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."
No doubt
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't afraid to shine different.. c'mon
Devoted life to the dream of lights and fortune and fame
I might just gain the vision, or just might be livin in vain
See in the game it's cool strolls and platinum thugs
Stack the cash, drugs and women; bubble in crime, trouble in time
I stay humble with mine, had drama for words
But I'm illuminatin like a thousand frozen wrists in the glint of the sun
Worth the Franklin Mint and Wall Street combined into one
They can't see it yet though, different like niggaz sayin petrol
for gas, english metric system, graded on the past
Just tryin to reach y'all, no one's at my arms length
want to stay in the race but slowly runnin out of breath
They all alike, can't understand, maybe it's safest
to play the role and be another glitch in The Matrix
Repetitive flow, embedded in dough
I run the risk of pissin everybody off, but I don't care if you know
[Chorus: Jean Grae]
Yo I'm on the line like white, china, table
Lay it all out for the shit; nigga, no, doubt
Fuck real, I'm right, told you the last time man
Fuck y'all, say it
Bring it, lay it all out for the shit; nigga, no, doubt
Fuck real, I'm right, told you the last time
Things ain't different, say it
Bring it, I'm on, now
[Jean Grae]
Quit for good, too many times, shit maybe I should
But it won't prevent rejection reappearin in life
I even lay the toughest down for you
Paint the ground blood pink for you, only so that you feel me right
Then hear me tight from the ills perhaps
But not a lot of scenes like movie stills are fleein from fiends and caps
I had, thrills and high spills, couple of hot chases
Romance with Jacks, Jills in dirty places
No jail cell been filled and no court cases
But committed murder of flesh, two of my own faces
At best I'm, a dime each, not a dozen, never cheap
Fornicated adultery once and now I never cheat
Younger sibling or two, family disfunctional
Problem with bein on time, hardly ever punctual
Punchclocks give me the runs, just not in my blood Akki
y'all flashin guns at me, time to go? Let it be
[Chorus]
[Jean Grae]
See I got these bill collectors, practically at the door chillin
I can't explain to Visa how I'm tryin to stack a million
Hustle on the side for chump change, it's not big time
I only do it for fries, chicken and wine and hump days
Reality spit, dudes and rap bitches sick of me
And if they right, they still print, I'm tryin to do calligraphy
All real, sit up just all night, just thinkin it's all wrong
Won't sleep 'til everything's alright
I made brush fire noise; I need four alarm
Three A.M. on the lawn with two kids and one slipper on
Blaze now, your days phase out like old sitcoms
Tryin to save the show by puttin new fuckin kids on
Love me or not, respect it for what it's worth
I'm like a bundle of dough in a knot in a purse under your cot
Undiscovered lines like connectin the dots
It's gonna happen, sooner or later
Fuck rappin, just givin data
[Chorus]
The song "No Doubt" by Jean Grae is a reflection on her life and career, as well as a commentary on the music industry itself. Grae starts off by acknowledging her desire for fame and success but recognizing that it may never come to fruition. She highlights the superficiality of the industry with its focus on money, drugs, and women, and how it presents a constant source of drama and trouble. However, Grae remains humble and dedicated to her craft, willing to take risks and face rejection to achieve her dreams.
Grae goes on to emphasize her uniqueness and non-conformity in the rap game, which can make it difficult for her to gain recognition. She compares herself to a thousand frozen wrists, shining brightly in the sun, worth more than the Franklin Mint and Wall Street combined. Despite her brilliance, she feels misunderstood and undervalued, with people unable to see beyond the norm. Grae refuses to conform to the repetitive flows and embedded greed of the industry, risking alienation but remaining true to herself. She concludes that her goal is not merely to rap, but to give data, imparting knowledge and truth to her audience.
Overall, "No Doubt" showcases Grae's lyrical prowess and her struggle with the music industry. It highlights the pressure to conform to societal norms but also emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and creative individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't afraid to shine different.. c'mon
I am not scared to stand out from the crowd.
Devoted life to the dream of lights and fortune and fame
I dedicated my life to pursuing wealth and fame.
