Customer Reviews

Jeanius

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here it is, the long awaited Jeanius album, and as expected, Jean brings the heat. Its her first project with Blacksmith records, and it looks like she did good for her debut on a new label.

Jean took a note from DJ Hi-Tek & Kweli's Reflection Eternal, and had 9th Wonder exclusively produce all these tracks, which works out because 9th is a damn good producer, and he and Jean have great chemistry. Just listen to "Love Thirst" or "Think About It" and you'll immediately understand why these two did a colabo together. This is Jean at her finest to date, her flow is more masterful, the rhymes are no less then fire, and it has an overall seriousness to it that she hasn't brought out before. In a word, she is very focused with this album. The most outstanding track on here is definitely "My Story" which covers some deep stuff out of her past, from abortion (which she has barely touched on in the past), a heart mummer, and attempted suicide. Like I said, deep stuff. Theres also a good few gust appearances on here, but theres a good chance you wont know who they are except for Phonte from Little Brother. I was hoping for a guest spot from Kweli or another Blacksmith affiliate, but no such luck here.

As good as the album sounds, it does have a bit of a downside to it. See, if your a faithful Jean fan like myself, then you more then likely either own or have heard 5 or 6 of the 13 tracks on other CD's she's made or been on (Blacksmith mixtapes, This Week, etc). The only upside to that is that they have either been slightly remixed or they have been remastered so the quality of sound is suitable for an album.

Despite some recycled material, the album is still worth the buy. Jean is still better then any radio friendly rapper you can name. Get some food for your brain and enjoy the art that is... Jeanius. Peace


Standout Tracks

My Story
Don't Rush Me
Think About It (Hottest Track)
Love Thirst
American Pimp
Desperada

Let me start by saying that Jean Grae has proven to be a very nice lyricist... period! This album will be a classic amongst true Hip-Hop heads who listen to albums for different subject matter and not just for the entertainment of shake dancing and getting high. Also, let me respond to the comment that greg made about Jean Grae having the same Das EFX cover... well, its not a lack of originality, of course Jean Grae knows she was copying the Das album cover... she did that on purpose to illustrate representing True Hip-Hop in general... Too bad that was over gregs head, it is so obvious... lol! Also, Das could be her favorite group or even 9th's for that matter and so paying them homage is the ideal thing to do when you admire a Hip-Hop group that knows how to bring it and who captured the true essence of Hip-Hop doing that time when their album dropped... so in retrospect the message is clear its about bringing Hip-Hop back to its true context... and Jean Grae has been doing a good job of upholding that standard.

I have developed a new found respect bordering on almighty praise for the brillance that is 9th Wonder. Along with his unique production skills, and Jean Grae rhymes, that would put any rapper to shame, both artists are keeping the light of hip-hop aflame, and bright. Better than other collabs involving 9th and other artists (i.e. Buckshot), Grae and 9th have a chemistry that is undeniable, and I really look foward to future collabs. I could not stop playing this album, after getting it. An instant classic in this era of hip-hop! This album is damn-near perfect!

Jean Grae's fourth studio album is a great one. For those that are unaware, this album was originally set to be released around 2004. Due to heavy bootlegging, the release has been pushed back almost four years. This copy contains different material than the bootleg, and it sounds terrific. I personally believe this is Jean Grae's best lyrical material to date. Her flow is better than ever and she uses intricate lyrics to depict what she is trying to say. 9th Wonder on the boards? You already know it's one of the best produced albums of the year. 9th really sounds diverse on this one also, using soulful beats and samples, to simple yet extravagant recordings. It's difficult to explain, but if you can hear the samples you'll understand. The guests on this album are basically the entire Justice League. DP, Phonte, Median, K-Hill, Edgar Allen Floe, and Joe Scudda all stop by. The guests hold it down, but it's hard to get past Jean's amazing sound. For anyone who is normally turned off by Jean Grae's lyrics, flow, or sound, you will be pleasantly surprised on this album. She seems more determined than ever. As soon as you can find a copy, get this disk. Disappointment will be the farthest feeling from your mind.

