IAR Interview: Jean Grae

 Present day hip-hop is altering and evolving daily.  Sustainability and longevity in the game gets lost in the shuffle, as artists take their timely shot at overnight success.  The emergence of new artists is far more potent then the resurgence of seasoned artists.  As the game itself transforms, so do the attitudes and tolerance of the fans, making lasting relevance only for the rarest breed of MC.  Jean Grae is that rare breed.  Since 1996, Grae has been paving the way, not only for female artists, but males alike, and doing so from the proverbial, but existing, hip-hop underground.  What she has proved is that lyricism, perseverance, and work ethic trump all else.  Grae pioneered the idea that female MC's don't have to sell image or sex, but instead, can be lyrical and possess the same gritty attitude and in-you-face persona as any male artist, and be successful.  The South African native has perpetuated a sound that has not only stayed consistent with decades of change, but has re-defined antiquated lanes that hip-hop's been missing.  Having released multiple projects (Attack Of Attacking Things, The Bootleg Of The Bootleg EP, The Evil Jeanius w/Blue Sky Black Death, etc.) and having worked with the majority of big names in the industry (Wale, Styles P, The Roots, and 9th Wonder to name a few) Jean Grae has kept the true spirit of the art form alive with a cipher approach and unparalleled, intelligent wordplay and has been able to transcend the rap game's generational gaps.  Legacy.  Legend.

Trendsetter.  These are the operative words when examining her career and what she has been able to accomplish.  After a four year hiatus, (if you can even call it that) Grae has returned to her breeding ground of prominence.  As she gears up for the release of "Cake or Death" and "Gotham Down" the rap vet and NY repper is once again proving how unmitigated talent and progression outlasts time.  It's A Rap had the opportunity to catch up with the Evil Jeanius herself and with the release of her most recent mixtape "Cookies or Comas" (2011) and features on tracks with Pharoahe Monch and Talib Kweli, Jean Grae is once again staking her undeniable claim on the hip-hop world.  She's back, stronger than ever, and with no departure in sight.

IAR: How has your South African heritage and New York upbrining shaped you as not only an artist, but a person altogether?
JG: "It's made me better than everyone else on earth.  Nah, just kidding.  That's so arrogant!  Better than 98% of other people."

IAR: What triggered the decision to change your name from What? What? to Jean Grae?
JG: "I was going to start working as a solo artist.  Also, I didn't see that name becoming less annoying to introduce myself as."

IAR: Having such an impacting and lasting career, how have you not only managed to stay relevant, but be a forging and innovative presence in Hip-Hop?
JG: "I think not making "dated" or "follow the trend" music is key.  Make timeless music.  Make the art that you want to. Consistently push yourself to evolve and improve as a human being and an artist.  Goes hand in hand.  I don't settle.  I don't say, "Well, this is it, I think I'm pretty good now." (at whatever)  There's always room for improvement and growth and always something new to learn."

IAR: You took a short hiatus, how do you think the rap game has changed in that time period?
JG: "Mmmm, even in my "hiatus" I wasn't really on a hiatus.  I was still appearing on songs and performing.  I don't know.  Things change because they have to.  It's 2012.  Nothing's going to be like 1996.  The model for a "successful rap career" is completely different.  The technology has changed everything and the access to people has changed everything."

IAR: How has your music grown from let's say, "Attack of Attacking Things" to your newest project?
JG: "Leaps and bounds.  I was young.  I hadn't exactly found my voice yet.  I think it's such an interesting project, looking back.  That would be a LOOONG question to answer.  I think it's better explained via the actual music."

IAR: To true hip-hop heads you're undoubtedly the "Queen of the Underground."  Do you feel that way?
JG: "Nah.  I don't know what "the underground" means in this day.  I don't know what that's supposed to sound like.  I'm totally "the Boss of me" though. (Laughs)  I'm gonna' go with that title."

IAR: Any artists/producers you want to work with that you haven't yet?
JG: "A lot.  I've been really blessed to work with legends and absolute genius so far, so I hope to continue on that path."

IAR: What can we expect from the new projects "Cake or Death" and "Gotham Down" as far as lyrically, as well as the production side and features?
JG: "Ooh!  I'm not telling about features!  Lyrically, Gotham Down is different from Cake Or Death.  Cake has a lot more vulnerability and uncomfortable moments.  Gotham Down is produced entirely by me.  Cake Or Death has some amazing producers and live musicians."

IAR: Future plans/projects?
JG: "Gotham Down LP, Cake Or Death EP.  "Life With Jeannie" is the 30 show I'm writing and directing, that'll be soon.  Yes, a bunch of fun stuff.  Also, VIDEOS, VIDEOS AND MORE VIDEOS!  Really excited to get into the visual aspect of all of these projects.  Break a bunch of rules and find some new ones, then break those."

Visit www.jeangrae.com

Download Jean Grae music from www.itunes.com

Follow on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/JeanGreasy

The SwAze Playlist XXVIIII

The SwAze Playlist XXVIIII.  No particular order, just equally dope..Certified.

