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.
Live It
Jay Electronica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I go outside and breathe, roll down my sleeves and have a ball
Still got these bills to pay and a family, I'm workin' hard
But I got a life too, so I throw on my shoes and I live it y'all
I'm fresher than a peppermint and cold as a cough
When I pull up in that foreign and I break boys off
Super ballin' is a product of a hard knock life
From a Buick to a Beamer, ambitions of a dreamer
Motivated by Mob Figgaz and Andre Nickatina
I'm gettin' paper while you're in the shade drinkin Zima
I'm a schemer, you just waitin' on your check from FEMA
Been evadin' the subpoena to appear in court
Different hustle every season like I'm playin' a sport
"Life is too short, wouldn't you agree?"
See, the best time I ever had in my life was free
My best friend wasn't real, he came with a fee
Reduced time for your sentence come with a plea
Livin' in the free world and I'm blessed
Paper chasin' is my quest, I grind with no rest
I deserve to play, it's been a few days, ain't showed it all
I go outside and breathe, roll down my sleeves and have a ball
Still got these bills to pay and a family, I'm workin' hard
But I got a life too, so I throw on my shoes and I live it y'all
I'm not a actor, a role model with soul or clapper
I work hard, a good gangsta nigga, blow a stack up
Time still movin' and shit, stay on the grind, it's just excuses
Girls lookin' at you, you useless (word?)
When everything is wrong, it look like it'll fall
I'm on the job, feet first with direction and all
I like coca and then gotta come home and stroke her
Take time, clean my rims and go lock' her
Just wanna lay up, damn
I need two minutes to rest, go 'head and take the Lex' out, scram
Then it's beef in the jump off, 'cause I needed one off
It's like you drew your gun on me in a gun off
Shit won't change, so move with it (move with it)
This is my life, I'm only livin' it, so don't go and ruin it
Words from a legend, keep your dome up in the sky
Listen to Paul Wall and Chef Fly (get high)
I deserve to play, it's been a few days, ain't showed it all
I go outside and breathe, roll down my sleeves and have a ball
Still got these bills to pay and a family, I'm workin' hard
But I got a life too, so I throw on my shoes and I live it y'all
Dear Mr. President, have you seen FEMA?
Have you seen the lower 9th Ward, post Katrina?
Niggas scufflin' tryin' to find something tangible
The MP's is treatin' all the youth like animals
Then wonder why the cops gettin rocked like Mosley
Why niggas on the TV in the spot like cozy
Now Houston got a problem, Atlanta got a problem
Dallas, Alabama and Miami got a problem
Niggas wildin' out, livin' free, yellin' sovereign
.38 revolvin', crack rock ballin'
Tats on they face that say Uptown New Orleans
Blastin' on sight, fuck fightin', fuck arguin'
Meanwhile boat loads of cash go to Israel
Soldiers in Iraq pray to God for a miracle
Sam Cooke said that change was comin'
If not, you can bet your ass, danger's comin'
I deserve to play, it's been a few days, ain't showed it all
Go outside and breathe, roll down my sleeves and have a ball
Still got these bills to pay and a family, I'm workin' hard
But I got a life too, so I throw on my shoes and I live it y'all
The lyrics to "Live It" by Jay Electronica featuring Paul Wall, Raekwon, and Yelawolf, tell the story of a hardworking individual who is trying to balance their responsibilities with their desire to live life to the fullest. The singer admits that they have bills to pay and a family to take care of, but they deserve to have some fun after putting in long hours. The verses touch on various themes, including ambition, grinding, and the struggle of everyday life. The song confronts larger societal issues such as police brutality, poverty, and war.
The chorus is catchy and embodies the core message of the song. Jay Electronica uses wordplay to draw a comparison between himself and a peppermint, showing that he is not only fresh but also cool under pressure. When he pulls up in his luxurious foreign car, he can break boys off effortlessly. He has come a long way from the days of struggling and eating ramen noodles. The ambition of a dreamer pushed him from a Buick to a Beamer. He has a different hustle every season, which is akin to playing a sport. However, while it's important to grind and make money, it's also vital to remember that life is short, and making memories is essential. Despite the challenges he faces, he is blessed to be living in the free world and has the opportunity to chase his dreams and live life to the fullest.
