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."
Where You Gonna Run?
Jean Grae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We gonna do this one a little different.
Tryna test the waters
(Where you gonna run)
Not far
(Where you gonna run)
Where you gonna go
Niggaz fight your way through
If you're not ready to lose may I suggest that you let us the fuck through
Everybody clap your hands now, tear the walls down
Dance like Rudy Huxtable scoring a touchdown, you know
Hands in the air, knees in, knees out
Drop a little symbol on them this time, no doubt, let's go
I write ten years deep and tenure's still deep
My bad I'm sorry I don't like when phrases repeat
I meant for the decades almost passed and spaceball was the least
And I'm struggling still hustle to eat
I must be built with Adam and Eve skin
While y'all motherfuckers where you flushed in
With your heart poking through on your arm stupid
Drop more bombs than on Saddam's house unarmed
My mouth's a weapon I shout like Armguard steppin'
Didn't need to get loud, no disrepect
But you know the Jean is threat to your checks
Niggas heart burning no prowl though sec to stop the attack
Ya neck back's gettin hot on every drop on the track
And now I finally got some heat is good, let it be known
I'll still be here after all this shit is done said and gone
Can't keep running the same formula, I'm imploring ya
To quit fucking the game up, before it fucks all of ya up
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna hide
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Yeah come on, yeah come on
Watch these niggas start to run soon as I hit the track
What get the sack, eyes low like Friskin' cat
My flow get cap throw they gun like official Nas
I'm draftin' you niggas hard quick fast like tiptonat
Diamond cut lyrics so sharp the spit split the glass
Your mouth writing a check that you ask and quick to cash
Screaming how you quick to shoot don't even know the screenplay
Niggas rappin' black and white and rappers shakin' Jean Grae
Sick of niggas licking boots I pick
And choose my battles when I spit the truth it's hot
Let the pride and move the cattle
Y'all don't really want no beef, that's too real you want veal
You baby sheep hanging in the air and tend to raffle me
Me? I don't like the taste this shit's gamey
Like magazines telling lies and Star Wars like Dick Chaney
It sucks though they losing they flavor like Now and Laters
When I bust them niggas run for the hills like Al Queda
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna hide
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Yeah come on, yeah come on
She lacks delivery, really, nigga I pack rap symmetry and send it to ya dorm
Why y'all iggin' me for sure
Jean is synonymous to chivalry
Open doors but I step through first
Test the waters and I pee in them got no network
But now everyone's a rapper and everyone'll shoot you dead
Only led I strapped with a razor sharp pencil
That could write but it could stab you rapid
It's all ass backwards, you're all mall performers, actors
What tho?, come on let's race to where the cash is
Get mauled like Roy the alter boy
I'll jet through you like a Jet through flight, I'm unemployed
You still cared to touch me, I gotta keeps the rap level
You face screwed ugly
I'm chasing all you club bunnies
And racing you tackle you down
Take your money with your chest on the ground
I know it's foul, what you gonna do now
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna hide
Where you gonna run
Where you gonna run
Yeah come on, yeah come on
(I think it's time you gave it up!)
The lyrics of Jean Grae & Talib Kweli's song Where You Gonna Run talk about the struggles of the underground music scene and the pressure to conform to mainstream ideals. The first few lines express the desire to test the waters, to try something different. However, they immediately acknowledge that there may not be many options available and ask the question "Where you gonna run?" repeatedly.
The song also touches on issues of authenticity and the difficulties of maintaining one's artistic integrity while still trying to make a living. The artists mention the need to write ten years deep and still hustle to eat, implying that success in the music industry is not easy or guaranteed. They also criticize those who use the same formulaic approach to their art, warning them that it will eventually "fuck all of ya up."
Overall, the song is a call to action for artists to stay true to themselves and their art, even in the face of adversity and pressure to conform. It encourages them to keep pushing and experimenting, rather than giving up or giving in to the mainstream.
Line by Line Meaning
He's back again for the first day
Starting fresh with a new approach
We gonna do this one a little different.