1. Chris Travis-"Codeine Vision"

2. Chief Keef-"Save That Sh*t"

3. L.E.P. Bogus Boys-"Darkness"

4. Kendrick Lamar-"Chapter Ten"

5. Gunplay-"4 Loko"

6. Paypa ft. Chip Tha Ripper-"Turnt Up"

7. Mike Classic-"Every Year Since"

8. Chevy Woods-"Drunk In Vegas"

9. Young Dro-"Mercy"

10. Wiz Khalifa-"Never Been"

IAR/SwAzeLife Pic Of The Week

SwAzeLife

Underground Spotlight: D. Bledsoe

Name: D. Bledsoe
Age: N/A
Hometown: Richmond, CA
Affiliation: Red Planet Music Group (RPMG)
Released Projects:
"Spill'd Milk" "The Air Up There" "C.A.K.E." "Black Entourage" "Stay Classy" "New Breed" "Richmond Bridge"
Upcoming Projects:
"Good News" EP (Fall 2012)

Infectious is the operative word when speaking on D. Bledsoe.  The Richmond, CA native has remained rigidly consistent throughout all of his projects.  Along with fluent delivery and favorable lyricism, Bledsoe's knack for creating descriptive landscapes with his lines is what is invigorating his notoriety.  Having a substantial list of projects, he is all to familiar with the laborious grind of hip-hop's underground.  D. Bledsoe's individuality is impressive, especially being a California artist, which often times is type cast and confining to say the least.  The RPMG affiliate merges all styles of the rap game, switches up delivery, and combines elements from all regions, making him one of the more exceptional underground artists hip-hop's seen in some time.  His most recent release "Spill'd Milk" further cements his consistency and highlights his impeccable skill set.  As he gears up to drop his newest EP, "Good News" Bledsoe will already be equipped with the aptitude for the game and a savvy sense of the industry.  D. Bledsoe is a name that the mainstream industry is assuredly going to acknowledge.  As his buzz grows and artists repeatedly request features, spilled milk with be the least of his concerns.

Download "Spill'd Milk" at www.datpiff.com

Follow on Twitter @www.twitter.com/ImDBledsoe        

The SwAze Playlist XXVIII

"IAR" brings you the 28th installment of The SwAze Playlist.  You know the routine, no particular oder, just equally dope..Certified.

1. A$AP Rocky ft. A$AP Ant & Flatbush Zombies-"Bath Salt"

2. Drew Reigns-"It's All Good"

3. Kendrick Lamar-"Swimming Pools (Drank)"

4. Sir Michael Rocks ft. Casey Veggies & Mac Miller-"Great"

5. Trademark Da Skydiver-"Comin' Up"

6. Ace Hood-"We On"

7. Iggy Azalea ft. T.I.-"Murda Business"

8. Rick Ross ft. Wale & Drake-"Diced Pineapples"

9. XV-"Pictures On My Wall"

10. Jay Rock ft. Chris Brown-"Westside"

IAR/SwAzeLife Pic Of The Week

Fancy

Underground Spotlight: Yung Gee

Name: Yung Gee
Age: 28
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Affiliation: L.U.T
(Loyalty.Unity.Trust)
Released Projects:
"Street Musik"
"Definition of Loyalty"
"Kush & Drums"
Upcoming Projects:
"Red Dot" (TBD)
"Oakland Raider" (TBD)


The present harshness of the streets of Oakland, CA can be condemning to say the least.  The everyday hustle and grind, violence and negativity is a tough and challenging reality for people who experience it.  Yung Gee is no stranger to these experiences.  However, like every tale of struggle, there comes a tale of triumph, which is also an experience for which Yung Gee is familiar.  The 28 year old Bay area spitter is using hip-hop to speak for the streets.  To tell stories of struggle for people that don't have a voice.  His street savvy demeanor combined with a sharpened wit and emphatic flow make Gee a polished and well-rounded artist.  The peculiar thing surrounding his music is the simple fact that he has no specific or categorical sound.  The music not only crosses all lanes, but in the process, transmits real and raw messages in the lyrics.  For the majority of hardened rapper's from the block, it's hard to determine real from fabrication, but for Yung Gee, real is all you get.  From crafty punch lines, smooth delivery, to hard hitting production, the LUT captain is operating in, and refining, a hardcore lane of hip-hop thats update is long over due.  With the recent release of the highly touted "Kush & Drums" and a significant buzz well beyond the Bay, Yung Gee is impressively expanding as an artist in a way that will make the industry take notice.  Loyalty.Unity.Trust. is the moniker he lives by and with the hunger of a rookie and the poise of a vet, Gee's tale has only just begun. 


Visit www.yunggee.com 


Download "Kush & Drums" at www.datpiff.com/Yung-Gee-Kush-Drums-mixtape.369079.html 


Follow on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/YungGeeLUT