Customer Reviews

This Week

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Man..
What a good album.
Could it be that I'm biased because I wrote it? Possibly.. but let's not stray from the point here.
I really enjoyed making..err. listening to this piece of work, some things caught me by surprise. All in all a solid venture.
I would have really liked to hear LoveSong Pt 2 on here though.
Since I'm the only one who has heard it, I guess that's why no one else brought it up.
Thank you everyone for making this a success thus far.
Buy this dang album.
It has zero net carbs.

*side note: I kind of wanted everyone to feel out the second half of the album.. choose what days felt like what songs to you.. Although I would definitely say that by the time you get to 'You Don't Want It" you should be on Friday.
That's all my good people. Thank you again.

I wonder if they will keep this review up?
Can an artist review their own album????

Jean "Jeanius" Grae

Jean Grae is without a doubt one of the most intelligent emcees of the entire decade. Part of what makes Jean Grae so incredible is her versatility. Her battle raps are untouched in lyrical power ("You Don't Want It" and "Style Wars"), and on the flipside, her love seranades ("Give It Up") and touching heart-to-heart confessions ("P.S.") evoke more emotional stirrings since Talib Kweli's "Where Do We Go". Part of her real potency is that everything she says, all the way down to her gritty battle-rhymes, are completely real. Coming from a South African family and having lived in New York for a good part of her life, the cultural background of Jean Grae lends itself to her incredible lyrical array of talents.

A personal favorite of mine, I already expected great things when I picked up this CD. I remember hearing "The Bootleg of the Bootlegs EP", a superb exhibition of her talent, and hoping that "This Week" would live up. I had already heard the remix of her "Style Wars" on Talib Kweli's "The Beautiful Mixtape", and was eagerly anticipating the real thing. After track two, I was stunned and found myself hitting the rewind button at least three times before moving on to track 3. My favorite emcee for as long as I can remember has been Talib Kweli, and up until now, I have searched long and hard for an equal to his lyrical intelligence. In 2002, I stumbled across Masta Ace's "Disposable Arts" (also an incredible album) and heard Jean Grae featured on one of his better cuts. After that, I was hooked.

Hailing from Detroit, it's hard to really find myself captivated by the run-of-the-mill rap that is so often heard on the radio, boasting over uncreative production their unlimited wealth, fame and sex-appeal. Jean Grae's grounded flow feels like a much needed dousing of cold water in an atmosphere sweltering with the excessive hot-air blown by so many unqualified emcees. On her track "The Wall", Jean Grae says quite frankly "Stop looking for answers, I'll stand firmer than granite/there are deeper ways to tell you all the s*** that I feel/and maybe just for the sake of stories nothing is real/and maybe just everything I said was never the deal/and I never revealed the true reflection I'm keeping it sealed/." She keeps everything in perspective and brutally honest. She warns her fans that the only Jean they will ever know is the one she gives them, yet even then, you can't help but feel that so many of her songs come straight from the heart. "P.S.", a soulful apology to those she's wronged is one of her more moving cuts, "Watch Me" is an exulting, witty track chronicling her travels to where she is now, "Give It Up" is a love song that I adore simply because I can personally relate, and the bonus track "Don't Rush Me" is one of the best self-exploratory songs I've heard in a long time, over which Jean runs through her faults and accomplishments. One more thing that can be said for Jean, is that while it's clear that she's come to terms with the struggles of her life, she doesn't seem to take anything too seriously, and is careful to balance her emotional exhibitions with a dose of her adroit sense of humor.

The power behind her talent is the fact that nothing she does is too heavy-handed. Her emotional poetry-flowing cuts are careful not to overplay the moment, and as a result, are able to connect with the listener in a very real, very personal, and very unpretentious way. Similarly, her battle-rhymes hold behind them such potent anger, it's tangible. Like a caged lion, Jean Grae is the music industry's most talented female emcee trapped in the bowels of underground hip-hop. Between her perfectly balanced flow, her colorful versatility and her uncompromising lyrics that never stray from reality, Jean Grae has forever cemented her place in the music industry. I challenge any emcee famous or otherwise aspiring to even attempt to equal Jean's bitingly sharp lyrical talent. I just don't see it happening.

P.S. Jean gives incredible concerts. I saw her at St. Andrews hall with Athletic Mic League and Diverse as the warm-up show. Yeah, as always, Diverse was hyped and Athletic Mic League gave a great show, but Jean killed 'em all. She interacted with the crowd, made us laugh, even came down to do the electric slide with us. I was right in the front row, and it was one of the greatest, most personal concerts I've ever been to. It had that real hip hop, real underground feel. If she comes through you're town, be sure to catch her.

