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."
The Hurt ft. Mr. Len
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who drop it like an Acme anvil-lain
Freeze your chest to leave you breathing ill
How about Jean and a fifth of Nyquil in ya
Grilling my perimeter
Niggas exposed, see who pulls and falls, I ain't feeling ya
Told y'all, I'm proof two-oh-oh
Hotter than the diaphragms of twenty bitches backstage with chlamydia
No Range, no whip -- same for all the niggas I hang with
I'm a pen-holding, gold-rocking, 40-swigging nigga
Figure me out, maneuver me, sue me for getting into ya
Sting like another word for the cops
Zen master, classes held on the wax
Your homework is playback
Pro-black and anti-bitch, anti-snitch
Mic cords is whips, trains is fours, fives, and sixes
And no Benz and fuck friends, I'll be the last chick standing
Wait, nah, fuck that -- bring at least one man in
[Chorus]
Say what, nigga?
Speak up, I can't hear you
Look me in my eyes if you feel that I should see you
Still drunk from last night
Buzzing off my last fight
What if I turned around and quickly whipped your ass?
I'd be right
Jean, bench-press strength is a million and five strong
No henchmen, yes-niggas to survive on
Investment figures is little to ride on
No nine-to-five, a nine to get live on
Live onstage like a Shante Roxanne
With men and some rock band
Mosh pits, cocks, and hands
I'm a mic addict, type dramatical life
High gramatical status
Non-compatible, non grata
No Prada, no baby father
Out of place like Road Rules insider
Won't spill bottles of vodka
I'm prejudiced, bastard
Rule, kill you with tender service
Eat the food and pass gas in your closed casket
I'll get my ass kicked and talk shit while it's happening
Heard shots, run to the side that niggas clapped in
I been punk, been drunk, been drugged but fuck it
Now I fight back
You could pull the vinyl from your backpack
(Oh right, that's your gat; oh right, I forgot)
[Chorus]
My type is wrong, weight is thick
Height depends if I've been stumbling all night long
Write for songs like I'm hyped to hold the mic for throngs
Gather round, rip down stages
Just to prove points
Made minimum wages for joints
And still blaze your boys
Stay poised when I'm flipping on your toy bullshit
No chips, just shit in your face
Hate your moms, take your arms
Make you watch all the rape scenes from Oz
Round of applause when you bound to fall and get tossed
Your high-floss, high gloss and mega high beams
Strange it seems, your daylight still ain't seeing me
New York representative, I told you before
And the only way I like it is raw, no pause
In "The Hurt" by Jean Grae, the rapper unapologetically asserts her dominance in the rap game and pulls no punches as she calls out those who try to step in her way. She brags about her skill with words, her strength, and her respective crew, and expresses her disdain for anyone who tries to cross her. In the first verse, she describes herself as "hotter than the diaphragms of twenty bitches backstage with chlamydia," effectively suggesting that she is so powerful that she can outdo even those who are portrayed as highly sexualized women. She emphasizes her no-nonsense attitude and disdain for those she sees as weak in lines like "No Range, no whip -- same for all the niggas I hang with," implying that she surrounds herself with only the toughest people in order to stay on top.
Line by Line Meaning
Bank on the best
Trust in the best
Who drop it like an Acme anvil-lain
Who drop it heavily like an Acme anvil-lain
Freeze your chest to leave you breathing ill
Cause you to feel sick with fear
How about Jean and a fifth of Nyquil in ya
How about Jean and a bottle of Nyquil β which causes drowsiness β making you feel sleepy
Grilling my perimeter
Watching my surroundings carefully
Niggas exposed, see who pulls and falls, I ain't feeling ya
People revealed themselves and I'm not impressed by those who turned out to be weak
Told y'all, I'm proof two-oh-oh
I already told you that I am 200 proof, meaning that I am pure and strong
Hotter than the diaphragms of twenty bitches backstage with chlamydia
More attractive and talented than the 20 women with STDs in the backstage
Snot-nosed punks, I'm that deranged chick
I'm that crazy woman who doesn't tolerate disrespectful youngsters
No Range, no whip -- same for all the niggas I hang with
I don't drive luxury cars, and neither do the people I usually hang out with
I'm a pen-holding, gold-rocking, 40-swigging nigga
I am an MC who holds a pen, wears gold, and drinks 40 oz. bottles of malt liquor
Figure me out, maneuver me, sue me for getting into ya
Try to figure out my personality, interact with me, sue me for getting too close
Sting like another word for the cops
The way I rap and write lyrics is intense, like the way cops can be intimidating
Zen master, classes held on the wax
Master of relaxation; performing rap songs on vinyl records
Your homework is playback
Your task is to listen to my recorded tracks
Pro-black and anti-bitch, anti-snitch
I'm in favor of the black community and against women who behave poorly and people who inform the police
Mic cords is whips, trains is fours, fives, and sixes
Microphone cables are so strong like whips, and the subway trains I take are numbered 4, 5, and 6
And no Benz and fuck friends, I'll be the last chick standing
I'm not interested in driving a Mercedes-Benz and I don't care about friendship; I just want to be the last woman standing
Wait, nah, fuck that -- bring at least one man in
Wait, no, forget that β let at least one man join me
[Chorus]
Refrain
Say what, nigga?
