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 LPβAttack of the Attacking Thingsβin 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."
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 LPβAttack of the Attacking Thingsβin 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."
Love Song
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
She grew up believing in passion and love
Whose folks divorced and remarried
Very naive
Seen life and committments that shoulda been dead and buried
Highly sentimental
Sensitive
Gentle beyond the point she should be
What might be obvious to most, she says they too bitter
Can't see the world the way she does
Clean lungs, undamaged liver
Sees thugs through a pink-tinted glasses
Occasionally
Weed does make her giggle
Listen to some music closer
Dudes approach her
Lightly
Want to be her lover and she obliges
Likes to cuddle under the covers by candlelit fires
Oblivious to lying schemes to talk her out of clothes
Says she's just in love with love
Cuts her classes
Spending too much time entrancing romancing
Things are changing quickly
She's asking "why aren't you spending more time with me?"
Nigga's eyes are getting shifty
Coming over later smelling of pussy
On his face, jeans, and sweaters something's fishy
And it's not what he tells her, man, it's what he don't
And she don't understand and for some years, she probly won't
Just wants an honest man
For goodness sake
They backstabbing and cutting her throat
Restraining orders follow, but she still optomistic about it
Like annie, thinking tomorrow will maybe be a better day
I let her pray on bended knees "ask him to send prince charming, please"
She's never cheated
Treats her man well
Cooks, cleans, dresses sexy for him
Halter tops and tight jeans
Would break the law for him
Go through a couple of these relationships
Still stays strong
She's too young and dumb to call it quits
Learns that she carrying twice
Scared and afraid the first time
The second she don't even cry
Makes her wipe away his tears and it hurts
They always leave return crazy, so she doesn't flirt
Spends time warning the babies
Goes through a couple of these relationships and still stays strong
Too young and dumb to call it quits
Its still a love song
She's got a good man
She's 19, he's 21 and sweet and honest
Promised to love her
Talk of marriage
She would never want to be somebody's baby's mother
Use rubbers occasionally
When she's flowing
Open to all the affection and gifts and all the good manners he's showing
He's trying to build a life for himself
Studies late computer shit and she's missing attention that she's not getting
Sex dwindles
Crawling in the sheets
He say "ya tired" and she say she feel "neglect and defeat"
Just doesn't see his ambition
She want to be the universe and hold his center position
Starts hanging round the best friend more
Crazy attraction takes impultive action
Drop the drawers
And falls in love
The world explodes
And she confesses "yeah I did it, so?"
They so tight it like he moves when she stretches
Over the couple years
Too many stresses
Girls who want to fight her
Bitches writing letters
Friendships disappearing
Plus he rhymes, so it's competitive
Pressure miscarriage
They break up fifty times a week and make up just as much
He fuckin', and I know, but pretending I'm out of touch
It's getting strained and gets physical
She cries until the river dries and leaves her dead and cold
Packs up her things and leaves behind what I thought was gold was only gold-plated
Thinking of all the other ones I coulda just left and up and dated
Singled after four years
Starting over never easy
But it takes some time to realize your own worth
Come into your own
Play your mental rebirth
She starts penning some better poems
Straighten up her bank account
Likes to take herself out
I'm getting better at it
I've had a few relationships
But still too young and dumb enough to call it quits
It's still a love song
Love
All I ever want is you
All I ever had, leading in my life was you
All that ever was, all I ever had
Maybe it's easier to talk about this shit in third person
Learning better
Wooking pa nub in all the wrong places
Like I'm Eddie Murphy
Curse me to repeat the same cycle
I'm breaking
No longer think relations make a better woman
Just for life, I'm pursuing
Growing, but hopelessly romantic still
Tasted weather in the bitter climates
Love the sunshine better
Dreaming of dream proposals
Decent moral values placing higher on my chart
Trying not to have a shallow heart
But battle scars are deep and reaching to the depth of hell and back
Try to give up the grudges
Think it's experience and move from the clutches of sadness
It's difficult
Sometimes I wish I wasn't an adult
Adolescent primetime sitcom star
I've been too far and too much, too hard, for too long
It's still a love song
Whose folks divorced and remarried
Very naive
Seen life and committments that shoulda been dead and buried
Highly sentimental
Sensitive
Gentle beyond the point she should be
What might be obvious to most, she says they too bitter
Clean lungs, undamaged liver
Sees thugs through a pink-tinted glasses
Occasionally
Weed does make her giggle
Listen to some music closer
Dudes approach her
Lightly
Want to be her lover and she obliges
Likes to cuddle under the covers by candlelit fires
Oblivious to lying schemes to talk her out of clothes
Says she's just in love with love
Cuts her classes
Spending too much time entrancing romancing
Things are changing quickly
She's asking "why aren't you spending more time with me?"