Like the intro. states introducing Jean Grae and then again. But now she is here for more of you underground heads to appreciate. THis is a very thought provoking CD and really lets you get into her head. Besides the few tracks boastin, which is no harm for an MC to state their claim, this is truly tangible material for those ladies out there who may need a little help defining what it is to be a young female. The beats and musical arrangements are also tasteful helping to bolster the flow and transcind the message. Jean Grae is like that and appears so patient with articulating and fine tuning her position with such clarity.

I don't know how female MCs are measured in other regions of the country, but around my parts I hear things like Lil' Kim, Gangsta Boo, & Mia X are the best female rappers. Personally, I've always been an advocate supporter of Lauryn Hill(L Boggie) as being the dopest female I've ever heard spit followed by Bahamadia, MC Lyte, and possibly Rah Digga. But I can't believe how dope Jean Grae is. After I heard about how hard she spits, I figured I'd investigate a little bit. After hearing snippets of "The Bootleg of the Bootleg" and downloading a few songs, I decided I'd support her next album whenever it dropped. All I can say is check out this girl because she is the truth. If not for 3 of the tracks I didn't care for and one of those skits, it would have been a 5 star classic. Regardless, this album is hot without question. Not only is she the best female MC out right now, I'd put her up against 90% of the male MCs and watch her crush them all. Unlike a lot of female rappers who figure they have to sell sex to be successful, this girl stays true to her craft and compromises for no one. Stay up baby girl and continue on this path because eventually everyone will take notice. And remember that downloading is not necessarily a bad thing. If your music is dope, heads are going to support you regardless.

P.S. I hope that "Jenius" album produced entirely by 9th Wonder sees the light despite the downloading.

I've only recently heard of Jean Grae, and I'm not happy. Why wasn't I put on her sooner?!?! I first heard her featured on Immortal Technique's "The Illest" and I'm sold. So after checking a few spots, I found out she was releasing this album on September 21. I got the album yesterday and I've been going back and forth between this album and Wordsworth's "Mirror Music" album. I've been going insane because both albums are so hot you might wanna put 'em in the freezer for a minute! While JG doesn't bring out her full abilities on this album, she DOES deliver on this album, not to mention she states that she doesn't bring out the arsenal completely ("No ill words this time"). Honestly, if this isn't her full lyrical ability, I'm afraid to hear it! She comes grimey on tracks like "Style Wars" (My minds sharper than a f***ing switch blade/Lick me/Don't fixate on that picture ni**a switch page), and snaps on tracks like "A-Alikes." She also hits home on tracks like "Not Like Me." Favorite Five:

1. Style Wars f/Block McCloud - Damn, Damn, Damn! 'Nuff said.

2. A-Alikes - Just listen and you'll understand.

3. Watch Me - Yes! Watch her! Laid back beat + charged up lyrics = beautiful song.

4. Whatever - Lyrically potent!

5. Give It Up - A love story with a street twist.

I listen to a lot of hip-hop and I spit a bit myself. So I'm not saying this lightly: Jean Grae is one of the best MCs in hip-hop, and is better than any female MC I've heard. I'm glad I've had a chance to listen to her, and I wish I would've heard sooner. Get the album. You will not regret it one bit.

First off let me tell you...this girl's flow is sickening!! She can spit better than all female rappers and most male rappers. I just happened to purchase her album "Bootleg" and was blown away! After that I immediately purchased all of her albums. She is what the industry needs and it is a shame they don't give rappers with "true talent" a chance. I pity anyone who doesn't listen to her. All her songs flows like poetry and she can spit stories just like NAS, and there is nothing "bubblegum" about her. While other female rappers are cute to listen to...you have to take Jean seriously when you listen. She is just fly... I respect her because she did not convert to the average hoochie mama rapping about jewelry and cars female rappers out there. They are cookie cutouts of each other. She stands alone. I could go on and on about her...but you have to listen for yourself! Go and get her albums, you will be blown away.

I'm gonna keep it simple....If you don't know hip hop you probably won't feel this joint. If you're used to this watered down, supposedly pimped out, iced out, VIP-out, so called gangsta crap that the radio and TV are filling you head with these days, you probably won't feel this joint. If you perfer to hear about the size of rims or how low your chain hangs this is not for you. In other words....THIS IS REAL HIP HOP! Jean Grae is the TRUTH ! The JOINT ! The BOMB! Lyrically, she can put 90 percent of todays MC (Male and especially Female) out of business. In the class of MC Lyte (GOAT), Bahamadia, L-Boogie (Lauryn), Latifah, Salt N Pepa, Heather B, Hurricane G, and Monie Love, Jean Grae has gone over and is now officially a member of the TRUE FEMALE MC SORORITY. These are female MC's that truly hold it down. The ladies in the game now....DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Pick up this CD and any project she's involved in. But remember....If you like RAP MUSIC instead of HIP HOP then....It's probably not for you.