The song also takes a political angle, touching on post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans and the poor treatment of black people by the police. The artist questions why the government is ignoring the plight of the people in the lower 9th Ward, and why soldiers in Iraq are praying for salvation. The song highlights the fact that danger is coming if change does not come soon.
Line by Line Meaning
I deserve to play, it's been a few days, ain't showed it all
I need some time off to enjoy myself, it's been a while since I've let loose and had some fun, but I haven't revealed all that I have to offer yet
I go outside and breathe, roll down my sleeves and have a ball
I step outside and take a deep breath, then I let loose and have an amazing time
Still got these bills to pay and a family, I'm workin' hard
I still have to cover my expenses and take care of my loved ones, so I work hard to provide for them
But I got a life too, so I throw on my shoes and I live it y'all
However, I also value my own life and happiness, so I put on my shoes and have the time of my life
I'm fresher than a peppermint and cold as a cough
I'm looking and feeling great, with a cool and confident demeanor
When I pull up in that foreign and I break boys off
I show off my luxurious foreign car and dominate any competition
Super ballin' is a product of a hard knock life
My lavish lifestyle is a result of overcoming tough challenges and obstacles
No more Ramen noodle spread, no more struggle and strife
I've left behind the days of poverty and difficulty, and now enjoy a life of luxury and ease
From a Buick to a Beamer, ambitions of a dreamer
I started with little and dreamed big, upgrading from a simple Buick to a high-end BMW
Motivated by Mob Figgaz and Andre Nickatina
I draw inspiration from the success and work of Mob Figgaz and Andre Nickatina
I'm gettin' paper while you're in the shade drinkin Zima
While others relax in the shade with a cheap beer, I'm hustling and earning money
I'm a schemer, you just waitin' on your check from FEMA
I'm always coming up with new plans and ideas, while others rely on government assistance for support
Been evadin' the subpoena to appear in court
I've been avoiding a court summons to face legal issues
Different hustle every season like I'm playin' a sport
I switch up my tactics and strategies regularly, like a pro athlete changing their game plan every season
"Life is too short, wouldn't you agree?"
Life is precious and fleeting, do you not think so as well?
See, the best time I ever had in my life was free
The most fun and memorable experiences of my life didn't cost a thing
My best friend wasn't real, he came with a fee
My closest companion wasn't genuine, they were only around for what they could gain from me
Reduced time for your sentence come with a plea
If you plead guilty, you may receive a lighter sentence
Livin' in the free world and I'm blessed
I'm grateful to live in a society where I have freedom and opportunity
Paper chasin' is my quest, I grind with no rest
My primary goal is to earn money, and I work tirelessly to achieve it
I'm not a actor, a role model with soul or clapper
I'm not pretending to be someone I'm not, a hero with good intentions, or someone who's just looking for attention
I work hard, a good gangsta nigga, blow a stack up
I'm a disciplined and dedicated person, a respectable person who occasionally spends money extravagantly
Time still movin' and shit, stay on the grind, it's just excuses
Time keeps moving forward, so there's no excuse for not working hard and staying dedicated
Girls lookin' at you, you useless (word?)
