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."
Thank Ya
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y'all been wastin' too much time
And done left the door open for me (really really, c'mon)
I mean sleepin', and fuckin' up
Well thank ya! Thank ya! (thank you, thanks a lot though)
Y'all been wastin' too much time
And done left the door open for me
Well thank ya!
I spit like the kids on the little bus, non-stop
Skill more disturbing than the thought of your ex
having sex with one of your parents (ew!)
All on top like the flip missionary mission
Beatch! I'm straight trippin' like niggaz done killed my cousin
Been slept on, passed-over like in the Jewish tradition
Cast in cameos like I'm dressed in hand-me-downs
A step-sister, an afterthought, niggaz are shook, it's alright
'Cause I will smack you in the mouth, I'm Jean Grae
And it's an ill life, watchin' these niggaz fall from ghetto grace
And I'm willin' to fill in the blanks
Spillin' slick like a drunken oil tanker
Killin' off every rank in your squad (feelin me God?)
Vomitin' constant drama 'til my larynx scarred (ow!)
No passin', it is personal, fuck what you heard, it's been too long
I'm ready to go on, y'all still in dress rehearsal
Studyin' lines with understudies and clique buddies
Y'all just bullshittin', practicin', and need to be quittin'
Time to build back the paper (time to do it)
Hurry up before we all go crazy (crazy, crazy, crazy)
Been so long, so long, much too long
Don't it make you kinda wonder, if you trust it (alright)
The biggest wheels in town are gettin' busted (verse two)
Too, soon did you try and judge me, wait that's dumb conceited
Thinkin' you even heard of the chick who's gonna kill you later
I'm kiddin', bitter cause I'm written off as some sex kitten
Freezy freaky bitches like in 80's mittens - it's so sad!
Hate an insane amount of dudes, underground to the death
I rep it, y'all been so supportive, don't download the record
Check me only in the "yes" box, never put "no" or "maybe"
My gimmick bend more lyrics, straight lyrics, no crazy
The jig is up for real; rap puppies jumpin' up
And get a little treat for they deal
Shit all I need is a toke and a pack of stokes and then frequently I'll wait
And a mansion, weight and a shiny car, Jean Grae, superstar!
Really just look at what happens, cause cats is wiggin'
"I know who should never hang out with Jerry's children!"
It's scarin', like women that ain't really women
Just dudes who tryin' to holla at 'em
Fuck, that was confusing, just let the dude sing (alright)
Time to build back the paper (it's time, it's time)
Hurry up before we all go crazy (crazy, crazy, crazy)
Been so long, so long, much too long
Don't it make you kinda wonder, if you trust it (f'real)
The biggest wheels in town are gettin' busted (take it to the bridge!)
Too soon, we think, we know, too much, too soon we want to play
While we let the best, of, the greatest, slip away (rewind!)
Y'all been wastin' too much time
And done left the door open for me (thank you thank you)
I mean sleepin', and fuckin' up
Well thank ya! Thank ya! (thank you bitches!)
Y'all been wastin' too much time (this is where it goes off-beat)
And done left the door open for me (still feel it though)
Y'all been sleepin', fuckin' up, all around
Well thank ya! (good night!)
The opening lines of Jean Grae's song "Thank Ya" are directed at her audience, with Jean expressing gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her talents in a genre that has historically marginalized women. The lyrics address the struggles Jean faces as a female rapper, having been "slept on" and "passed-over" because of her gender. Despite this, Jean remains fearless and relentless in her pursuit of success, spitting rhymes with a skill that is "more disturbing than the thought of your ex having sex with one of your parents."
The verses of the song are a combination of witty wordplay and social commentary, with Jean taking aim at those who have doubted her and those who have perpetuated the exclusion of female rappers from the mainstream. She notes that rap music has become saturated with "rap puppies" who are rewarded for their gimmicks, while the true lyricists like her are ignored. In the chorus, Jean Grae implores her audience to "build back the paper," alluding to the need for financial independence and success in a cut-throat music industry.
Overall, "Thank Ya" is a powerful and introspective track that showcases Jean Grae's fearless attitude towards her craft. She addresses issues of gender and inequality while simultaneously flexing her rhyming skills and establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all been wastin' too much time
You have been wasting a lot of time.
And done left the door open for me (really really, c'mon)
You have left an opportunity open for me to succeed.
I mean sleepin', and fuckin' up
You have been being lazy and making mistakes.
Well thank ya! Thank ya!
Thank you for giving me an opening to succeed.
I spit like the kids on the little bus, non-stop
I spit rhymes continuously, like the kids on the special needs bus.
Skill more disturbing than the thought of your ex having sex with one of your parents (ew!)
My skill level is so high that it is even more disturbing than the thought of your ex having sex with one of your parents.
All on top like the flip missionary mission
I dominate everything, like the position in sex called the flip missionary mission.
