Jean Grae (real name Tsidi Ibrahim, also known as What? What? & Da Easter B… Read Full Bio ↴Jean Grae (real name Tsidi Ibrahim, also known as What? What? & Da Easter Bunny, born November 27, 1976) is a hip hop artist from New York.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa on November 26, 1976, the daughter of South African jazz musicians (her father and mother are the celebrated musicians Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim), she studied Vocal Performance at the LaGuardia School of Music & Art before majoring in Music Business at New York University. She also did some modelling during her teen years.

Ibrahim initially worked under the names Major Woody & Da Easter Bunny because she thought it would be funny to hear those names announced at shows. After working with groups including Ground Zero, she joined a hip hop music group called Natural Resource in the mid-1990s, along with rapper Ocean. In 1996 they released a pair of 12-inch singles called Negro League Baseball b/w "Bum Deal" b/w "They Lied," and "Bum Deal(remix)" b/w "They Lied(remix)" b/w "I Love This World" on their own label Makin' Records. She also appeared on singles by fellow Makin' Records artists Pumpkinhead and Bad Seed, and on the O.B.S. (Original Blunted Soldiers) double 12-inch single alongside crew members Pumpkinhead, Bad Seed, and Meat-pie, and produced much of the material released on the label under the pseudonym Run Run Shaw. During this period she established strong ties with the Brooklyn Academy crew, with which she would appear throughout her career.

Solo career (1998-2004)

Natural Resource dissolved in 1998, after which Ibrahim changed her stage name from What? What? to Jean Grae, a reference to the X-Men character Jean Grey. Under her new moniker, she released her first LP—Attack of the Attacking Things—in 2002, and followed it in 2004 with This Week. Throughout her career she has also recorded tracks with numerous major hip hop artists, Atmosphere, The Roots, Talib Kweli, The Herbaliser, Da Beatminerz, Phonte, Mr. Len, Masta Ace, Vordul Mega, C-Rayz Walz, Mos Def, and Immortal Technique among them.

Jean has recorded an unreleased album with celebrated North Carolina producer 9th Wonder, of Little Brother fame, entitled Jeanius. This unfinished record was leaked on the internet, and subsequently work was stopped on this album. However, at the release party for 9th Wonder's Dream Merchant Volume 2 album she stated that Jeanius was still going to be released. This album was eventually released first through Zune Live Marketplace two weeks before its disc release on July 8, 2008. The album features the track "My Story", about the abortion she had as a teenager. Her rapping on the album was described by Robert Christgau as "remarkable for its rapidity, clarity and idiomatic cadence. The writing has a good-humored polysyllabic literacy.". Elsewhere, it's been reported that her proposed fourth album, provisionally titled Phoenix has gone into production. It has been reported by several camp insiders that 9th Wonder will handle the lion's share of the production duties with unknown UK producer Passion hifi and NY resident Clinikal providing a beat each.

Blacksmith Music (2005-present)

Previously signed to Babygrande Records, she signed a deal in 2005 with Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Records. On 28 April 2008, Jean Grae posted a blog on her MySpace page saying goodbye to her fans.[9] She later cited disenchantment with the music industry and desire to start a family as the reasons behind the 'retirement' and said that she was working on new material and still wanted to continue in music: "You know what? I need that Grammy. I think I might be able to stop after that". In July 2008, Talib Kweli posted a blog explaining Grae's album, mentioning that she was not retiring. The blog ends encouraging fans to purchase the album, referring to Grae as "one of the last true MCs left." Grae returned to doing live performances later that year.

On September 18, 2008, Jean Grae posted a Craigslist ad offering her creative services for $800/16 bars. On her MySpace blog entry, she states, "I don't wanna complain anymore, I just wanna change some things about the way artists are treated and the way you guys are allowed to be involved, since it IS the digital age."

Knock
Jean Grae Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[ VERSE 1 ]
Yo, this shit keeps weighin me down, beatin me up
Like every day's governed by Murphy's Law
It never drops, but inside I'm, tied up
In stress knots and chains and bills that ain't paid
I damn near work for Dun & Bradstreet
Keep a bank card and a wallet for show, I hate empty spaces
Fill 'em with MetroCards that's been already took me places

Fun Passes, loose changes, gum wrappers, maybe numbers
Battery covers to CD players, and that's it
I got some plastic
But can't even use it, the bad credit's so drastic
Ask me bastard if I'm signed, I rhyme sick
But niggas is quick to turn they back on spitters with clits
Hit em with this, and ridiculous phrase flow that exit my lips
Hey yo, I mean my face, though
They still want chicks with tits and ass out
My respect is worth more than your advance cash-out
I'm fuckin you right in the ear
If these chicks did it you'd be catchin gonorrhea
The only thing I spread is tinnitus
Just tryin to keep this shit right
And for all of y'all askin when my joint droppin
Watch me this year

It's like.

