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."
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."
My Contribution to This Scam
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
My contribution to this scam
I'm wearing overalls one shoulder off
Dwayne Wayne flip glasses
Syrup for my cough
It's gone be lit
I ain't wrote shit
My contribution to this scam
I mean, I just understand rap (yeah)
Like it's inside of me (me too)
Old-school, like, I so respect it
It says 2Pac on my shirt
My contribution to this scam
Everyone can say nigga, it's two-thousand-and
(Thousand-and-thousand-and)
My contribution this scam
You're Dot in the Wiz, you bring nothing, you ruin shit
Douchey Axe body spray influences
Why I gotta deus ex machina things? I'm done doing this
Save yourself, useless, untie the neck nooses
I'm tired, semicolon, sick
I done threw up the deuces 86 times with no, hint of, schtick
On the bullseye, tick lyme
Older than the distance of Reticuli
Particularly relevant so you know when I kick it
I'm an elephant, man
Not a Joseph Merrick, an elephant, fam
Don't forget, like America, the land of the Klan
They gave you that, I gave you nine-minute schoolgirl rants
Jill Palance, epic Eastern manifestos
Why you on'ya keisters waitin' for a trend to pop off?
You knock-off, Chinatown alleyway, circle jerk box-office ratings
YouTube reviewer, shut up
You contributed nutta thing, did I stutter? You're not helping
My contribution to this scam
I came in with a 40 oz
Five niggas I came up with, they all rap too
100 CDR discs, three fire sixteens, and a dime bag?
My contribution to this scam
I bought two bottles of Alizé to get it straight
Two stunts I've been tryna stun on from round the way
Plus my little man, here's the truth: peep what he gotta say
My contribution to this scam
Got that butt doe, yo where that rap at?
My contribution to this scam
Yo, what y'all know about the originals, fam?
What y'all know about the tree of life, what y'all know 'bout copper?
What y'all know about Houston? What y'all know about fear of a black messiah?
Class in session, no question, hands down
Pick up the mic and I make the bionic man sound
Ya clan's tryna get in the lens, they all fans now
Been hip-hop since Kris Kross was turnin' pants 'round
Errbody wanna be a brand, I follow the barcode
Don't write bars for the scans
And get bread, countin' carbs is the plan
Big for the britches, slurred slick talkin' off the liquids
Throwin' up like I'm crip walkin'
Bonin' up on the flow, circa '94
Peep how the kid went from a wee bit cold to cryo
The pro-black coal like Christ's toes
Bless his soul, optimist Esther Rolle
Disc jockeys jocked the diss, too sqoo
Out the pad, off the top like lice
Jumpin' up, high brain fried like rice and small prawns
Against slight odds and long arms
Of blue bloods and white hoods
Mad 'cause we young black niggas hangin' out in white hoods
Low-budget studios, pop stopper mama pantyhose
Now the CO's got Grammy cameos
Red bottoms on they high school sweetheart's hammer toes
A jay before the Emmys like Boy Better Know
My contribution to this scam
I got my rhymebooks in my backpack
In a fat sack just the contact could set you back
Like it was fall black and all that
My contribution to this scam
Let's go listen to this shit in the ride
Roll through the hood bang it out out on ten all night
My cuz got the plug in at Power 105
My contribution to this scam
HI I got my selfie stick 'cause I do it for the 'gram
This Flat Tummy Tea 'cause I do it for the brands
I make a rap album because anybody can
My contribution to this scam
Yo yo, peace and blessings, peace and blessings, sistar
(no no, just don't call me that)
Us wombyn gotta stick together (please no)
You know what I'm saying, femcee? (ugh)
My contribution to this scam
My contribution to this scam
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
I do it for the love, you know what I'm saying?
But uh, I mean that is unless you tryna pay me
'Cause uh, I mean for real, we can make a couple exceptions, y'know?
I'm wearing overalls one shoulder off
Dwayne Wayne flip glasses
Syrup for my cough
It's gone be lit
I ain't wrote shit
My contribution to this scam
I mean, I just understand rap (yeah)
Old-school, like, I so respect it
It says 2Pac on my shirt
My contribution to this scam
Everyone can say nigga, it's two-thousand-and
(Thousand-and-thousand-and)
My contribution this scam
You're Dot in the Wiz, you bring nothing, you ruin shit
Douchey Axe body spray influences
Why I gotta deus ex machina things? I'm done doing this
Save yourself, useless, untie the neck nooses
I'm tired, semicolon, sick
I done threw up the deuces 86 times with no, hint of, schtick
On the bullseye, tick lyme
Older than the distance of Reticuli
Particularly relevant so you know when I kick it
I'm an elephant, man
Not a Joseph Merrick, an elephant, fam
Don't forget, like America, the land of the Klan
They gave you that, I gave you nine-minute schoolgirl rants
Jill Palance, epic Eastern manifestos
Why you on'ya keisters waitin' for a trend to pop off?