Beatch! I'm straight trippin' like niggaz done killed my cousin
I'm angry, like my cousin was killed by someone.
Been slept on, passed-over like in the Jewish tradition
I have been overlooked, like someone in the Jewish tradition who is passed over.
Cast in cameos like I'm dressed in hand-me-downs
I have been given small roles like I am wearing someone else's clothes.
A step-sister, an afterthought, niggaz are shook, it's alright
I am like a step-sister or an afterthought, but I am still succeeding.
'Cause I will smack you in the mouth, I'm Jean Grae
I am not afraid to stand up for myself and fight back.
And it's an ill life, watchin' these niggaz fall from ghetto grace
It is hard to watch people from my community struggle and fail.
And I'm willin' to fill in the blanks
I am willing to provide solutions and support.
Spillin' slick like a drunken oil tanker
I am spitting rhymes quickly and rhythmically, like an out-of-control oil tanker.
Killin' off every rank in your squad (feelin me God?)
I am ending the success of everyone in your group, do you understand?
Vomitin' constant drama 'til my larynx scarred (ow!)
I am spitting out constant drama, until my voice is strained and hurts.
No passin', it is personal, fuck what you heard, it's been too long
This is personal, and I am not letting anything stand in my way anymore, no matter what anyone says.
I'm ready to go on, y'all still in dress rehearsal
I am ready to succeed, while others are still practicing and not ready.
Studyin' lines with understudies and clique buddies
Others are practicing with less-talented people in their groups.
Y'all just bullshittin', practicin', and need to be quittin'
Others are wasting their time practicing and need to give up because they will never have my level of skill.
Time to build back the paper (time to do it)
It is time to rebuild my career and make money.
Hurry up before we all go crazy (crazy, crazy, crazy)
We need to hurry before we all lose our minds.
Been so long, so long, much too long
It has been too long since I have succeeded.
Don't it make you kinda wonder, if you trust it (alright)
Doesn't it make you wonder if you can trust me?
The biggest wheels in town are gettin' busted (verse two)
The most important people in the industry are failing.
Too, soon did you try and judge me, wait that's dumb conceited
You started judging me before you even knew me, which is foolishly self-centered.
Thinkin' you even heard of the chick who's gonna kill you later
You think you know me, but I will prove you wrong when I succeed.
I'm kiddin', bitter cause I'm written off as some sex kitten
I am joking, but I am angry that I am often portrayed as a sexual object.
Freezy freaky bitches like in 80's mittens - it's so sad!
Women who are easy and freaky are looked down on, which is unfortunate.
Hate an insane amount of dudes, underground to the death
I hate many men and will continue to work hard, even if it means remaining underground.
I rep it, y'all been so supportive, don't download the record
I represent my music, and my fans have been so supportive that they should not even need to download my record illegally.
Check me only in the "yes" box, never put "no" or "maybe"
You will always want to choose 'yes' when thinking about me, not 'no' or 'maybe.'
My gimmick bend more lyrics, straight lyrics, no crazy
My talent is being able to write complex and creative lyrics that are still straightforward and not overly crazy.
The jig is up for real; rap puppies jumpin' up
The game is over and the young and inexperienced rappers are trying to take over.
And get a little treat for they deal
These new rappers will only be rewarded for their deal and not their skill.
Shit all I need is a toke and a pack of stokes and then frequently I'll wait
All I need is a cigarette and some time to wait and then I will succeed.
And a mansion, weight and a shiny car, Jean Grae, superstar!
I will become a superstar and have everything I need to be successful.
Really just look at what happens, cause cats is wiggin'
Just look at what happens, because people are going crazy over me.
"I know who should never hang out with Jerry's children!"
"I know who should not be allowed to be around children!"
It's scarin', like women that ain't really women
It is scary, like when women do not look like real women.
Just dudes who tryin' to holla at 'em
It is just men who are trying to hit on them.
Fuck, that was confusing, just let the dude sing (alright)
That was confusing, let's just move on.
Too soon, we think, we know, too much, too soon we want to play
We often think we know everything and want to succeed too quickly.
While we let the best of the greatest slip away (rewind!)
We let the best people slip away, and we need to go back and start over.
Y'all been wastin' too much time (thank you thank you)
Again, thank you for wasting time and giving me an opportunity to succeed.
And done left the door open for me (still feel it though)
I still feel the opportunity you have left open for me.
Y'all been sleepin', fuckin' up, all around
You have been lazy and making mistakes all around.
Well thank ya! (good night!)
Thanks a lot, have a good night!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Gambardella
the classic
men colice
less people know it the better it is, HA this is such a good beat
E
Allen Toussaint's "Worldwide" is the sample. the more people know it the better, but most won't.
Lilly
Jean spit some real sh!t, and youtubes otherwise always opinionated audience went shy all of a sudden... smdh.. hahahaha Great sh!t...
lee graham
Wow no comments......... DOPE SHIT
E
Worldwide by Allen Toussaint