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.
Walk With It
Jay Electronica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
im out that third ward where they bussin heads
movin shakin hustlin scrambling buckin and duckin feds
the corner stay hot as sonars with blood rushing (russian) red
down in the dirty we bout it and we aint fuckin scared
i got em shook from the jump cuz im a solider these niggas is yellow
i told you im out that magnolia mah nigga fo reala
on the grind all the time woaday stackin that scrilla
talk slick and get chyo neck slit quick
cuz uptown niggas dont play that shit
and if you ready come get me
got a squad thats wit me
to blow the beef outta control like ja and fifty
im the king the daddy ya heard the best around
linked up with lil flip man we tear this bitch down
you know when them south boys is comin around
cuz all you gon' hear is lay it down lay it down
walk walk wit it x4
rock rock wit it x4
shake shake wit it x4
pop pop wit it x4
(Lil' Flip)
a lot of rap cats rap about jewels
but that aint rose gold thats fools
look at the shoes on the whip twenty-twos
I still got a deal what about you
I got liquor nigga you wanna drink?
I go on shopping sprees you want a mink?
Im just kidding i aint tricking for a hoe
this how im living i aint hurting for no dough
i push tight whips just like percy
i always rock custom jerseys
my new shit about to drop on you niggas
just call me hoe, when you not witcha nigga
(Jay Electronica)
now heres a little story i got to tell
about a fresh young nigga ya know so well
it started way back, in history
in that third ward magnolia the U-P-T
i was born in seventy six and raised in the eighties
pops left when i was six i was raised by ladies
son of Marilyn brother of Fal
i grew up one block over from the cell (?)
t-i told me to be easy but im hungry as fuck
i want a house on the hill and some blow in the truck
now im up in the club playa settin it off
with a mic in my palm tight lettin it off
shorty, smilin she say im spec-tacular
she wanna bite on my neck like dracula
she said she wanna show me something good after the show
whatever ma, but for now get yo ass on the floor
The lyrics to Jay Electronica feat. Lil' Flip's Walk With It paint a vivid picture of their upbringing and lifestyle in the Third Ward of New Orleans. The song starts off with Jay Electronica boasting about his tough upbringing and how he can handle anything that comes his way. He also speaks about how his neighborhood is full of danger, but he's not scared and ready to face it head-on. He's got backup in case things get out of hand, and he's not afraid to use it.
Meanwhile, Lil' Flip brags about his wealth and success in the rap game, showing off his flashy cars and custom jewelry. He's not interested in spending his money on women, but he's happy to share his liquor and go on shopping sprees with his friends. Despite his success, he remains humble, knowing that there's always more work to be done and more money to be made.
The lyrics also feature a brief biography of Jay Electronica, telling the story of how he was raised by women after his father left when he was young. He grew up in a tough neighborhood with his sister and brother, but he always had dreams of making it big. Now that he's in the rap game, he's ready to take on the world and become the best.
Overall, the lyrics to Walk With It showcase the struggles and triumphs of growing up in a tough neighborhood and making it in the rap game. It's a story of perseverance and determination, set to a catchy beat that's sure to get you moving.
Line by Line Meaning
im out that third ward where they bussin heads
I'm from Third Ward, an intense place where violence is common
movin shakin hustlin scrambling buckin and duckin feds
I'm constantly moving around, hustling to make money while avoiding the authorities
the corner stay hot as sonars with blood rushing (russian) red
The street corner is dangerous and the tension is palpable
down in the dirty we bout it and we aint fuckin scared
We are fearless and ready for anything, even in the dangerous and filthy surroundings
i got em shook from the jump cuz im a solider these niggas is yellow
I intimidate others from the start because I am tough, while others are weak
i told you im out that magnolia mah nigga fo reala
I am from Magnolia, a real and legitimate place
on the grind all the time woaday stackin that scrilla
I am always hustling and making money
its the south man we put the fuckin G in guerilla
In the southern US, we add a strong and aggressive G to the word 'guerilla'
talk slick and get chyo neck slit quick
If someone talks disrespectfully, they could quickly find themselves in danger
cuz uptown niggas dont play that shit
People from uptown are not to be messed with
and if you ready come get me
If someone wants to confront me, I am ready
got a squad thats wit me
I have a group of people with me who will have my back
to blow the beef outta control like ja and fifty
We are ready to escalate a confrontation, just like Ja Rule and 50 Cent
im the king the daddy ya heard the best around
I am the best around, the king and the 'daddy'
linked up with lil flip man we tear this bitch down
I teamed up with Lil Flip and together we will dominate
you know when them south boys is comin around
You can tell when southern people are approaching
cuz all you gon' hear is lay it down lay it down
Because of the intense and intimidating presence of southern people, others will be commanded to 'lay it down'
walk walk wit it x4
A chant to encourage listeners to walk with a particular rhythm
rock rock wit it x4
A chant to encourage listeners to rock with a particular rhythm
shake shake wit it x4
A chant to encourage listeners to shake with a particular rhythm
pop pop wit it x4
A chant to encourage listeners to pop with a particular rhythm
a lot of rap cats rap about jewels
Many rappers often rap about their expensive jewelry
but that aint rose gold thats fools
However, often times they are lying and it is not actually rose gold
look at the shoes on the whip twenty-twos
Take a look at the 22-inch rims on my car
I still got a deal what about you
I have a record deal, what about you?
I got liquor nigga you wanna drink?
I have alcohol, do you want to drink with me?
I go on shopping sprees you want a mink?
I spend a lot of money on shopping sprees, do you want a mink fur coat?
Im just kidding i aint tricking for a hoe
I am not the type to spend my money on women
this how im living i aint hurting for no dough
I live comfortably and do not struggle financially
i push tight whips just like percy
I drive nice cars, just like Percy Miller aka Master P
i always rock custom jerseys
I often wear custom-made jerseys
my new shit about to drop on you niggas
My new music is about to be released and will be a hit
just call me hoe, when you not witcha nigga
Just refer to me as 'hoe' when I am not around
now heres a little story i got to tell
Now I have a story to share
about a fresh young nigga ya know so well
It's a story about a young person you all know
it started way back, in history
The story began a long time ago
in that third ward magnolia the U-P-T
Specifically, it began in Third Ward Magnolia, in the Uptown area
i was born in seventy six and raised in the eighties
I was born in 1976 and grew up in the 1980s
pops left when i was six i was raised by ladies
When I was six, my father left and I was raised by my female relatives
son of Marilyn brother of Fal
My mother's name is Marilyn and my brother's name is Fal
i grew up one block over from the cell (?)
I grew up very close to a prison (the word 'cell' is unclear)
t-i told me to be easy but im hungry as fuck
T-I advised me to calm down, but I am eager for success
i want a house on the hill and some blow in the truck
I want to be wealthy and successful, with a luxurious home and a powerful car
now im up in the club playa settin it off
Now I am at the club, getting the party started
with a mic in my palm tight lettin it off
I am holding a microphone and performing with skill
shorty, smilin she say im spec-tacular
A woman is impressed with me, describing me as 'spectacular'
she wanna bite on my neck like dracula
She desires to be intimate with me, like a vampire biting someone's neck
she said she wanna show me something good after the show
She wants to spend more time with me and do something enjoyable after the performance
whatever ma, but for now get yo ass on the floor
I am dismissive of her suggestion and encourage her to dance instead
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.