You knock-off, Chinatown alleyway, circle jerk box-office ratings
YouTube reviewer, shut up
You contributed nutta thing, did I stutter? You're not helping
My contribution to this scam
I came in with a 40 oz
Five niggas I came up with, they all rap too
100 CDR discs, three fire sixteens, and a dime bag?
My contribution to this scam
I bought two bottles of Alizé to get it straight
Two stunts I've been tryna stun on from round the way
Plus my little man, here's the truth: peep what he gotta say
My contribution to this scam
Got that butt doe, yo where that rap at?
My contribution to this scam
Yo, what y'all know about the originals, fam?
What y'all know about the tree of life, what y'all know 'bout copper?
What y'all know about Houston? What y'all know about fear of a black messiah?
Class in session, no question, hands down
Pick up the mic and I make the bionic man sound
Ya clan's tryna get in the lens, they all fans now
Been hip-hop since Kris Kross was turnin' pants 'round
Errbody wanna be a brand, I follow the barcode
Don't write bars for the scans
And get bread, countin' carbs is the plan
Big for the britches, slurred slick talkin' off the liquids
Throwin' up like I'm crip walkin'
Bonin' up on the flow, circa '94
Peep how the kid went from a wee bit cold to cryo
The pro-black coal like Christ's toes
Bless his soul, optimist Esther Rolle
Disc jockeys jocked the diss, too sqoo
Out the pad, off the top like lice
Jumpin' up, high brain fried like rice and small prawns
Against slight odds and long arms
Of blue bloods and white hoods
Mad 'cause we young black niggas hangin' out in white hoods
Low-budget studios, pop stopper mama pantyhose
Now the CO's got Grammy cameos
Red bottoms on they high school sweetheart's hammer toes
A jay before the Emmys like Boy Better Know
My contribution to this scam
I got my rhymebooks in my backpack
In a fat sack just the contact could set you back
Like it was fall black and all that
My contribution to this scam
Let's go listen to this shit in the ride
Roll through the hood bang it out out on ten all night
My cuz got the plug in at Power 105
My contribution to this scam
HI I got my selfie stick 'cause I do it for the 'gram
This Flat Tummy Tea 'cause I do it for the brands
I make a rap album because anybody can
My contribution to this scam
Yo yo, peace and blessings, peace and blessings, sistar
(no no, just don't call me that)
Us wombyn gotta stick together (please no)
You know what I'm saying, femcee? (ugh)
My contribution to this scam
My contribution to this scam
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
Get tooken, get tooken
I do it for the love, you know what I'm saying?
But uh, I mean that is unless you tryna pay me
'Cause uh, I mean for real, we can make a couple exceptions, y'know?
The lyrics of Jean Grae's song "My Contribution to This Scam" express the rapper's frustration with the state of the rap industry and the inauthenticity of many of the genre's practitioners. The song opens with Grae describing her own look and approach to rap, which she characterizes as real and inspired by the old-school. She contrasts this with the many rappers she sees as posers, adopting fake styles and using corporate endorsements to sell themselves. The refrain "My contribution to this scam" is a self-deprecating commentary on Grae's own complicity in the industry, but also a statement of her intent to stand apart from the typical rap landscape.
The song's second verse takes a more aggressive tone, with Grae calling out specific rappers and industry players for their inauthenticity. She also references the history of racism in America, juxtaposing it with the way that many white people have co-opted black culture in recent years. The final verse is a bit more positive, with Grae describing the ways in which she believes authentic rap can still have an impact, even if it may not be as mainstream as it once was. Overall, "My Contribution to This Scam" is a biting critique of the rap industry and the commodification of black culture, delivered with Jean Grae's signature wit and intelligence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gavin Christopher Tennille, Tsidi Ibrahim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@mellomusicgroup
"Class in session. No questions. Hands down....
Errbody wanna be a brand. I follow the bar code. Don't write bars for the scans."
http://smarturl.it/EverythingsFineMMG
@jsun7972
Mello Music Group yo every video from this album has been amazing art. Love the album and love the visuals!
@rulerallah9322
God, keep this type of energy flowing, y'all super sick, dope, with the beats and rhymes....!!"
@docm4544
Jean Grae and Quelle Chris one of the most iconic duo's there is!!! Their frequency is on a whole new plateau, this energy can't be matched!! They gotta be in love to be this on par and to feed off each others chemistry!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@jeffknapp201
I love everything each of you do. Then y'all go and join forces, get married, make music together? I'm in.
@siyasangaification
I know right!!!
@Robert-si5su
Jean Grae with one of the best verses I’ve ever heard
@superawesomeboy
I think we can all agree that this is one of the 💥💥 albums 2018
@jackofallfades2656
Fantastic! Great concept and fits the song well. Thanks y'all
@shad0wunleashed
Ghost at the finish line is underrated af