Jay Electronica has yet to release a full-length album but has released two official singles to date, "Exhibit A" and "Exhibit C," which won a Sucker Free Summit Award for Instant Classic. His music so far has been made available through the internet, either through being leaked to what URB magazine describes as "obscure web forums", or through an appearing and disappearing MySpace page (currently two seem to be in existence, at /jayelect and at /jayelectronica). Erykah Badu has questioned whether he ever will release, in her words, "actual albums". From New Orleans, LA he has lived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Denver, and Detroit, where he recorded his Style Wars-era music with several J Dilla beats, meeting the producer subsequently to ask for permission to use the recordings as a demo. Detroit is where Electronica met producer/engineer Mike "Chav" Chavarria, who introduced him to both J Dilla and Mr. Porter, and who is now a regular collaborator.
Jay Electronica first gained significant attention through Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), made available on a MySpace page in 2007. It is 9:13 continuous minutes of music, without drums, built from Jon Brion's soundtrack to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There are five segments or movements, marked by changes in music and mood, raps by Electronica, and occasional snippets of sampled dialogue (children arguing in Kurdish, Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka). The first segment is spoken word by Just Blaze and Erykah Badu describing the artist over piano music. The nature of the piece of music, along with the nature of its appearance, led to a slow build-up of interest in Electronica as an enigmatic figure. Songs circulating online as the Style Wars EP gained wider circulation, and other songs, such as the dream-inspired "Dimethyltryptamine", soon appeared. In January 2008, Gilles Peterson's 90-minute Gilles Peterson Worldwide was devoted to the rapper. Hiphopdx.com in 2008 called him "arguably...the most talked about new emcee last year ... at times...more like a myth or urban legend than an actual rapper", and URB ran a cover story on the artist under the banner "Jay Electronica: A Spotless Mind:: An MCโs mystery revealed", which referred to his wanderings as his being "like some sort of hip-hop Jack Kerouac".
Jeff Weiss' piece for the L.A. Weekly, "Jay Electronica: Much Better Than His Name Would Suggest", acknowledged that the rapper could be fairly described as "one of the most buzzed about rappers of 2008", but attempted to temper the hype somewhat, describing Act 1... as "ambitious, wildly original, if not slightly pretentious", while endorsing only to an extent the comparisons URB had made (referencing an "abstract rhyming style") to rappers like Nas and Pharoahe Monch.
According to URB, Act II: Patents of Nobility will feature Nas, and will be the second of a putative trilogy. URB also reported that digital EPs with both Guilty Simpson and producer 9th Wonder were planned. His most recent music as of November 2008 is the Just Blaze-produced track "Exhibit A (Transformations)".
According to a Filter TV interview, Jay Electronica has partnered with Decon to release his debut project. It is being described as a multi-media release and footage from the project which was partially shot in Nepal and Dubai has begun to surface online. The first clip to leak is titled "Dear Moleskine" and can be found on YouTube, the track was produced by Just Blaze and the clip was directed by Jason Goldwatch from Decon. In June of 2009, Decon and Jay's "The Dogon Society" released "Exhibit A" digitally. "Exhibit C" was released on iTunes December 16, 2009 and quickly shot to the top 10 of the iTunes Hip-Hop charts. The following week it was chosen by Hot 97's DJ Enuff as the Heavy Hitter pick of the week. On February 9, 2010, it was announced Jay Electronica will appear at the 2010 Bonnaroo Music Festival. Further proof of the continuing buzz about this artist saw On Jay Electronica sell out 2 nights at the Jazz Cafe Jazz Cafรฉ, London (UK) on Feb 17, 2010.
Jay Electronica continued his scattered release practice, dropping "A Million In The Morning" on April 4, 2010. The song features a weary Electronica trying to keep himself awake to escape his nightmares.
On April 30th, Jay Electronica debuted "The Ghost of Christopher Wallace" via his Twitter. The song features P Diddy and is produced by London beatsmith Quincey Tones, who is known for producing such acts as Young Jeezy and Royce da 5'9".
On 12th November 2010, Jay-Z announced that Jay Electronica was officially the newest member of his own 'Roc Nation' record label/management company, which boasts such acts as J. Cole and Willow Smith.
Jay has been travelling the world and was in London, United Kingdom for an extended period of time completing his debut album 'Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn)'.
