Happy Born Day, Jean! Much love...

Jean Grae "The Evil Jeanius" (Album Stream, 2008)

"A FEELING THAT I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER..." First time vinyl pressing of one of the last decade's most curiously compelling hip-hop projects. A little backstory: Blue Sky Black Death are a production duo from the Bay Area, consisting of Ryan Maguire (aka Kingston) and Ian Taggart (aka Young God). They signed to Babygrande, releasing albums as collaborations with various Wu-Tang affiliates in addition to acclaimed instrumental projects. Jean Grae is an emcee, actress, comedian, and producer from Brooklyn, New York. Her career started in earnest around 1996 as a member of the hip hop group Natural Resource with James “Aggie” Barrett, releasing a string of well-received underground 12”s. By 2002, she too was signed to Babygrande, releasing her debut Attack of the Attacking Things, and later the acclaimed Jeanius LP, produced entirely by 9th Wonder. She worked on a number of mixtapes and experimental collaborative projects, including downtempo warrior The Herbaliser's Take London (2005), a spiritual predecessor to The Evil Jeanius. It’s not clear how exactly The Evil Jeanius came to be, but the combination of BSBD’s intuitive sampling, rugged scratching and brooding cadence matched with Grae’s razor-sharp rhymes make for some of the most potent heights reached by all parties involved. The record hits the ground running with "Shadows Forever," Grae’s fierce flow rushing over a sample of “Venus in Furs” by The Velvet Underground. “Strikes” is a harrowing tale of a murder in self-defense over glitchy muted snares. “It’s Still A Love Song” is a cheery, well, love song, backed with looped strings and pulsing organ samples. "Threats" is a distant cousin to Jigga's song of the same name, which finds Grae trading bars with Chen Lo over a gritty Etta James sample. The thing about gray area projects like this is they aren't really supposed to work, but this one does amazingly in spite of its cryptic origins, and we're thrilled to finally have it on wax. Turntable Lab exclusive variant on white vinyl." Listen below...

Back in 2008, Jean wrote a MySpace blog titled Jean Grae Is For Sale where she said "So, the economy sucks. I apparently have another unauthorized album for sale dropping Sept 30th and I figure, if everyones gonna make money offa me, why not make it directly and directly to the people who really love this shit anyway." She was speaking to the release of "The Evil Jeanius," and went on to publicly offer feature verses at $800/ea. My feelings now and at the time were that Babygrande misrepresented this album, and that tainted it for me... regardless of the fact that I really do enjoy it. These vocals could be from 2004 -- or perhaps even earlier -- we don't really know the full back story. In 2019, it's certainly not my intention (or my place) to dissuade you from supporting the vinyl, but just sharing memories I have from when it originally came out in 2008. However forced it may've been, the LP's marriage of Jean's vocals & BSBD beats is truly great!

Jean Grae "This Week" (Spin Magazine, 2004)

"[Jean Grae is] a fiery underground MC who's thrown down with Talib Kweli and the Roots, among others. Born in Capetown, South Africa, Grae, 27, is the daughter of noted jazz musicians - singer Sathima Bea Benjamin and pianist Abdullah "Dollar Brand" Ibrahim - who moved the family to New York City after Duke Ellington invited them to come play with his band. The brainy Grae was accepted at NYU without finishing high school or taking the SATs, but dropped out to rock the mike. On her second album, This Week, Grae spits biting, intricate rhymes about "normal everyday shit, freak-out nightmares, positive shit, fuck-you-up shit" over thumping, mainstream-friendly beats by 9th Wonder and 50 Cent fave Midi Mafia. Known for her vengeful lyrics - she wrote the 25-step song "How To Break Up With Your Girlfriend - Grae wanted This Week to be less "dark and angry." But industry sexism still dogs her. "It's hard to be a female MC and keep your clothes on," she says. "I'm flattered that magazines ask me to do things, but it's not me. They're like, 'What's wrong with you? Do it!' No! You do it!'" - Spin Magazine (10/04). Jean Grae closed out her "Thank You's" on This Week saying, "No ill words this time around. Karma is a muf***ka. You'll get yours. Peace and Pink Lotion. Jean Greasy.... Jeanius Coming Soon." This Week was released on this day in '04, listen below...

