Jean Grae Born Tsidi Ibrahim in South Africa, raised in New ...
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Born Tsidi Ibrahim in South Africa, raised in New York. Parents were both musicians. Went to Laguardia High School of the Performing Arts. MCing for 14 years. In September 2004, released her second full-length album, This Week (Babygrande). One of the most respected lyricists, male or female, on the underground circuit today.
Do you remember your first time on stage? No. I was used to being on stage, I was doing spoken word at the same time-which I guess is redundant because rap is spoken word. I do remember my first New York show; it was with my old crew, Natural Resources.
What's your take on the current state of the music industry. Same old bullshit. Find something that works and then find 30 other people who sound exactly the same. But that's the same in any business: product-selling.
What in the day-to-day inspires you to create? I very much draw from the environment. There's a lot of the things on the album that are not for outside listeners to get. They're almost inside jokes for me and whoever is in the studio at that time.
How has your poetry evolved? I'm learning how to play with words more. I'm trying to be another instrument on the track. That's what MCing is: trying to find another rhythm that's not there and constantly trying to switch it up and keep the listener interested. I'm overly critical, always challenging myself to find a new flow.
Do you prefer performing live or the creation process in the studio? Performances over the last year have been getting really fun. Playing around with the show, interacting with the audience and seeing different reactions in different towns. Ultimately, I enjoy the writing.
What's the high of performing? Crazy. The adrenaline is there for like three hours after. If it's a great show, there's not a lot that can beat that feeling.
Describe the dynamics necessary for a perfect track. Not to be crass, but when somebody fucked the beat. They've found every flow, they've found every pattern, there's nothing left to do with it, it's over.
What do you look for when choosing a beat to flow to? Something that makes me wanna write immediately. I hear it and say, that's the one. If it doesn't make me wanna write, it's not gonna happen. You can't force creativity; people will feel that.
What is music? Emotional escape. Prosperity.
What is your relationship to your art? One and the same.
Jean Grae performs at Rothko with Diverse on Saturday, Jan. 22. 116 Suffolk St. (Rivington St.), 212-475-7088; 8:30, $14/$12 adv.