Jay Electronica and Erykah Badu have a child together, a girl named Mars Merkaba, born on February 1, 2009.
Exhibit B
Jay Electronica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spit that, orchesteral,
Medina born exceptional,
Extra Extra Terrestial,
From out the ghetto vestibule.
Put your yard up on knowledge like the lessons do,
So fly fiends can get high off the residue.
Dante flaco, flow handsome, guapo.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars, Grits and The Gospel,
School, I knock harder in the teachin of Apostles.
Pistols, prayer meetings, player balls, car shows,
Festivals, funerals, the grotesque and beautiful.
Phenomenons normal, the needed hardly happens,
Fresh V's at high speeds zoomin backwards,
Fast forward to last moments to flash over,
Trick trappin they clique clack then blast on 'em,
Damn homie it was all good a week ago,
Show 'em the truth but can't make 'em believe it yo...
It's Curtains, the opening scene,
Simpatico, remarkable, the article dream
Wake Up and bear witness to what you never seen,
Reach out and feel what they said would never be...
Me.... and J-A-Y-E, electronic motherball,
Shut em off they sucker songs
Fuck em all and the horse they rode in on
You cant trespass the star gate i go in on
Get off
Jay Electronica
I bust through the gates of hell like a batterin ram,
Clappin yelling profanities like Yosemite Sam,
After that, I'm back home scannin the land,
Twenty-three million square miles of contraband.
I know ya feel me, but still hope the opposition kill me,
Cause you dont wanna see god manifest really.
UFOs and cabbage water, Willie the Kid,
You aint seen one of these in a trillion years.
Abracadabra, I popped out the meat grinder shining,
The elegant art form of rhymings just blinding.
And thats just a regular hat trick,
A trick lock, a ninety gallon tank, yeah I'm back on that shit.
The ark building mad man from hotel deux,
Act two, coming through a dream by you.
Young Slumdog from uptown,
Pocket full of rupees,
Torn up sheets of looseleaf and one Lucy.
The first verse of "Exhibit B" by Jay Electronica featuring Mos Def opens with Mos Def spitting lyrics in his signature wise and insightful style. He talks about being born in Medina and how he's exceptional, even being extra-terrestrial, while addressing the idea that he belongs in the ghetto vestibule. Mos Def talks about how he shares knowledge as the lessons do, and how his flow is real and surreal, resulting in lyrics that are both beautiful and grotesque. In his usual way of creating a vivid and diverse imagery, he talks about pistols, prayer meetings, festivals, funerals, grotesque moments, beautiful experiences, and the normal phenomenon that goes on every day, which are all part of life. He ends the verse by acknowledging that itโs hard to make people see the truth, and that some people would rather believe what they want despite the truth presented to them.
Jay Electronica comes in on the second verse, using vivid imagery to paint pictures in the listener's mind. He talks about breaking through the gates of hell, being back home, and scanning the land, which seems to suggest he's one of the few people who can do this. He also talks about his knowledge of the vast land filled with contraband, which is interesting given his reputation for being a mysterious and intriguing artist who maintains a low profile. Jay's lyrics touch on themes including seeing God manifest, UFOs and cabbage water, and his ability to create "rhymings just blinding", all while boasting about his art-form - being a rapper. He mentions a hat trick that's regular for him, which implies he's capable of much more, before dropping a reference to his roots as a "young Slumdog from uptown" with "a pocket full of rupees and one Lucy".
Overall, both parts of "Exhibit B" showcase Mos Def and Jay Electronica's lyrical prowess and their ability to create intricate and captivating narratives through their music.
Line by Line Meaning
I spit that, orchesteral,
I rap fluently and with mastery, as if conducting an orchestra.
Medina born exceptional,
I was born in Medina, a holy city in Saudi Arabia, and am gifted in many ways.
Extra Extra Terrestial,
I am not just out of this world, but beyond what is known of this world.
From out the ghetto vestibule.
I come from humble beginnings and have overcome adversity.
Put your yard up on knowledge like the lessons do,
Invest in your mind and education like a wise person would.
So fly fiends can get high off the residue.
Be so wise and impactful that even those who follow harmful practices can benefit from what you leave behind.
So real, and surreal, a pure deal,
My lyricism is both authentic and otherworldly, a rare combination.