Original article in Spin Magazine (October, 2004)

Jean Grae & Quelle Chris "Everything's Fine" (Album Stream)

Jean Grae and Quelle Chris’s creative tour de force opens with a game show skit where “everything’s fine” is the answer to every question. This idea of insisting things are OK when so much of the world around us is fraying and falling apart inspires one of the smartest and most prescient albums of the year. The 15 self-produced tracks are a kaleidoscope of concepts, flows, and commentary, putting Everything’s Fine squarely in the lineage of albums like De La Soul Is Dead and Masta Ace’s Slaughtahouse, employing layers of irony and satire to make serious points. “My Contribution To This Scam” is an animated critique on what parts of the modern hip-hop scene have become, “Breakfast Of Champions” is an emotionally-charged account of living in a world where police brutality is a daily occurrence, and “Gold Purple Orange” spotlights stereotypes over deep, bass-powered production. Crucially, the album ends with the emotionally haunting “River,” where the MCs write open letters to family members in such earnest fashion that it causes the listener to take stock of what’s really important in their own world while also challenging them to right what’s wrong. - Updated via Bandcamp, because they say shit better than I do. Jean had me at the artwork, but they overdelivered on the music, too. Go figure! Dig into Everything's Fine below...

Jean Grae "The Bootleg Of The Bootleg EP" (2003)

"Jean Grae is self-aware, if nothing else. At times captivated by a world of fantasy to hide her real thoughts, for the most part she is brutally honest with herself and the listener. Delivering her personal mantra on her second solo effort, the Babygrande release is as lyrically visceral as they come - a great irony for a woman who named herself after a fictitious comic book character. After venting throughout her solo debut, Attack of the Attacking Things, the former What? What? of the collective Natural Resource, is still using the mic as her therapist and the rolling tape as her personal diary. The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP, her second solo effort in as many years, is a perfect name for the record. Often used as a way to give the world what the major record distributors and marketing teams won’t touch, the bootleg is an open canvas for many rappers these days. It limits the constraints of other hands touching one’s product and goes directly to the consumer. The abstract thought of bootlegging an original bootleg allows for even less diluted material - simply a novel idea." Click play on Jean's Bootleg Of The Bootleg EP, and continue reading below...

"On Bootleg, Grae’s six full songs and a 45-minute freestyle session allow for plenty of quality material to reach the listener. “Hater’s Anthem” is her response to her detractors over an Alchemist -like beat, and the wah-wah of ’70s funk on “Take Me” is a cry for help, as Jean Grae admits, “I am blinded like a junkie shooting up with emotional Novocain.” And those are only the first two songs on the EP. “My Crew”, with its subtle Jay-Z sample in the background, is the admission to troubles of hip-hop today. “I represent for a nation/Thought we was in it together/But I guess it gets strange when money rains in sunny weather,” she raps. “….Rap’s dead/ Rap sucks/ But thanks to y’all for killing it/ Grilling it down and spilling its guts and filling it back up with trash/I mean cash….” Once again, self-aware and brutally honest. The most impressive of all the music are Grae’s rhymes over the relatively happy beat of Scarface’s “My Block.” The frank tone is striking as she recites lyrics that will leave the listener with raised eyebrows by the second line. “I’m feeling numb, thinking of changing my name to crystal meth/ Playing this game, holding my mic like a pistol/ Aiming at death/ And I love nobody/ Alone in this world, that how I came in it/ But shit can flash and reverse the same in a minute,” she raps.... Jean Grae also shines as she manages to rhyme over Jay-Z, Nas, and Eminem beats as well as the originals. During the 45-minute mix that follows the original six tracks, Grae provides her version of the hits.... For those who haven’t heard the first album, pick up the Bootleg." - HipHopSite. Revisit the EP, now available as a "Deluxe Version." 

89.9 WKCR: The Unreleased Show (August 10, 2000)

Another gem from the OG, DJ Eclipse; 'The Unreleased Show' from August 10, 2000 on 89.9 WKCR (CM Famalam Show). DJ Eclipse's description: "Although not technically a show from the 90's, this show from 2000 was 4 hours of unreleased gems many dating back to the 90s. Riz and I subbed for Bobbito who wasn't there, but left us with Lord Sear as well as What? What? (Jean Grae) and Mr. Len for comedy relief (63:57). Riz set off the first hour of the show with promo only vinyl releases (not commercially released). Then after the comedy break I played 3 hours of demos (71:00). This was before Serato and even CDJ's so all demos were played one after another old school style from tapes and cds. Some sound great and some sound like 100th generation dubs. Some of these have since been released, but many still have not. Last mic break at 230:47." You'll hear tracks from Noreaga, R.A. The Rugged Man, M.O.P., Organized Konfusion, Buckshot, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, AZ, O.C., Scientifik, Nas, Biggie, and so much more; check out The Unreleased Show below. Thanks, E!