[ CHORUS ]
Hustles don't get knocked, except the ones that
Fuck with my business and dough, you can forget that
I told you once it's not gangsta, it's just right
Don't get it fucked, I don't like to spit my shit twice
Keep your fake thuggin, afraid to get in fist fights
Glittery knuckles never made me shiver, buckle never
Knocka, this how I get down

I'ma have to do that again, so y'all can hear it

[ CHORUS ]

That's what I said, yeah yeah
Yeah
Yeah

[ VERSE 2 ]
It's crazy how I'm still catchin with no major distribution
Slice through like guillotines, I'm precise with a execution
The definition of artist, past the hype and the business
So I paint the track like a canvas in post-impressionist style
Time keeps gettin postponed like Emmy Awards
My moms cataloguin my shit like she's Afeni Shakur
Many of y'all ain't even worth a penny for thoughts
So I ignore the rumors and the biters
More than y'all ignore the Unsigned Hype in The Source
Peace to Steady Rock and Tyson [Name]
And a big fuck you to bitch Chris Lombardi at Matador
And every A&R that turned me down
Props to kids who stayed loyal since "Baseball" dropped
And copped the underground, see, the barrel was facin me
Now I turn the gun around and it's got unlimited ammunition
I dare you to question, now they'll know I'm dressin
So don't skip through the record
But if you're lookin for some shit to bump in the ride, you should check it

[ CHORUS ]

Alright, alright
One more time
One more time

[ CHORUS ]

What
What
What
What
What

Get it?
Got it?
Good

Let's get on with it then

Overall Meaning

In Jean Grae's song "Knock," the rapper reflects on the struggles and pressures she faces as an artist in the music industry. She feels weighed down by financial stresses and the constant need to prove herself. The lyrics suggest frustration with the industry's preference for female artists who fit a certain image rather than those who excel lyrically. Grae emphasizes her dedication to her craft and her refusal to conform to industry standards despite the obstacles in her path. The chorus reinforces her message that true hustle and talent will never get knocked, while the fakers and posers will fall by the wayside.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, this shit keeps weighin me down, beatin me up
The problems in my life are constantly causing me stress and making me feel physically and emotionally drained

Like every day's governed by Murphy's Law
It feels like the universe is conspiring against me and everything that could go wrong does go wrong

It never drops, but inside I'm, tied up
My stress and anxiety never go away, but rather continue to build up until I feel trapped and helpless

In stress knots and chains and bills that ain't paid
My problems are tangible and overwhelming, taking the form of debts, bills, and financial burdens that are preventing me from living my life

I damn near work for Dun & Bradstreet
I feel like I'm working to pay off my debts and credit score, rather than working for my own personal fulfillment

Keep a bank card and a wallet for show, I hate empty spaces
I feel like I need to maintain the image of financial stability even if I don't have it, and I hate the feeling of emptiness or inadequacy

Fill 'em with MetroCards that's been already took me places
I try to find solace in small tokens of past experiences, like used MetroCards or other items that remind me of happier times

But niggas is quick to turn they back on spitters with clits
People are quick to dismiss women rappers like me and focus on their physical attributes rather than their talent

They still want chicks with tits and ass out
Despite my talent, people are still more interested in women rappers who are conventionally attractive and sexualized

My respect is worth more than your advance cash-out
I value my artistic integrity and respect more than selling out for a big paycheck

Hustles don't get knocked, except the ones that
I believe in working hard and being rewarded for it, but those who try to cheat and take advantage of others will eventually get caught and punished

Fuck with my business and dough, you can forget that
If you mess with my money or try to undermine my success, don't expect me to forget or forgive

I told you once it's not gangsta, it's just right
I don't believe in acting tough or violent for the sake of a fake 'gangsta' image, but I will stand my ground and defend myself when necessary

Glittery knuckles never made me shiver, buckle never
I'm not intimidated by flashy or showy displays of wealth or power, because those things are ultimately superficial

It's crazy how I'm still catchin with no major distribution
Despite not having the backing of a big record label or widespread distribution, I'm still able to find success and build a following

The definition of artist, past the hype and the business
I define success and creativity by my own terms, not by the hype or business practices of the music industry

More than y'all ignore the Unsigned Hype in The Source
People are more likely to overlook and ignore talented artists who haven't been discovered by the mainstream media, even if they've been praised by smaller outlets

Now I turn the gun around and it's got unlimited ammunition
I'm in control of my own destiny and talents, and nobody can take that power away from me

But if you're lookin for some shit to bump in the ride, you should check it
While my music might not be mainstream or heavily promoted, it's still worth listening to and enjoying

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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