Hip-Hop has been dying from several different diseases over the last decade. There has been an overall lack of creative talent being promoted by the record companies as each label falls over the previous in a rush to bring us the latest fad in cRap music. Sellout ringtones to soulless robotic voice machines. From anthems that create dance crazes to crazed cough medicine filled anthems. If Hip-Hop still had a heart it was going into cardiac arrest.
More than all of that Hip-Hop was missing one half of its very essence. There hasn’t been a first rate female emcee since Rah Digga. My homegirl Lin Que is still on the set out there somewhere, but when was the last time that we listened to a female rap because she had skills and not because we thought (and hoped) that a tittie would pop from her bustier? Enter underground phenom Jean Grae.
Jean Grae was bringing lyrics back from the beginning of her career. She is a devoted Hip-Hop head which means that she is a fan of all music. I started to really listen to Jean Grae after she did the ‘No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn’ remix single with GAME Rebellion. All you underground Hip-Hop heads (RAFI) knew about this chick like ten years ago. I’m glad for her that she is finally becoming an overnight success. Without Rah Digga or Lauryn Hill the game has been in a shambles. Jean Grae can’t bring rap back all the way by herself, but when I see artists like Joell Ortiz, Phonte, Wale, Immortal Technique and Jean Grae I know that real Hip-Hop lives on.
Copp Jean Grae and 9th Wonder’s new album ‘Jeanius’ on iTunes.
Don’t Rush Me
This World
My Story
Love Thirst
‘Jeanius’ album covers via 2DopeBoyz