Nigga's eyes are getting shifty
Coming over later smelling of pussy
On his face, jeans, and sweaters something's fishy
And it's not what he tells her, man, it's what he don't
And she don't understand and for some years, she probly won't
Just wants an honest man
For goodness sake
They backstabbing and cutting her throat
Restraining orders follow, but she still optomistic about it
Like annie, thinking tomorrow will maybe be a better day
I let her pray on bended knees "ask him to send prince charming, please"
She's never cheated
Treats her man well
Cooks, cleans, dresses sexy for him
Halter tops and tight jeans
Would break the law for him
Go through a couple of these relationships
Still stays strong
She's too young and dumb to call it quits
Learns that she carrying twice
Scared and afraid the first time
The second she don't even cry
Makes her wipe away his tears and it hurts
They always leave return crazy, so she doesn't flirt
Spends time warning the babies
Goes through a couple of these relationships and still stays strong
Too young and dumb to call it quits
Its still a love song
She's got a good man
She's 19, he's 21 and sweet and honest
Promised to love her
Talk of marriage
She would never want to be somebody's baby's mother
Use rubbers occasionally
When she's flowing
Open to all the affection and gifts and all the good manners he's showing
He's trying to build a life for himself
Studies late computer shit and she's missing attention that she's not getting
Sex dwindles
Crawling in the sheets
He say "ya tired" and she say she feel "neglect and defeat"
Just doesn't see his ambition
She want to be the universe and hold his center position
Starts hanging round the best friend more
Crazy attraction takes impultive action
Drop the drawers
And falls in love
The world explodes
And she confesses "yeah I did it, so?"
They so tight it like he moves when she stretches
Over the couple years
Too many stresses
Girls who want to fight her
Bitches writing letters
Friendships disappearing
Plus he rhymes, so it's competitive
Pressure miscarriage
They break up fifty times a week and make up just as much
He fuckin', and I know, but pretending I'm out of touch
It's getting strained and gets physical
She cries until the river dries and leaves her dead and cold
Packs up her things and leaves behind what I thought was gold was only gold-plated
Thinking of all the other ones I coulda just left and up and dated
Singled after four years
Starting over never easy
But it takes some time to realize your own worth
Come into your own
Play your mental rebirth
She starts penning some better poems
Straighten up her bank account
Likes to take herself out
I'm getting better at it
I've had a few relationships
But still too young and dumb enough to call it quits
It's still a love song
Love
All I ever want is you
All I ever had, leading in my life was you
All that ever was, all I ever had
Maybe it's easier to talk about this shit in third person
Learning better
Wooking pa nub in all the wrong places
Like I'm Eddie Murphy
Curse me to repeat the same cycle
I'm breaking
No longer think relations make a better woman
Just for life, I'm pursuing
Growing, but hopelessly romantic still
Tasted weather in the bitter climates
Love the sunshine better
Dreaming of dream proposals
Decent moral values placing higher on my chart
Trying not to have a shallow heart
But battle scars are deep and reaching to the depth of hell and back
Try to give up the grudges
Think it's experience and move from the clutches of sadness
It's difficult
Sometimes I wish I wasn't an adult
Adolescent primetime sitcom star
I've been too far and too much, too hard, for too long
It's still a love song
The song βLove Songβ by Jean Grae describes the experiences of a young girl who grows up naΓ―ve and sentimental about love. She remains optimistic, despite her parentsβ divorce and other setbacks around her. She believes in true love and wants to be in love always. The song captures the trajectory of her love life through the years, with narratives of innocent crushes, passionate love affairs, heartbreaks, and betrayal. Her experiences with love, however, don't always align with her romantic notions, and she struggles to understand the complexities of adult relationships.
Throughout the song, the singer's relationships are punctuated by drama, deceit, and miscommunication. Despite the difficult moments, she remains open and receptive to love. She doesn't give up on her quest for true love even after experiencing cheating, emotional abuse, and heartbreak. As the song progresses, she becomes more self-aware and begins to understand herself, men, and love in more realistic terms. She matures and learns to value herself and her worth in relationships, and by the end of the song, she has begun to chart her own course in life.
Overall, the lyrics of the song βLove Songβ portray the struggles, disappointments, and growth of a young woman's romantic journey. They depict her initial naivety, her up-and-down love life, and her eventual progress towards self-awareness and maturity.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mack Alcime
One of the most beautifully written rap songs ever. The way she subtly switched from speaking in the third person at the start of the song to first person by the end, which helps signify her coming to peace with all the heartbreak. Amazing. A masterpiece of a record
Lottie Keohuloa
I couldnβt agree with you more. The best also complements her lyrics so well. Itβs a whole vibe in itself.
ConcaCon
While I understand that she speaks from the viewpoint of a woman, to me as a man, this is perhaps one of the most relatable love songs any rapper has ever written. The reflection. The admittance of naivety and the "hurt people hurt people" vicious cycle. The finding of self. The acceptance of scars. Thank you, Jean.
Luisa Acevedo
ConcaCon Werd up π―!
APDaBaron
I'd go farther than that. its one of the best songs in hip hop history.
APDaBaron
This shit was dope. and she SPIT that shit hard as hell.
Creamus Jones
4 sure π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
Vashon E.
Agreed!!!!!
Eliza
It kills me how underrated Jean Grae is. She is truly one of the best... love her.
lettingyouknow1
This ladyβs mind is amazing. To even conceive these words put them down and vocalise them in flawless hip hop bar form is just nothing short of impressive!