Search - Jean Grae :: The Orchestral Files

Unearthed recordings by Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Recordings artist Jean Grae aka What? What? and Run Run Shaw, given name Tsidi Ibrahim, daughter of jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand). As a member of the late 90s Hip Hop group Natural Resource, she helped define the independent NY Hip Hop scene as an MC alongside Pumpkinhead and Bad Seed, and maintains ties with Hip Hop crews Brooklyn Academy, Little Brother, Justus League, and has worked with Nicolay, 9th Wonder, Skyzoo. Currently touring with Kweli, after being featured on his album that debuted at #1 on the charts, Jean Grae has been on the cover of Urb and has articles in Spin, Fader, Maxim, along with many other periodicals. MTV has given an 'Advanced Warning' about Grae, and Rolling Stone called her the 'Next to Blow.' Heralded as a mix of Lauryn Hill with a little MC Lyte, her last album entitled "This Week" moved over 30k units. This collection documents pre-Blacksmith recordings, a snapshot of her raw skills and memorable delivery, never before available. Her fanbase has been anticipating two rumored completed full lengths, "Jeanius" (recorded entirely with 9th Wonder) and "Phoenix" (slated for release on Warners/Blacksmith) neither of which have street dates at this time.