What did you say?
Speak up, I can't hear you
Talk louder, I can't hear what you're saying
Look me in my eyes if you feel that I should see you
Make an eye contact with me if you want me to notice you
Still drunk from last night
I'm still drunk from the previous night
Buzzing off my last fight
I'm still excited because of my recent fight
What if I turned around and quickly whipped your ass?
What if I suddenly attacked and defeated you?
I'd be right
I'd be correct in my actions
Jean, bench-press strength is a million and five strong
My physical prowess is equivalent to bench-pressing over one million pounds
No henchmen, yes-niggas to survive on
I don't have underlings to rely on, just friends who support me
Investment figures is little to ride on
I don't have a lot of money to invest
No nine-to-five, a nine to get live on
I don't have a regular job; I rap to generate income
Live onstage like a Shante Roxanne
I perform live concerts like MC Roxanne Shante
With men and some rock band
With male musicians and a rock band
Mosh pits, cocks, and hands
Wild crowd situations with pushing, shouting, and raised hands
I'm a mic addict, type dramatical life
I am addicted to the microphone and live a dramatic life
High gramatical status
Having excellent grammar skills
Non-compatible, non grata
Not able to coexist, not welcomed
No Prada, no baby father
I don't wear fancy clothing brands or have children
Out of place like Road Rules insider
Feeling out of place, much like an outsider in the MTV show Road Rules
Won't spill bottles of vodka
I won't waste a bottle of vodka
I'm prejudiced, bastard
I have biases and prejudices, but you can call me that word if you want
Rule, kill you with tender service
I am a compassionate ruler who can even kill you kindly if I want
Eat the food and pass gas in your closed casket
I will eat food at your funeral service and break wind near your coffin
I'll get my ass kicked and talk shit while it's happening
If someone beats me up, I will still insult them while it happens
Heard shots, run to the side that niggas clapped in
Heard gunshots, will run to where the other people are shooting
I been punk, been drunk, been drugged but fuck it
I've been humiliated, drunk, and high, but I don't care
Now I fight back
I am ready to fight back
You could pull the vinyl from your backpack
You probably have some vinyl records in your backpack
(Oh right, that's your gat; oh right, I forgot)
(Oh yeah, that's your gun; oh yeah, I forgot)
[Chorus]
Refrain
My type is wrong, weight is thick
I am not the ideal type of person; I am overweight
Height depends if I've been stumbling all night long
My height appears to change if I have been drinking and walking all night long
Write for songs like I'm hyped to hold the mic for throngs
Compose music as if I am thrilled to perform in front of a large crowd
Gather round, rip down stages
Make an audience surround the stage and perform energetically
Just to prove points
Perform in a way that proves my talent or worth
Made minimum wages for joints
Earned low wages for performing rap songs
And still blaze your boys
And still smoke marijuana with your male acquaintances
Stay poised when I'm flipping on your toy bullshit
Stay composed when I am criticizing or attacking your insignificant actions
No chips, just shit in your face
I don't bring happiness or benefits, I just bring discomfort and problems
Hate your moms, take your arms
I am violent towards your mother and will physically harm you
Make you watch all the rape scenes from Oz
Make you watch all the rape scenes from the TV show Oz
Round of applause when you bound to fall and get tossed
People will applaud when you eventually fail and get kicked out
Your high-floss, high gloss and mega high beams
Your fancy clothes, glossy appearance, and bright headlights
Strange it seems, your daylight still ain't seeing me
It's bizarre that you still can't see me even though it's daytime
New York representative, I told you before
I am a representative of New York and I've said that before
And the only way I like it is raw, no pause
And I only like raw or unprocessed things, without any pausing or stopping
Lyrics Β© OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BRR949
I haven't heard this song in many years, this is what first introduced me to Jean Grae in the first place. "The Hurt" was on a compilation CD that a record label sent me, back when they still had mail order catalogs. This is a jam.
@brandimcdonald5481
My Queen Jeany Greasy.πππ½
@yowspisaac6113
π€πΏπ
@blankspace282
4 comments are not sufficient to defend the legacy of one of my favorite songs of all time
@NanMoney
"Shut up GIRL!" Lmao awesome
@Gomezgani__
Shit still slaps π₯π₯π₯
@martinridgway3062
Wack emcees are still feeling it from when It first dropped...
@3dfznr831
Still π£π£π£
@fabmaster1153
2.5k views? Underrated af
@xelefonte
the artwork for this video is like 0.1 pixels at best