This album is overall an amazing album, considering she made it within 1 week and still had some time left over, now that folks is amazing

The album starts off with a nice intro and a nice beat, continues on to A-Alikes "And if she flows like a spitter...."
Then a skit Going Crazy well its a good track then it comes to Stly Wars Featuring Block McCloud...this song is the song you need to be banging hard out the whip seriously

Then the album goes into about 6 love songs which are all 5 stars my personal favorite(s) are Supa Luv- because of the beat god damn 9th Wonder is killin all the other producer AND HE ONLY USES FRUITY LOOPS!!!!!!!! and Give It Up, which is my other favorite "Just like im vanity// lookin for his inner glow..."

Album continues to amaze me everytime i re-play it buy this it is very much worth the money, and i dont usually say that

Look out for my new stuff too, maybe you heard the name...Afekz droppin real soon y'all look out

What can I say?? The music speaks for itself! Since I first checked The Attack, I have been a Jean Grae fanatic! She's a complete standout in a hip-hop industry full of lousy mainstreamers. If you're looking for lyrical content, this is your girl! Being added to the Okey-Player line-up proves this girl's got talent. Being in the same tier as Talib, The Roots, Common, Mos-Def and so on really say a lot for a lyricist. At a time when hip-hop is ruled by repetitive crunk music and party-joints...Jean's words and sound are REFRESHING! Her honesty in her songs (check Give it Up and PS) *SOMEWHAT* remind me of Atmosphere, except a bit less depressing and self-loathing. She's got a true hip-hop sound...if only there were more female emcees like her out there...she deserves more recognition!

Prior to this album, I hadn't really listened to a full Jean Grae album. I have heard her several times on other tracks, usually guest appearances, but non come to mind so I suppose she never stood out enough for me to pursue her. This all changed once I found myself reading the thank you's on my fresh Talib Kweli album I purchased the day of its release. Talib states, "Jean Grae, what can I say! There have been times when I was stuck creatively, and put on Jeanius or This Week, and it brings me back. I love you for that." I respect T. to the point that I felt compelled to at least give her a real good listen. I'm glad I did...

To begin, Jean comes off as a poet or journalist first, rapper second. I felt she might be this way from the album photo, but throughout the album she cements this in my mind. Take "P.S." for example. She seemingly reads letters that she has written for people who she has either done wrong by having relations with their significant other(1st verse), cheated on and lost touch with (verse two), or writing to herself about how much she has changed(verse 3). She involves many aspects involved in writing a letter; from the dot dot dot's, to the smiley faces, humms (when her mind wanders) and XOXO's.

Jean has a healthy sense of humor as seen at the end of "Don't Rush Me." She has a very smooth voice also. Her words are pronounciated well making her every word easy to follow. Sorry Ghostface fans. Her influences are apparent on the track "I'm Going Crazy." She spits through clever wordplay about other hip hop artists by saying, "I'm thinkin it's some Ghetto Boys 'Mind Playin Tricks on Me' ish and I'm Bushwick punchin the ground an Willie D's holdin me down on my knees"

Now I've gotten out of order song wise, but she does begin the album very strongly with a decent intro and a first full track ("A Alikes") of even greater quality. This is one of the best tracks on the album. Her first two bars from the 1st verse are enough to get you hooked; like reading one chapter of a good mystery book. "A burnt sky scorch the earth's flesh, at the same time the murderous techs arose like a phoenix with the glow of death." This track is packed with a good amount of wordplay.

Other high quality songs are "Not Like Me" where she explains that she is different than other women (if we couldn't tell already). "Give it Up" is another that speaks about love and playing hard to get. "Whatever" "The Wall" "Watch Me" & "Fyre Blazer" I gave 4 stars apiece. I was somewhat disappointed tha "Fyre Blazer" didn't have a chorus. A hot chorus could have lit this track up like a fire cracker. The beat combined with her flawless flow is Fyre without a doubt it, just seems like it's missing something.

I haven't even really mentioned the production so far, but that is because Jean steals the show. The production is very good still and blends well with her delivery and style for the most part. Some beats do seem to be made to expose her flow so that the audience listens to her not the instrumental.

So what are the flaws in the album? I would have to start with her hooks. Some are good, but all fail in truly amazing me. Second I would have to fault the skits, I find myself skipping them every time. I'm just not interested in listening to nonsense. Besides these weaknesses the only other relative low points in my mind are the three tracks "Style Wars" "Supa Love" & "You Don't Want It." Non are bad songs, just average or only slightly above average to me.

If you like a very talented, underappreciated writers rapper who's not overly conceited, like many others in the industry, then give Jean Grae a try. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this album and I'm sure others will too.