When women find you attractive, it doesn't matter unless you have something to offer
When everything is wrong, it look like it'll fall
When things aren't going well, it feels like everything is going to collapse
I'm on the job, feet first with direction and all
I'm committed to my work and goals, starting with my feet and moving forward with purpose
I like coca and then gotta come home and stroke her
I enjoy using cocaine, but still value going home to my significant other
Take time, clean my rims and go lock' her
I take time to clean and maintain my car, then go spend time with my partner
Just wanna lay up, damn
I simply want to relax and enjoy the moment
I need two minutes to rest, go 'head and take the Lex' out, scram
I need a brief break to recharge, go ahead and use my car, leave me alone
Then it's beef in the jump off, 'cause I needed one off
If someone starts a fight with me, it's because they took issue with me taking a break
It's like you drew your gun on me in a gun off
It feels like you're forcing me into a dramatic and unnecessary confrontation
Shit won't change, so move with it (move with it)
The situation won't improve, so just accept it and adapt
This is my life, I'm only livin' it, so don't go and ruin it
I only have one life to live, so don't try to interfere or ruin it for me
Words from a legend, keep your dome up in the sky
These are wise and valuable words from a legendary figure, so keep your head up and stay positive
Listen to Paul Wall and Chef Fly (get high)
Listen to the music of Paul Wall and Chef Fly and enjoy the high it brings
Dear Mr. President, have you seen FEMA?
Mr. President, have you witnessed the difficulties faced by those who rely on FEMA for assistance?
Have you seen the lower 9th Ward, post Katrina?
Have you witnessed the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the lower 9th Ward of New Orleans?
Niggas scufflin' tryin' to find something tangible
People are struggling to find something meaningful or concrete to hold onto
The MP's is treatin' all the youth like animals
Military Police are treating young people like they are less than human
Then wonder why the cops gettin rocked like Mosley
Police officers are getting into physical altercations, and it's not surprising given how they treat young people
Why niggas on the TV in the spot like cozy
Why do we see people on TV acting like they're comfortable and at ease, while others struggle and suffer?
Now Houston got a problem, Atlanta got a problem, Dallas, Alabama and Miami got a problem
Many cities across the United States are facing serious issues and challenges
Niggas wildin' out, livin' free, yellin' sovereign
People are acting out, living recklessly, and proclaiming their independence
.38 revolvin', crack rock ballin'
Guns are readily available and in use, while people also make money selling and using crack cocaine
Tats on they face that say Uptown New Orleans
People have tattoos on their faces declaring their allegiance to the Uptown area of New Orleans
Blastin' on sight, fuck fightin', fuck arguin'
People are resorting to violence instead of resolving issues through discussion and compromise
Meanwhile boat loads of cash go to Israel
While domestic issues remain unresolved, significant amounts of money are being sent to Israel
Soldiers in Iraq pray to God for a miracle
Those serving in Iraq are in dangerous and uncertain situations, often turning to religion for hope
Sam Cooke said that change was comin'
Sam Cooke heralded the coming of significant change
If not, you can bet your ass, danger's comin'
If change doesn't come, then an impending threat or danger is surely on the horizon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COREY WOODS, TRAVIS L. BARKER, ARCHIBALD HIGHTWATER, PAUL MICHAEL SLAYTON, TIMOTHY E. THEDFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@opydopy
Dont get me wrong man, Raekwon is one of my favourite artists and goes hard as hell on this track. What I'm trying to say is after I listened to this song, I thought nothing of the hook. I only thought of the verses and this dope beat. In my opinion Jay elec is one of the realest artists out there right now, along with everyone from wu tang ofcourse. keep it cool. cheeers
@ATLBaby71291
Jay Electronica and Yelawolf are the future....I could give a f*ck less on how old they are, they are the future. Look at Yela's discography , and listen to Jay E concepts, and how he delivers em in his songs......Their both geniuses, and the game needs to support em. And with K.R.I.T. on the production, it sounds like the South is getting its soul back.....Im loving it.
@jeffro1074
Only 219 comments, still a banger how this never went mainstream is beyond me
@camacho3201
UNa base bien hecha y una letra perfecta
@Shakedown600
I don't know when's the first time I heard this but I'm still listening. Classic!
@FortWhatever
TOO HOT, I love how Paul Wall is progressing and working with great artists....
@halflifeproductionz
wow that verse by jay was amazing!
@peri552
I love this track
@MrFloraly
that beat goes hard <3
@Flavorblade
Paul Wall verse was nice - clear thought, underrated flow.