Lyrics- 9.5/10
Production- 10/10
Guest Appearances- 8/10
Overall Sound- 10/10

4.69

-Shaun B.

The is a definite classic album from Jean Grae, who is one of the illest females spittin lyrics on the mic right now. What makes the album even better is 9th Wonder produced this bad boy. I'm 35 years old and I grew up with Hip Hop from it's beginning. I love Hip Hop just as much today as I did when I was a teenager. If you love lyrics cop this, but if you just like Hip Hop with catchy beats and no lyrical substance, this album is (NOT) for (YOU). If you love Hip Hop keep ya speakers jumpin, but not too loud so you don't go deaf. Aight, Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i've always loved jean grae--she's smart, witty, silly and even more of a lyrical beast. but with her and 9th together? unadulterated heat! this is the first time i've felt like every beat was really strong enough to hold the way she flows. yes, there are some repeaters on here, but i really don't mind because heads need to hear what they've missed. this album really IS jeanius. buy it. her 16s are worth so much more than your $13.

Jean Grae is on fire, seemingly effortless. Very lyrically skilled. Incredible flow.

As a true 9th fan, this is one of his best releases in a while. Keep um bangin 9th.

Whether She's Retired or not, Jean Grae Gets her Due with This Album. I already Had the first bootleg version years ago, but the New and Improved Sound on this finally Official Released Version sounds Eccentric. Jean Grae is at her Lyrical Best as the Vibe and Soul of 9th Wonder Brings out the Best in Ms. Grae. Her Flow and Tempo is so Perfect on "Love Thrist", you almost wish you was vibeing right next to Jean. And the Video is just as Magical as Well. The JEanius is a Long Awaited Gem Finally Released for the World to Enjoy.

Female rapper Jean Grae isn't what one would call an overnight celebrity. In fact, she's far from it. She's been around since the mid 90's as a member of the short lived trio Natural Resource when they issued a few singles. After the demise of the group, she started out as a solo artist making her debut on The High & Mighty's debut "Home Field Advantage". She appeared on the ode to self-love "Hands On Experience, Part 2" under her original name What? What?. The beginning of the 2000's saw her release critically acclaimed solo efforts, such as "Attack Of The Attacking Things" and the slightly commercial "This Week". Also, there was her high profile appearance on Talib Kweli's song "Black Girl Pain" from his 2004 album "The Beautiful Struggle". From that appearance, she landed a recording contract with Kweli's label Blacksmith Music and she announced that she was recording her next album "Jeanius". Before the record was completed, most of it was leaked onto the internet and she put the album on hold. She later decided to release "Jeanius" which arrived in 2008.

On this new album, she reunites with producer 9th Wonder- who previously produced the songs "Don't Rush Me" and "Supa Luv" from her 2004 album "This Week". Though 9th is credited as the primary producer, he actually handles ten of the thirteen songs. The remaining three are handled by 9th's team of producers The Soul Council- with Away Team member/producer Khrysis handling the songs "#8" and the tragic duet with Median "American Pimp", with Fatin "10" Horton on the closing posse cut "Smashmouth". She duets with rapper Daily Planet on "2-32's" and Phonte on "The Time Is Now"- complete with chuckle inducing adlibs at the end of the song. However, not everything on the album is humorous. In fact, she goes into detail about her personal experience with the issue of abortion on the song "My Story" and her place in the music industry on "This World". A couple of songs that were leaked have been slightly altered to include live instrumentation- specifically on the songs "Love Thirst" (originally titled "So High") and "Don't Rush Me" (in which the original version appeared on "This Week"). Overall, "Jeanius" is a great record and harkens back to a time where female rappers where judged solely on their talent as opposed to their looks. This is an album worth having in a music collection.

After hearing her on albums with Talib Kweli, Guru and the Roots and enjoying what I heard I decided to dive right in. This album did not disappoint! It is a different sounding album, but that is a good thing. Hip-hop needs fresher sounds and she definitely brings a welcome breath of fresh air...