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.
Shiny Suit Theory
Jay Electronica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
I pack up all my sins and I wear 'em to the show
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
In the land before time
A land before altar boys, synagogues and shrines
Man was in his prime
Look how far I go in time just to start a rhyme
The method is sublime, you get blessed with every line
I'm in touch with every shrine from Japan to Oaxaca
The melanated carbon-dated phantom of the chakras
Me and Puff, we was chilling in Miami
He said, "Nigga fuck the underground, you need to win a Grammy
For your mama and your family, they need to see you shined up
You built a mighty high ladder, let me see you climb up
Nigga what you scared of?
Terrorize these artificial rap niggas and spread love
Pollinate they ear buds
Like you supposed to, spit it for the culture
Pay no attention to the critics and the vultures
They rather have a shot of Belvy just to spite you
They casting judgments 'cause they feel they got the right to
Fuck 'em, I let the dice roll like The Father did
I gotta shine, it's in my blood, I'm a Harlem kid
I treat my babies right, treat my ladies ladylike
Hit them with a remix to make sure that they play me twice
I thought you said it's the return of the black kings
Luxurious homes, fur coats and fat chains
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
I pack up all my sins and I wear 'em to the show
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
I pack up all my sins in every L that I blow
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
In this manila envelope, the results of my insanity
Quack said I crossed the line 'tween real life and fantasy
Can it be the same one on covers with Warren Buffett?
Was ducking the undercovers, was warring with muh'fuckers
Went from warring to Warren, undercovers to covers
If you believe in that sort of luck your screws need adjusting
In the world of no justice and black ladies on the back of buses
I'm the immaculate conception of rappers-slash-hustlers
My God, it's so hard to conceive
But it all falls perfect, I'm like autumn is to trees
Aw, the doc interrupted, he scribbled a prescription for some Prozac
He said, "Take that for your mustard
Boy, you must be off your rocker
If you think you'll make it off the strip before they 'Pac ya
Nigga, you gotta be psychotic or
Mixing something potent with your vodka
It takes a lot to shock us, but you being so prosperous is preposterous
How could this nappy headed boy from out the projects
Be the apple of America's obsession?
You totally disconnected with reality, don't believe in dreams
Since when did black men become kings?"
You have no idea, yeah
The meaning to what I say
And you have no idea
Of how I got this way
Now hear my dreams
And by the time you wake
I'll look down from the clouds
See I'm on my way
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
I pack up all my sins and I wear 'em to the show
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
I pack up all my sins in every L that I blow
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
In "Shiny Suit Theory," Jay Electronica talks about the struggles he's faced on his journey to success. He describes himself as sailing on a cloud, an experience that no one else can understand, according to his therapist. The rapper packs his sins into every joint he smokes and wears them to his shows, letting go of his past and embracing his present. He takes us on a trip back in time, a time before religion and the influence of altar boys, synagogues, and shrines. Jay Electronica says that man was in his prime then, and he uses this imagery to start his rhyme.
The rapper then shifts to a conversation he had with Puff Daddy (P. Diddy) in Miami. Puff tells him to forget about the underground scene and aim for a Grammy to give his mother and family the recognition they deserve. Jay is reminded that he is a Harlem kid, and he has to shine. He has to spread love, pay no attention to critics, terrorize artificial rap niggas with his music, and let the dice roll. He has to be the return of the black kings - luxurious homes, fur coats, and fat chains. However, his therapist thinks Jay's dreams are disconnected from reality, and he doesn't believe in dreams. She prescribes him some Prozac for his "mustard."