I might just gain the vision, or just might be livin in vain
I could succeed in my dreams or be wasting my time.
See in the game it's cool strolls and platinum thugs
The music industry values a flashy and violent image.
Stack the cash, drugs and women; bubble in crime, trouble in time
Success in the music industry often comes with dangerous and illegal activities.
I stay humble with mine, had drama for words
I try to stay humble despite the challenges I face as a rapper.
Encountered some birds who tried to take the shine
I have faced jealous people who wanted to take my success away from me.
But I'm illuminatin like a thousand frozen wrists in the glint of the sun
My talent shines bright like diamonds in the sun.
Worth the Franklin Mint and Wall Street combined into one
My talent is incredibly valuable and powerful.
They can't see it yet though, different like niggaz sayin petrol for gas, english metric system, graded on the past
People do not understand my talent because it is unique and not easily comparable to others.
Just tryin to reach y'all, no one's at my arms length
I am trying to connect with my audience, but they are not receptive.
want to stay in the race but slowly runnin out of breath
I want to keep pursuing my dreams, but I am getting tired and exhausted.
They all alike, can't understand, maybe it's safest to play the role and be another glitch in The Matrix
People do not understand me, and it might be easier for me to conform instead of being myself.
Repetitive flow, embedded in dough
Many rappers have a boring and predictable style.
I run the risk of pissin everybody off, but I don't care if you know
I am willing to take risks and offend people in order to be true to myself.
Yo I'm on the line like white, china, table
I am walking a fine line between success and failure.
Lay it all out for the shit; nigga, no, doubt
I am giving my all to this music; there is no doubt about it.
Fuck real, I'm right, told you the last time man
I am confident in my talent and do not need validation from others.
Things ain't different, say it
My music is unique and not like anything else out there.
Quit for good, too many times, shit maybe I should
I have thought about giving up music many times.
But it won't prevent rejection reappearin in life
Even if I give up on music, I will still face rejection in life.
I even lay the toughest down for you
I am willing to take big risks for my audience.
Paint the ground blood pink for you, only so that you feel me right
I am willing to go to great lengths to get my message across to my audience.
Then hear me tight from the ills perhaps
My audience might understand my struggles through my music.
But not a lot of scenes like movie stills are fleein from fiends and caps
My life is not like a movie; it is full of real dangers and struggles.
All real, sit up just all night, just thinkin it's all wrong
I stay up all night, constantly thinking about my struggles.
Won't sleep 'til everything's alright
I will not rest until my problems are solved.
I made brush fire noise; I need four alarm
I am making a big impact in the music industry.
Three A.M. on the lawn with two kids and one slipper on
I am going through tough times, even in my personal life.
Blaze now, your days phase out like old sitcoms
Your time is running out; your relevance is fading.
Tryin to save the show by puttin new fuckin kids on
The music industry is trying to stay relevant by promoting new artists.
Love me or not, respect it for what it's worth
Regardless of whether you like my music or not, you should still respect my talent.
I'm like a bundle of dough in a knot in a purse under your cot
My talent is valuable and hidden, like a bundle of money under a bed.
Undiscovered lines like connectin the dots
My talent is unique and not easily recognizable.
It's gonna happen, sooner or later
I am confident that my success will come eventually.
Fuck rappin, just givin data
I am not focused on rapping; I am more interested in sharing information through my music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaimieh594
Whoever dislikes this track. Has bad taste in music simple as that. This lady is so underrated and her music makes sense. This world is messed.
@Niwde8411
Probably salty dudes that wish they could rap as good as her.
@iminhell8616
@@Niwde8411 they could be mumble rap fans for all we know #undergroundhiphop4life
@NaNa-gj1ip
I ain't afraid to shine different
@ShomariG
... this track brings back maaaad memories.
@TAURUSHILL
mc lyte, L. Hill, and Jean Grae my favorite female rappers of all time.... oh Missey
@Hoesnatcher
Jean Grae FOREVER
@IllUMINATED33
Dope! Jean always make great music.
@Anerdi1
One of the illest to do it!!!
@GSOUNDGREG
BOOOOM DOPE!!!