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."
Take Me
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the shadow of darkness, praying to God heartless
(Take me) Wake me up, don't foresake me
(Take me) I pray hard, don't leave me waiting, please
(Baby) Yea, though through the valley
In the shadow of darkness, praying to God heartless
(Take me) Wake me up, don't foresake me
(Take me) I pray hard, don't leave me waiting, please
Oh lord, I'm having issues, more deep than American missiles
Shooting commuter planes and filing em missions official
I've hit depression hard and started to pick at the scabs
From the scar, I'm a mess addressing pain in a bar, I confess
'Cause all the rest just mar shit, chest in a cast
Feeling urges just to test out a casket, bless me I'm blasphemous
Jesus pass the fifth, I...have to get lit
Masochist self I'm only half of the health I was born with
(Baby) Save me, take me up high like 'dro
But way far past the stars and the sky
I'm blinding pain like I'm a junkie shooting up with
Emotional novacaine, I'm floating provoking the angels to jump me
In Lehman's terms, face been blurred, even early
I scratched crayon in between the holy word I pray on, but still
(Baby) Three gone, and maybe I'm in barren land
God help me, I'm having trouble with your master plan so
(Take Me) Through the shadows of valley of death, God
(Take me) when I'm shooting, taking last breaths hard
(Baby) I want to walk through the valleys praying lord
Will you help me, save me God, won't you tell me, tell me
(Take me) 'Cause I'm losing my faith, bless me
(Take me) 'Cause this world just want to test me
You see this dirty knife on the floor, this chrome nine in my hand
These foul thoughts in my conscious, constantly understand
See we taught to believe if you can touch it and see it, it must
Be real so go believe it. But I've never seen Jesus
I've never seen God, so he's only a thesis
And I'm questioning all these things in my time to depart
I know it's written suicide is giving hell and devils privilege
Only wicked heathens commit it, sin of ages, well fuck it, bring it!
Lately I've been waking early mornings screaming
"Save me," dreams of seven horsemen chasing Jean, hastening speed
So I'm raising the barrel envisioning marrow
Splashed on the wall and polka dotting all my apparel
And maybe, Ginsu blades through skin will slay
And split thin veins instead of loading clips that spray
And if I'm meant to stay, then I'll just pass through the gates
And fall a long way back to Earth, so why don't you just
(Take Me) Through the shadows of valley of death, God
(Take me) when I'm shooting, taking last breaths hard
(Baby) I want to walk through the valleys praying lord
Will you help me, save me God, won't you tell me, tell me
(Take me) 'Cause I'm losing my faith, bless me
(Take me) 'Cause this world just want to test me
You can see the pain twist my face from a distance
The body's windows glistening red hot from all of the indo
Thinking of my next of kinfolk, my mama
Opening doors, crimson billows spread out on the pillows and floor
I gotta block it out. I'm set on knocking out
Lock and aim and I'm dropping my frame quick when I pop in the brain
And if God's omnipotent, will he slip in and change
And move the pistol so it shoots out of range and the lead whistles
(Baby) Maybe he's just playing it'll ricochet and cripple me
Strictly for questioning, give me life to the pain
Sickle shaped body bent in the middle, so little
Kids who pass me harass me and giggle. My figure's
Itching to touch on the answers. Hard headed like
Exotic dancers' nipples, picturing the bullets ripping the skin
On the mantle I'm holding, pull back and blow the wick
Right off the candle, throw a kiss and told the world how to focus
So now (take me...take me)
Jean Grae's song "Take Me" explores themes of depression, questioning of faith, and feelings of being lost and hopeless in the face of a harsh and unforgiving world. The lyrics speak of the artist's struggles with depression and a sense of despair, as well as her often-troubled relationship with religion.
The opening lines of the song speak of praying to God while feeling "heartless" and lost, and the chorus repeatedly begs for God to "take me" out of this darkness and help the artist find her way again. The lyrics are raw and emotional, with lines like "I've hit depression hard and started to pick at the scabs/From the scar, I'm a mess addressing pain in a bar, I confess" painting a vivid picture of the artist's struggles with her own mental health.