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sailing on a cloud, they trailing below
I'm feeling on top of the world and leaving my problems behind
My shrink told me, "It's a feeling they'll ever know"
My therapist said that the general public won't understand my feelings
I pack up all my sins and I wear 'em to the show
I accept all of my past mistakes and bring them with me to face my audience
And let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go, let 'em go
I release my sins and let go of my past mistakes
In the land before time
In the distant past
A land before altar boys, synagogues and shrines
A time before organized religion
Man was in his prime
Humans were at their best
Look how far I go in time just to start a rhyme
I'm going back in history to find inspiration for my lyrics
The method is sublime, you get blessed with every line
My creative technique is excellent and my music is like a blessing to my fans
I'm in touch with every shrine from Japan to Oaxaca
I am spiritually connected with many different cultures from around the world
The melanated carbon-dated phantom of the chakras
I am a spiritual being, connected to my energy centers and the universe
Me and Puff, we was chilling in Miami
I was hanging out with Puff Daddy in Miami
He said, "Nigga fuck the underground, you need to win a Grammy
Puff Daddy encouraged me to aim higher and focus on mainstream success
For your mama and your family, they need to see you shined up
My loved ones want to see me successful and recognized for my talent
You built a mighty high ladder, let me see you climb up
You've achieved a lot, and now you need to climb even higher
Terrorize these artificial rap niggas and spread love
I want to challenge and inspire other rappers, while also spreading positivity
Pollinate they ear buds
I want my music to inspire and influence my listeners
Like you supposed to, spit it for the culture
I need to make music that represents and uplifts my community
Pay no attention to the critics and the vultures
I shouldn't let negative opinions or hate affect my creative process
They rather have a shot of Belvy just to spite you
Some people would rather drink expensive alcohol than support my music
They casting judgments 'cause they feel they got the right to
People feel entitled to judge and criticize me, even if they don't know me
I let the dice roll like The Father did
I take risks and trust the universe, like God does
I gotta shine, it's in my blood, I'm a Harlem kid
I have to be successful, it's in my DNA and my upbringing
I thought you said it's the return of the black kings
I thought we were supposed to be empowering black men
Luxurious homes, fur coats and fat chains
Some rappers only care about material possessions, instead of using their platform for good
In this manila envelope, the results of my insanity
I'm putting my innermost thoughts and emotions into my music
Quack said I crossed the line 'tween real life and fantasy
My therapist thinks I'm struggling to separate my reality from my imagination
Can it be the same one on covers with Warren Buffett?
Is it possible that I, a rapper, could be on the same level as a billionaire like Warren Buffett?
Was ducking the undercovers, was warring with muh'fuckers
I was avoiding the police and fighting with other people
Went from warring to Warren, undercovers to covers
I went from being in conflict and avoiding the law, to being on magazine covers with wealthy people
If you believe in that sort of luck your screws need adjusting
If you think my success is just a matter of luck, you're mistaken
In the world of no justice and black ladies on the back of buses
In a world where there is still inequality and discrimination
I'm the immaculate conception of rappers-slash-hustlers
I am a perfect combination of talent and street smarts
My God, it's so hard to conceive
It's difficult for people to understand my level of talent and success
But it all falls perfect, I'm like autumn is to trees
Everything in my life is falling into place like the changing of the seasons
Aw, the doc interrupted, he scribbled a prescription for some Prozac
My therapist interrupted, and wrote me a prescription for antidepressants
He said, "Take that for your mustard
He told me to take the medication, as if it were just another condiment like mustard
Boy, you must be off your rocker
He thinks I'm crazy
If you think you'll make it off the strip before they 'Pac ya
If you think you'll live long enough to escape the violence and drama of the rap industry
Nigga, you gotta be psychotic or
You must be crazy if you think you can escape the industry's cycle of violence and tragedy
Mixing something potent with your vodka
He thinks I must be using drugs or alcohol to deal with the stress of my career
It takes a lot to shock us, but you being so prosperous is preposterous
People are hard to impress, but my success seems unbelievable to some
How could this nappy headed boy from out the projects
How could someone with my background achieve such success?
Be the apple of America's obsession?
Why would the public be so obsessed with me?
You totally disconnected with reality, don't believe in dreams
He believes I'm out of touch with reality and have unrealistic expectations
Since when did black men become kings?
He questions why there is so much attention on black men in the entertainment industry
You have no idea, yeah
You don't understand
The meaning to what I say
The deeper messages in my lyrics
And you have no idea
You don't understand
Of how I got this way
The experiences and struggles that shaped me as a person and artist
Now hear my dreams
Listen to my aspirations and goals
And by the time you wake
By the time you understand
I'll look down from the clouds
I will have achieved my dreams and be on top of the world
See I'm on my way
I am on the path to success and won't let anything stop me
Lyrics © JAMIE MUSIC PUBLISHING CO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barbara Mason, Timothy Thedford, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind