Tipping Point

NYC MC Jean Grae is looking for a breakthrough.

by Deesha Dyer

Jean Grae doesn't fit the mold, and that's how she likes it. "I have a problem with being labeled a "female underground MC,'" she says. For one thing, she didn't set out to become a representative for women, or women in hip-hop. For another, her aspirations are not limited to underground success. In short, she is who she is.

The New York City MC prefers a fly pair of sneakers over designer pumps. She likes playing Vice City better than watching Trading Spaces.

"I'm not one for labels, they aren't necessary."

Grae won't deny that her successes could have a positive effect on women in the biz, but she doesn't want to be the poster girl for female rappers. However, she says, it is her responsibility to counteract female stereotypes within the male-dominated hip-hop art form. "There's no explanation behind the [poor] representation of us in videos," she says. "I want to be the one that women of color can relate to."

Unfortunately, if you scan the audiences at many underground and middle-ground shows — including Grae's — you'll see her target population is not reciprocating the love. "I appreciate all the fans, but it's very frustrating to look out in the audience and not see a reflection of myself. I don't place blame on anyone. If I wasn't me, I wouldn't know who I was," she giggles.

Maybe the problem is that a lot of people still don't know who she is yet. That could change this year, thanks to the release of her second CD on Babygrande Records, This Week. On top of that, she's just wrapped up the Okayplayer True Notes Tour with The Roots and Skillz, and she's got a guest appearance on The Roots' new album, The Tipping Point.

"I haven't decided why I got into this game," Grae says. "It's almost something that happened accidentally."

Her family moved to the U.S. from South Africa when she was age 3. "My heritage is the biggest influence to me. It's about integrity and representing my country." Growing up in New York, the daughter of jazz musicians, she submersed herself in the arts. She danced with the prestigious Alvin Ailey second company, and attended Fame's Laguardia High School.

As she matured, writing and performing became a priority. Grae introduced herself to the underground sounds of hip-hop at ciphers and shows. She gradually honed her skills as a performer, and edged from the background to the foreground. It was while rapping in her second group, Natural Selection, that heads began to take notice of this female MC working the machismo hip-hop arena. By the time Natural Selection disbanded in 1999, she'd gained notoriety on college radio and earned respect throughout the community as an MC who spits loud, honest, in-your-face bars.

Her first solo CD was 2002's Attack of the Attacking Things. She followed it up with last year's The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP. Along the way, she's collaborated with Da Beatminerz, Masta Ace, Mr. Len and Prince Paul, and rocked shows nationwide. Regardless, she's still not getting her props. Grae is frustrated, but says she stays positive and motivated.

This Week displays her skills while chronicling her struggles. "It's a concept album that you can listen to straightforward, a week in the life of Jean Grae, going from Sunday to Sunday." Her lead single, Goin' Crazy, is produced by Midi Mafia, while 9th Wonder (of the North Carolina trio Little Brother) was tapped to lace the beat.

Midi and Wonder are known for their success with chart-topping artists like 50 Cent and Jay-Z, but Grae — who has an audio engineering degree herself — says she doesn't care about name-dropping. She's just searching for the right beats to complement her flow. "There are producers on the album that people may not know. I can use a beat that was handed to me at the club. If it's hot, it's hot. I don't care if your grandmother made it," she laughs.

Grae decided not to lean on guest appearances on This Week. "Tracy from the Jazzyfatnastees is one voice you will hear. There are so many people I want to work with, but this isn't a compilation album," says Grae. "If you can't hold a record down for yourself, then you shouldn't be doing one."

At the time of this interview she's using downtime between shows to design the cover for Grae Files, her upcoming mixtape hosted by Kayslay. Grae promises that her return to production is near. "I needed time to miss it." Furthermore, she and her Orchestral Entertainment crew are grinding to build a label to release her future projects. "I've realized that if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself," she says.

"I want to break the formula, and make history for myself. I want people to know I'm a skilled writer and lyricist that isn't afraid to be honest. I'm stubborn. I refuse to change myself for a machine."

Okayplayer Sundays/Jean Grae CD release party, Sun., Sept. 5, 8 p.m., $10-$12, 21+, with Last Emperor, Scratch, Dice Raw and more, Grape Street Pub, Manayunk, 4100 Main St., 215-483-7084.