Breaking the mold, trying something unconventional
Tryna test the waters
Exploring unfamiliar territory to push boundaries
(Where you gonna run)
Asking where one can escape from a challenge
Not far
There is no easy way out
Where you gonna go
Asking what alternate options may be available
I write underground climb up, this a new line up
Working hard to rise from obscurity with a fresh approach
Niggaz fight your way through
Urging perseverance despite obstacles
If you're not ready to lose may I suggest that you let us the fuck through
Challenging competitors to be prepared to face defeat
Everybody clap your hands now, tear the walls down
Encouraging support and celebration while breaking down barriers
Dance like Rudy Huxtable scoring a touchdown, you know
Celebrating small victories and finding joy in the moment
Hands in the air, knees in, knees out
Encouraging audience participation and movement
Drop a little symbol on them this time, no doubt, let's go
Adding something unexpected and unique to the performance
I write ten years deep and tenure's still deep
Having a long-running career and still being relevant
My bad I'm sorry I don't like when phrases repeat
Apologizing for overused language
I meant for the decades almost passed and spaceball was the least
Reflecting on past experiences and their relevance
And I'm struggling still hustle to eat
Working hard despite challenges to make a living
I must be built with Adam and Eve skin
Having innate strength and resilience
While y'all motherfuckers where you flushed in
Comparing others’ struggles with being comfortable and complacent
With your heart poking through on your arm stupid
Wearing your emotions on your sleeve and being vulnerable
Drop more bombs than on Saddam's house unarmed
Using powerful language in music to make a statement
My mouth's a weapon I shout like Armguard steppin'
Having a powerful voice and using it to effect change
Didn't need to get loud, no disrepect
Being assertive without being disrespectful
But you know the Jean is threat to your checks
Acknowledging one's influence and ability to make money
Niggas heart burning no prowl though sec to stop the attack
Refusing to back down despite opposition
Ya neck back's gettin hot on every drop on the track
Feeling the heat from the competition and striving to do better
And now I finally got some heat is good, let it be known
Having momentum and using it to one's advantage
I'll still be here after all this shit is done said and gone
Enduring and continuing to create music despite unknown challenges
Can't keep running the same formula, I'm imploring ya
Encouraging innovation rather than complacency
To quit fucking the game up, before it fucks all of ya up
Urging one to act responsibly in the music industry
Watch these niggas start to run soon as I hit the track
Causing competitors to feel intimidated and flee
What get the sack, eyes low like Friskin' cat
Being alert and ready to act despite appearing calm
My flow get cap throw they gun like official Nas
Having a powerful voice that can disarm opponents
I'm draftin' you niggas hard quick fast like tiptonat
Succeeding quickly and with ease
Diamond cut lyrics so sharp the spit split the glass
Having a crystalline delivery and impact
Your mouth writing a check that you ask and quick to cash
Being insincere and fake in music and life
Screaming how you quick to shoot don't even know the screenplay
Being unprepared and unrealistic in music and life
Niggas rappin' black and white and rappers shakin' Jean Grae
Being bold and unafraid to speak truth to power
Sick of niggas licking boots I pick
Preferring independence and refusing to kowtow
And choose my battles when I spit the truth it's hot
Being strategic and impactful in one's music and statements
Let the pride and move the cattle
Being unafraid to lead and influence others
Y'all don't really want no beef, that's too real you want veal
Complaining about others' inauthenticity and lack of realness
You baby sheep hanging in the air and tend to raffle me
Feeling overwhelmed by the competition and their tactics
Me? I don't like the taste this shit's gamey
Being unimpressed by others and their approach to music
Like magazines telling lies and Star Wars like Dick Chaney
Comparing the media and politics to deception and dishonesty
It sucks though they losing they flavor like Now and Laters
Bemoaning the lack of originality and creativity in music
When I bust them niggas run for the hills like Al Queda
Being intimidating and causing competitors to flee
She lacks delivery, really, nigga I pack rap symmetry and send it to ya dorm
Critiquing another's skills and contrasting one's own abilities
Why y'all iggin' me for sure
Questioning why others are underestimating one's talents
Jean is synonymous to chivalry
Having honor and respect in the music industry
Open doors but I step through first
Being polite but assertive in music and life
Test the waters and I pee in them got no network
Taking risks and being independent in music and life
But now everyone's a rapper and everyone'll shoot you dead
Being critical of others who lack authenticity in music
Only led I strapped with a razor sharp pencil
Using one's voice and lyrics as a weapon for change
That could write but it could stab you rapid
Having the power to both entertain and challenge listeners
It's all ass backwards, you're all mall performers, actors
Being critical of the music industry's focus on image over substance
What tho?, come on let's race to where the cash is
Acknowledging the financial incentives of the music industry
Get mauled like Roy the alter boy
Being brutal in music and life to succeed
I'll jet through you like a Jet through flight, I'm unemployed
Moving through obstacles with ease despite not having a safety net
You still cared to touch me, I gotta keeps the rap level
Not allowing others to bring one down or affect one's artistry
You face screwed ugly
Finding humor in others' frustration or negativity
I'm chasing all you club bunnies
Not taking oneself or the music industry too seriously
And racing you tackle you down
Pushing oneself to succeed and outdo the competition
Take your money with your chest on the ground
Succeeding financially despite humble beginnings or obstacles
I know it's foul, what you gonna do now
Being unapologetic and questioning competitors' readiness for a challenge
(I think it's time you gave it up!)
Urging others to quit or give up the music industry
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JONAS CARDIM, TALIB KWELI GREENE, TSIDI A IBRAHIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
southjerseysfinest
Still bang'n in 2017 & beyond...
REAL X-3
Just came to say that everlast lost to eminem never forget
RomeG1989
Jean Grae n Talib Kweli d0nt get n0 betta
Dirtyghettokid113
Jean Grae:]
RAW RAP TV
ctc / stomp down / money over ego / chi town
sam ajsat
5 *****;D
Carpyhook
Hahaha what is this hahahaha they sound like kids.
Hollo4ever
Sub