Other lines show the artist grappling with her faith and questioning whether the things she has been taught to believe are really true: "See we taught to believe if you can touch it and see it, it must/Be real so go believe it. But I've never seen Jesus/I've never seen God, so he's only a thesis". Overall, the song is a powerful and moving expression of pain, desperation, and a hope for a way out of the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
(Baby) Yea, though through the valley
In the midst of intense struggle or suffering, I find myself feeling lost and alone.
In the shadow of darkness, praying to God heartless
I am calling out to God for help even though I may experience doubt and frustration in my heart.
(Take me) Wake me up, don't foresake me
I am asking God to help me overcome my struggles and not abandon me.
(Take me) I pray hard, don't leave me waiting, please
I am pleading with God to answer my prayers and help me without delay.
Oh lord, I'm having issues, more deep than American missiles
I am facing problems that are as entrenched and complicated as major geopolitical conflicts.
Shooting commuter planes and filing em missions official
These issues have become so serious that they require the attention of people in high positions of power and authority.
I've hit depression hard and started to pick at the scabs
I have been experiencing a deep depression and am now trying to deal with the lingering emotional wounds it has left.
From the scar, I'm a mess addressing pain in a bar, I confess
I am using alcohol to numb the pain of my past experiences, but I know that it is not helping me to heal or move on.
'Cause all the rest just mar shit, chest in a cast
Even though others may try to help me or offer their own advice, ultimately the pain I am experiencing is something only I can deal with and heal from.
Feeling urges just to test out a casket, bless me I'm blasphemous
I am feeling so hopeless and lost that even the idea of dying seems like a potential relief, though I know it would be considered wrong or sinful.
Jesus pass the fifth, I...have to get lit
I am turning to alcohol again because I feel like it is the only way to cope with my problems in the moment.
Masochist self I'm only half of the health I was born with
Due to my experiences and struggles, I feel like I am not living at full capacity, physically or mentally.
(Baby) Save me, take me up high like 'dro
I am asking for salvation and to be lifted up out of my current struggles.
But way far past the stars and the sky
I am not asking for a temporary solution, but for a permanent escape from my struggles.
I'm blinding pain like I'm a junkie shooting up with
I am experiencing a type of pain that is so intense it feels like an addiction or drug use.
Emotional novacaine, I'm floating provoking the angels to jump me
I am trying to numb myself to the pain emotionally, but that is only causing me to feel more lost and disconnected from others and the divine.
In Lehman's terms, face been blurred, even early
My understanding of myself and my own identity has become completely unclear and distorted, even from an early age.
I scratched crayon in between the holy word I pray on, but still
Even though I am trying to reach out to God for help, I know that I am doing so with a flawed understanding of myself and my own needs.
(Baby) Three gone, and maybe I'm in barren land
I have lost three important people, and feel like I am now living in a barren, lonely world.
God help me, I'm having trouble with your master plan so
I am struggling to understand how my own life fits into the larger, divine plan, and am seeking help and guidance from God.
(Take me) Through the shadows of valley of death, God
I am asking God to help me through the darkest, most difficult moments in my life.
(Take me) when I'm shooting, taking last breaths hard
I want God to be with me in my moments of pain and danger, and to help me through even the most harrowing or frightening experiences.
(Baby) I want to walk through the valleys praying lord
I want to be able to rely on prayer and faith to help me overcome my struggles, rather than succumbing to despair or seeking out unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Will you help me, save me God, won't you tell me, tell me
I am directly asking for God's help and guidance, and am seeking assurance that my prayers are being heard and acknowledged.
(Take me) 'Cause I'm losing my faith, bless me
My struggles are starting to impact my faith and belief in God, and I am seeking renewed strength and reassurance from the divine.