Natural Resource "Notes From The Underground" (Vibe, 2/97)

"Mining the elements necessary to start an industrial rap revolution are N.Y.C.-based trio Natural Resource. These high-impact verbalists grasp the mike with the firm hand of true hip hop sentiment - unlike many crews who use the culture to tighten up drug connects / advertise Italian wardrobes. Ocean, What What, and DJ Aggie let off complex lyrics and concepts that make sense, highlighted on the clever, metaphor-saturated "Baseball": "The point of this song, and I'll make it mad simple when I be flippin' this script / Is that the industry is all over the mound pitching, but nobody's making any hits." This sarcasm is accented by a cute piano riff laced with a rugged kick and snare, while the rest of the song continues with unforgiving comparisons of the rap game to the ball game."

"Other flavors include the heavyweight "Bum Deal," in which Natural Resource verbally shit on the foulness of the rap industry, and the braggadocious crew anthem "They Lied," the dope B-side to "Baseball" that many DJs are already up on. What What's verse stands out most on this track, when she kicks, "Real MCs we broke / Moet don't wet my throat / I keep a double-edged sword / Know when to mute the remote." Styles aplenty they've got. Look to see an album on Natural Resource's own label, Makin' Records, coming this summer...." - Vibe 2/97 (Updated audio links).

Jean Grae & 9th Wonder "Jeanius" (2008)

"I remember first hearing a leaked version of 'Jeanius' back in 2003 and thinking DAMN this is definitely one of the iller female MC's I've heard in a while. I really recognized the voice and couldn't put my finger on where I'd heard it before. It was only later I came to realize Tsidi Ibrahim went under the name What? What? and had a rock solid discography dating back to the mid-90's where she put in work with the group Natural Resource and got busy on a bunch of ill shit. If you're still sleeping, give your f#cking head a shake." - The Find Mag. I remember the leaked version quite well, too. In fact, I still listen to it often. I also remember the in-store at Fat Beats and the artwork inspired by Das EFX, Black Sheep, Raekwon and Public Enemy. Jean's mind inspires me through her wit, her humor, creativity and natural skill on so many fronts. It's impossible to box her in, and yet I'm certain fans and media alike try their best to do it, whether they know it or not. Despite being winter, it was as hot as the Knitting Factory basement in Fat Beats the night of Jean Grae & 9th Wonder's Jeanius in-store. Talib Kweli was in the building. Jean had made him a to-go plate of chicken and rice (or something similar); he sat at the counter and enjoyed it as fans packed into the store looking for copies of the album, a live performance and autographs from both Jean and 9th. TCM even sneaked an interview on the low, while others waited impatiently, lol. Jean signed my copy "We still need these!," as if my copy of the album was the right place to take a dump on Fat Beats... I respected it though, lol. They were, however, kind enough to give me a shout-out that made working their in-store and tolerating the customers all the worth it... you can peep that HERE. I'm thankful I've had numerous opportunities to tell Jean directly how her music has touched me (especially "Fade Out"), and I'm also glad she continues to release music, videos, a web-series, and so much more. My favorite cuts off Jeanius are "8," "Don't Rush Me," "My Story" and "Love Thirst." The album isn't currently available through streaming platforms, so I hope you cop'd one of the physicals! You can see my footage from the in-store at Fat Beats HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Jean Grae "Attack Of The Attacking Things" (Vibe, 9/02)

"Sex sells. Dreams sell. But for Jean Grae (fka What? What?), skills don't pay the bills. On her impressive solo debut she raps, "I got some plastic / But can't even use it, the bad credit's so drastic." But Grae is after respect more than money or power. To that end, Attack of the Attacking Thing is wry and unnerving, and it proves that the narrative finesse this cameo queen has shown on other people's albums is no fluke. Her stories are compelling, from the painfully perceptive gangsta gender bender "God's Gift" to "Love Song," on which she tenderly reflects on her own romantic foibles." Listen to Da Beatminerz-produced "Love Song," one of my favorites, continued below...

"And though she's opinionated, Grae never resorts to vacant sloganeering. For her, political arguments start in "asbestos-filled classrooms." ...While some of the production is lackluster, Grae's lyrical radiance makes Attack exceptional. It's the thoughts that count." - Vibe, September, 2002.