Dante flaco, flow handsome, guapo.
My rhyming style is similar to Dante's Inferno, lean and attractive.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars, Grits and The Gospel,
I am influenced by different cultures and their unique ways of life and art, from southern comfort food (grits) to spiritual music (gospel) to celestial bodies.
School, I knock harder in the teachin of Apostles.
I am dedicated and passionate in spreading knowledge and wisdom, like the apostles of Jesus.
Pistols, prayer meetings, player balls, car shows,
I acknowledge the good and bad in urban communities and the various events that shape them.
Festivals, funerals, the grotesque and beautiful.
I see beauty in unexpected places and am inspired by a wide range of experiences.
Phenomenons normal, the needed hardly happens,
Extraordinary things are common, while necessary things rarely occur.
Fresh V's at high speeds zoomin backwards,
I drive a fast car and love to go in reverse.
Fast forward to last moments to flash over,
Life can go by in a flash, so cherish every moment.
Trick trappin they clique clack then blast on 'em,
Those who deceive and trap others will eventually suffer consequences.
Damn homie it was all good a week ago,
Life can change quickly and unexpectedly, for better or worse.
Show 'em the truth but can't make 'em believe it yo...
It is difficult to convince others of the truth, even when it is presented in front of them.
It's Curtains, the opening scene,
This is the start of something big and important.
Simpatico, remarkable, the article dream
This is an excellent and unique vision that I am sharing with you.
Wake Up and bear witness to what you never seen,
Be open-minded and attentive to new ideas and experiences.
Reach out and feel what they said would never be...
Explore new frontiers and possibilities that once seemed impossible.
Me.... and J-A-Y-E, electronic motherball,
Jay Electronica and I are a unique and unstoppable duo, producing electrifying music.
Shut em off they sucker songs
Reject the superficial and empty messages in mainstream music.
Fuck em all and the horse they rode in on
I don't care about anyone who promotes negativity and harm to others.
You cant trespass the star gate i go in on
No one can stop me from reaching my full potential and exploring new territories.
I bust through the gates of hell like a batterin ram,
I can overcome any obstacle or challenge with great force and determination.
Clappin yelling profanities like Yosemite Sam,
I express my anger and frustration with full intensity, like a Looney Tunes character.
After that, I'm back home scannin the land,
Even after achieving great success, I remain humble and connected to my origins.
Twenty-three million square miles of contraband.
I am surrounded by a vast and complex world full of danger and deception.
I know ya feel me, but still hope the opposition kill me,
Even those who understand and appreciate my message may wish for my downfall.
Cause you dont wanna see god manifest really.
My potential for greatness and influence can be intimidating and overwhelming.
UFOs and cabbage water, Willie the Kid,
My interests and influences are diverse and unconventional, ranging from extraterrestrial phenomena to simple foods.
You aint seen one of these in a trillion years.
I am one of a kind and have a unique creativity and talent.
Abracadabra, I popped out the meat grinder shining,
I emerged from difficult circumstances and am now shining and dazzling to the world.
The elegant art form of rhymings just blinding.
My rhyming and lyrical abilities are so impressive that they can overwhelm and dazzle.
And thats just a regular hat trick,
Even my ordinary or routine accomplishments are impressive and remarkable.
A trick lock, a ninety gallon tank, yeah I'm back on that shit.
I enjoy playing games and challenging myself with difficult tasks, and am feeling inspired and motivated again.
The ark building mad man from hotel deux,
I am a visionary and ambitious person, with the potential to build something great even in difficult circumstances.
Act two, coming through a dream by you.
This is my second act or phase, and I am now fulfilling a dream that may inspire others.
Young Slumdog from uptown,
I come from a humble and rough background, but am now moving up and making a name for myself.
Pocket full of rupees,
I have accumulated wealth and success, and am living a comfortable life.
Torn up sheets of looseleaf and one Lucy.
I still remember and value the simple things in life, like taking notes on a piece of paper and smoking one cigarette (Lucy).
