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 MC’s 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 Café, 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.
Get 'Em
Jay Electronica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the games about to get hot,
ayo doc, you better tell them other producer niggas that they bet' not drop, boy
cuz mr. porter aint playing
what the fuck is you saying
ill fuck over you mans
when my crew get to bringing some guns and start the spraying
have the whole club bowing like some muslims praying
i got a way with hoes my dicks long as yao ming foot, nope
nope nope nah nigga your shits invalid
im bout money you take some bitches like jimmy fallon
well im the type to get em fucked up, drunk and wilin
all crunk in the g-5 smilin thats how i (get em, get em)
see if you want that hoe back
you aint close to no pimp you should focus on rap
i got bars big as coconuts nigga in fact
i keep a nine and a extra clip next to my sack
(Guilty Simpson)
I dont give a damn my nigga
peep me out i got a bomb ass gun and a landmine trigger
posted at the bar where i slam my liquor
yall ants to me, like grandma sisters
you little insect fucksll get crushed
no rap clique exists its just us
saw you little fags
posing in the pages of the rap mags
and i am the black flag
spraying yall chumps to death im that bad
and i dont even speak to cats im that mad
so if i was on some brand new shit
so what you little coward niggas wont do shit
approach with caution, your mans got issues
and im a great shot the heat, will not miss you
if we got problems i will not diss you
imma sick the dogs on yall to come get you
(Jay Electronica)
six minutes jay elect your on
i transform
and blast on a nigga like megatron
i got the power
im on fire like the west wing of the pentagon and the north tower
ill break yo ass off proper
the resident doctors givin out one way tickets to ask biggie smalls who shot ya
these fuck niggas aint real like snufalufagus
thats why when they bumpin they gums we let the muskets buss
you dont believe me, ask em
we smack rappers in they face spit on they cakes and blast em
yeah , get nervous now
imma fuckin animal with the verbs and nouns
imma fuckin cannibal in the herd of clowns
you niggas look like heaps of steaks and burger mounds
when my ears start ringin, and them voices say hit em,
i have no motherfuckin choice but to get em
The song "Get 'Em" by Jay Electronica feat. Guilty Simpson & Mr. Porter is a track that talks about violence, guns and the tough nature of the artists singing it. The first verse rapped by Mr. Porter is about his dominance in his music and his ability to seduce women. In his second verse, Guilty Simpson talks about being angry and not afraid to take out his enemies. Finally, Jay Electronica's verse is braggadocious as he boasts about his power and ability to destroy his opponents.
The lyrics of this song reflect the violent and competitive nature of the rap industry. The artists are using bravado to assert their dominance and talent as rappers, while also referencing guns and violence as a means of protection and intimidation. The lines, "have the whole club bowing like some muslims praying" and "ill break yo ass off proper" demonstrate the artists' lack of concern for the consequences of their actions, as well as their willingness to use violent imagery for effect.
Overall, "Get 'Em" is a song that portrays the artists' toughness and prowess as rappers. The language used is aggressive and violent, but serves to emphasize the power of the artists' words and the effect they can have on their listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
the games about to get hot,
Things are about to become intense and competitive.
ayo doc, you better tell them other producer niggas that they bet' not drop, boy
Hey, someone should warn those other producers not to try to compete with me.
cuz mr. porter aint playing
I'm serious and not joking around.
what the fuck is you saying
What are you even talking about?
ill fuck over you mans
I will defeat and embarrass your crew.
when my crew get to bringing some guns and start the spraying
If necessary, my group will resort to violence to establish dominance.
have the whole club bowing like some muslims praying
We will be so threatening and intimidating that people will cower in fear.
boy, this niggas mad cuz i fucked his toots
This guy is angry because I slept with his woman.
i got a way with hoes my dicks long as yao ming foot, nope
I am skilled at seducing women and my penis is quite large.
nope nope nah nigga your shits invalid
Sorry, but your attempts to challenge me are unsuccessful.
im bout money you take some bitches like jimmy fallon
I am focused on making money, while you are preoccupied with sleeping around like Jimmy Fallon.
well im the type to get em fucked up, drunk and wilin
I enjoy getting people intoxicated and causing them to act wildly.
all crunk in the g-5 smilin thats how i (get em, get em)
I am able to influence others to party and enjoy themselves.
see if you want that hoe back
If you're trying to get your woman back from me,
you aint close to no pimp you should focus on rap
you are not skilled enough to be a pimp, so you should concentrate on your music career instead.
i got bars big as coconuts nigga in fact
I am a skilled rapper and my lyrics are strong and impactful.
i keep a nine and a extra clip next to my sack
I always carry a gun with extra ammunition for protection.
I dont give a damn my nigga
I don't care at all, my friend.
peep me out i got a bomb ass gun and a landmine trigger
Take a look, I have a very powerful weapon.
posted at the bar where i slam my liquor
I'm hanging out at the bar and drinking heavily.
yall ants to me, like grandma sisters
You all are tiny and insignificant to me, like distant relatives.
you little insect fucksll get crushed
If you try to challenge me, you will be destroyed.
no rap clique exists its just us
There is no rap collective that can compete with our group.
saw you little fags
I have seen you all and I am unimpressed.
posing in the pages of the rap mags
You are trying to appear impressive in rap magazines, but you are not.
and i am the black flag
I am a symbol of danger and rebellion, like a pirate flag.
spraying yall chumps to death im that bad
I will defeat you all with ease and without mercy.
and i dont even speak to cats im that mad
I am so angry that I won't even speak to you or acknowledge your existence.
so if i was on some brand new shit
If I were doing something completely different,
so what you little coward niggas wont do shit
I know you all won't do anything about it because you're too scared.
approach with caution, your mans got issues
Be careful when dealing with me, because I have problems and anger issues.
and im a great shot the heat, will not miss you
I have excellent aim and my gun will hit its target.
if we got problems i will not diss you
If we have a disagreement, I won't use words to insult or belittle you.
imma sick the dogs on yall to come get you
Instead, I will send others after you to do my dirty work and take you down.
six minutes jay elect your on
It's my turn to rap for six minutes.
i transform
I change and become different when I rap.
and blast on a nigga like megatron
I attack and dominate like Megatron.
i got the power
I am very strong and confident.
im on fire like the west wing of the pentagon and the north tower
My lyrics are explosive and fiery, like the 9/11 attacks.
ill break yo ass off proper
I will defeat you thoroughly and convincingly.
the resident doctors givin out one way tickets to ask biggie smalls who shot ya
My rapping is so powerful that it could cause someone to get killed and be asked about by Biggie Smalls in the afterlife.
these fuck niggas aint real like snufalufagus
These people are not genuine, like a fictional character from Sesame Street.
thats why when they bumpin they gums we let the muskets buss
When these people talk too much, we resort to violence and shoot them with guns.
you dont believe me, ask em
If you doubt me, ask the people who have experienced my power and aggression.
we smack rappers in they face spit on they cakes and blast em
We aggressively attack and humiliate other rappers in various ways.
yeah , get nervous now
You should be feeling anxious and uncomfortable right about now.
imma fuckin animal with the verbs and nouns
I am an incredibly skilled and powerful rapper.
imma fuckin cannibal in the herd of clowns
I am able to dominate and destroy my competition, who are like a group of foolish performers.
you niggas look like heaps of steaks and burger mounds
You all look like piles of meat, ready to be consumed by a predator like me.
when my ears start ringin, and them voices say hit em,
When I become angry and aggressive, I feel compelled to attack my enemies.
i have no motherfuckin choice but to get em
I cannot resist the urge to attack and crush my opponents.
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.