(Take me) 'Cause this world just want to test me
I am experiencing a lot of hardship and pain in the world, and am feeling overwhelmed and defeated by it all.
You see this dirty knife on the floor, this chrome nine in my hand
I am struggling with violent and self-destructive impulses, including those related to addiction, trauma, and mental health.
These foul thoughts in my conscious, constantly understand
I am struggling with intrusive and dark thoughts that are impacting my everyday life and ability to cope with my struggles.
See we taught to believe if you can touch it and see it, it must
I am reflecting on the limits of human understanding and perception, and how much we rely on concrete evidence or experiences to make sense of things.
Be real so go believe it. But I've never seen Jesus
Even though I have been taught to believe in a divine presence, I have never actually seen it or witnessed concrete proof of its existence.
I've never seen God, so he's only a thesis
Without any personal experience of the divine, my faith and belief in God feels more like an intellectual or theoretical construct than a tangible reality.
And I'm questioning all these things in my time to depart
I am wondering whether my faith and questioning of the divine is only growing stronger as I move closer to the end of my life.
I know it's written suicide is giving hell and devils privilege
I am aware of the religious condemnation of suicide, and how it is often associated with an affiliation with evil or darkness.
Only wicked heathens commit it, sin of ages, well fuck it, bring it!
Even though I know the social and religious stigma associated with suicide, I am feeling less and less attached to those judgments and more willing to consider it as an option.
Lately I've been waking early mornings screaming
My inner anguish and struggles are so intense that they are literally causing me to disrupt my own sleep with violent, emotional outbursts.
"Save me," dreams of seven horsemen chasing Jean, hastening speed
Even my subconscious is filled with images of danger and violence, further exacerbating my feelings of fear and instability.
So I'm raising the barrel envisioning marrow
I am contemplating hurting myself or others, potentially as a way of releasing some of my inner pain or as a form of self-punishment.
Splashed on the wall and polka dotting all my apparel
I am imagining the gory aftermath of such an act, and how it would impact not just my own physical body but everything around me.
And maybe, Ginsu blades through skin will slay
I am considering other violent ways of inflicting self-harm or violence, ones that might be less immediately lethal but still painful and dangerous.
And split thin veins instead of loading clips that spray
I am questioning the morality and effectiveness of violent acts, and considering how other forms of harm could potentially relieve or exacerbate my pain.
And if I'm meant to stay, then I'll just pass through the gates
If I am meant to live on and overcome my struggles, then I am hoping that divine intervention will provide me with the guidance and support I need to do so.
And fall a long way back to Earth, so why don't you just
I am acknowledging the possibility of eventual failure, loss, or disappointment, but am still remaining hopeful and seeking divine help and support along the way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY GILL, JAMES III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS, JOSEPH POWELL, VANESSA POWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maverick Styles
Always loved this joint, lyrically bodied the fuck out of the classic Lynn Collins track. Awesome throwback from an underrated lp and lyricist.
Talk Nerdy To Me
Whenever I visit a banger like this and it doesn't have a lot of views, but came out years ago, it makes me sad, but I understand. Hope you enjoy.
Dwayne Gayle
my female nas...I love u jean or too real dope ..u av rhyming storytelling finesse. 😍😍😍😍
Tobiasthejuggler
She's one of my favorite rappers of all time. I don't know what caused me to get this album when it was brand new but so glad I did. Been a fan since 04 . she kills any track shes on. if she's on a track you know it will be good . 😊💯
Cedric Wise
i got married...thought id never fall in love again....had a daughter thought id never fall in love AGAIN.......listened jean grae and here i am in love again lol
None One
I'm ashamed that I'm just now finding this artist. I pray everyone who needs to, finds this before they go too far. This is a necessity.
Blackvoid Rekods
she speaks and we listen #jeangrae
BIGFNMOOSE
I promise you, nobody out would battle her!
DBlockn05
Facts.
Rasheeda Reid
Great!