Contributed by Isaac Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mate Kiddleton
And his own story was as curious as his narrative
The tale of his life is the tale of a writer of incredible vision
An astute analyst and pundit
A lyricist compassionate and callus
A reckless hedonist and disaffected malcontent
[Verse 1: Jay Electronica]
I spit that Wonderama shit
Me and my conglomerates shall remain anonymous
Caught up in the finest shit
Get that type of media coverage Obama get
Spit that Kurt Vonnegut
That blow your brain Kurt Cobain, that Nirvana shit
Who gon' bring the game back
Who gon' spit that Ramo on the train tracks
That gold rope, that five-finger ring rap
Running with my same pack
You can find the Christ where the lepers and the lames at
Life is like a dice game
One roll could land you in jail or cutting cake
Blowing kisses in the rice rain
Nice whip, nice chain, a closet of skulls
The stench is like slave blood at Providence Hall, yeah
They built my city on top of a grave
Nigga die, nigga get high and watch the parade
Back in the early '90s
Where they at, where they at
Get the gat, get the gat was a popular phrase
Bally Animals and Rugbys was a popular craze
This the vivid memoirs of a obnoxious slave
I pave ways like Nat and Harriet
I blast on Judas Iscariot and peel off in the chariot
I'm sitting pretty, spitting flames, gripping grains
Ain't a damn thing changed
[Interlude: Willy Wonka and Child]
How does he do it?
My young lad, do you ask a dolphin how it swims? No
Or a eagle how it flies? No
That's right, you don't, because that's what they were made to do
You are about to bear witness my friends
To one of the greatest technological advances in modern history
BEHOLD! a confectionery behemoth
[Verse 2: Jay Electronica]
They say Candyman, Candyman, spit me a dream
Blow a chunk of the levee out and spit me a stream
Knock a man's house down and build a casin-
A two thousand dollar government check from FEM-
I swam down shit's creek and came up clean
With a new lease on life like Andy Dufresne
It's the most poetical, Nat King unforgettable
Clarence 13X Allah's rhapsody from Bellevue
I'm splitting atoms, spitting flames
Bringing change, things will never be the same
I got the rap game singing At Last like Etta James
Lames get they plane shot down like John McCain
It's a dream, it's a dream
The flow is elegant like Miss Coretta Scott King
A lot of kings seen death and turn queen
Crack they twenty-four inch rims in the ravine
Respect the architect, never test the Elohim
Goodnight, this is Jay Elec, live from New Orleans
[Original outro: Napoleon Hill]
My journey has brought me to an understanding of the divine forces which we have all been bestowed
It was in this search that I came upon a revelation
Which has called me to guide millions of people towards their righteous destiny
[Verse 3: Mos Def]
Bey!
I spit that, orchesteral
Medina born exceptional
Extra Extra Terrestial
From out the ghetto vestibule
Put your yard up on knowledge like the lessons do
So fly fiends can get high off the residue
So real, and surreal, a pure deal
Dante Flaco, flow handsome, guapo
The Sun, Moon, and Stars, Grits and The Gospel
School, I knock harder in the teachin of Apostles
Pistols, prayer meetings, player balls, car shows
Festivals, funerals, the grotesque and beautiful
Phenomenons normal, the needed hardly happens
Fresh V's at high speeds zoomin backwards
Fast forward to last moments to flash over
Trick trappin they clique clack then blast on 'em
Damn homie it was all good a week ago
Show 'em the truth but can't make 'em believe it yo...
It's Curtains, the opening scene
Simpatico, remarkable, the article dream
Wake Up and bear witness to what you never seen
Reach out and feel what they said would never be...
Me... and J-A-Y-E, electronic motherboard
Shut em off they sucker songs
Fuck em all and the horse they rode in on
You can't trespass the star gate I go in on
Get off
[Verse 4: Jay Electronica]
I bust through the gates of hell like a batterin ram
Clappin yelling profanities like Yosemite Sam
After that, I'm back home scannin the land
Twenty-three million square miles of contraband
I know ya feel me, but still hope the opposition kill me
Cause you don't wanna see god manifest really
UFOs and cabbage water, Willie the Kid
You ain't seen one of these in a trillion years
Abracadabra, I popped out the meat grinder shining
The elegant art form of rhymings just blinding
And that's just a regular hat trick
A trick lock, a ninety gallon tank, yeah I'm back on that shit
The ark building mad man from Hรดtel-Dieu
Act II, coming through a dream by you
Young Slumdog from uptown, pocket full of rupees
Torn up sheets of looseleaf and one Lucy
Kyle Broussard
"You can find Christ where the lepers and the lames at...."
This is such a deep line I felt it in my spine.
As far as I can tell, it's at the very least a triple entendre. There is multiple verses in the Bible that talk about Christ healing the sick, and seeing them as equals when all others extradite them from society.
It also has the double meaning of saying, even in the darkness, or the worst of situations, you can always find good. And in fact, sometimes you must go there to find it.
The triple meaning is that sometimes it's only once you've gone through what feels like Hell, can you find the peace you're looking for.
There could be a fourth meaning in here, something along the lines of: I'm gonna stay where I came from, even when I can afford to escape. As if to say the people around here need me, and I need them to remind me which side of the path to not take.
It is no surprise this man has stayed relatively low key in the game despite his unique style and undeniable lyrical wit and skill.
Like Jay said himself, "I know y'all feel me, but still hope the opposition kill me, cuz you don't wanna see God manifest really..."
He doesn't think he's God like most rappers. In fact, he knows he's just a man and can only achieve with the help from God we all need. But he speaks the truth, and manifests his power and talents from the source.
That's why he'll never be mainstream. In order to do that, you need to very clearly worship Satan, or at least Pagan practices. Materialism, masochism, mysogony, drugs, face tats, hidden messages, etc... This cat ain't gonna sell his infinite soul for some material in this finite world.
Keep it real Jay.
David M
Lyrics for mos def part
[Mos Def:]
I spit that, orchesteral,
Medina born exceptional,
Extra Extra Terrestial,
From out the ghetto vestibule.
Put your yard up on knowledge like the lessons do,
So fly fiends can get high off the residue.
So real, and surreal, a pure deal,
Dante flaco, flow handsome, guapo.
The Sun, Moon, and Stars, Grits and The Gospel,
School, I knock harder in the teachin of Apostles.
Pistols, prayer meetings, player balls, car shows,
Festivals, funerals, the grotesque and beautiful.
Phenomenons normal, the needed hardly happens,
Fresh V's at high speeds zoomin backwards,
Fast forward to last moments to flash over,
Trick trappin they clique clack then blast on 'em,
Damn homie it was all good a week ago,
Show 'em the truth but can't make 'em believe it yo...
It's Curtains, the opening scene,
Simpatico, remarkable, the article dream
Wake Up and bear witness to what you never seen,
Reach out and feel what they said would never be...
Me... and J-A-Y-E, electronic motherball,
Shut em off they sucker songs
Fuck em all and the horse they rode in on
You can't trespass the star gate I go in on
Get off
[Jay Electronica:]
I bust through the gates of hell like a batterin ram,
Clappin yelling profanities like Yosemite Sam,
After that, I'm back home scannin the land,
Twenty-three million square miles of contraband.
I know ya feel me, but still hope the opposition kill me,
Cause you don't wanna see god manifest really.
UFOs and cabbage water, Willie the Kid,
You ain't seen one of these in a trillion years.
Abracadabra, I popped out the meat grinder shining,
The elegant art form of rhymings just blinding.
And that's just a regular hat trick,
A trick lock, a ninety gallon tank, yeah I'm back on that shit.
The ark building mad man from hotel deux,
Act two, coming through a dream by you.
Young Slumdog from uptown,
Pocket full of rupees,
Torn up sheets of looseleaf and one Lucy.
Detroit Made Me
It's beautiful musical melancholy. This transcends hip hop, this is art.
Sky High Productions
๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐
Milt Jordan
Hey man....I know that you meant that "this transcends Hip-Hop" comment as a compliment but in reality it's kinda effed up because HIP-HOP in its purest non-commercial lyrical form is high functioning ART and human expression at its finest.
I don't want beef....I'm just saying who is Hip-Hop to be equal to?
Black people and Black music are always changing and most of the time evolving.
Peace
G.G. Early
@Milt Jordan Say dat!!!
M B
@Sky High Productions https://youtu.be/wJNeJsOI7PE
Pro
Jose M
I swear that Mos Def verse is one of the most amazing verses Iโve ever heard in my entire life
Joe Parmesan
I love how the piano syncs up, while only the bass playswhen he starts. It's my favorite moment on this mix
D Gayle
I hate that they cover the majority of it with fucking drops
Juan Mondragon
Facts
Trombonebone
tell 'em! We need another album from Yasiin