Jay Electronica

Jay Electronica

Jay Electronica in 2010.
Background information
Birth name Timothy Elpadaro Thedford
Born (1976-09-19) September 19, 1976[1]
New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Origin Magnolia Projects, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, record producer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2004 – present
Labels The Dogon Society, Roc Nation
Associated acts JAY Z, Puff Daddy, J Dilla, Just Blaze, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, The Bullitts, Nas, Drake, Emeli Sandé

Timothy Elpadaro Thedford, (born September 19, 1976), better known by his stage name Jay Electronica, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from New Orleans. Electronica first gained significant attention after the release of the musical composition Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), which was made available on a MySpace page in 2007. It is fifteen continuous minutes of music, without drums, built from Jon Brion's soundtrack to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In late 2009 he released two singles, both produced by Just Blaze, "Exhibit A (Transformations)" and "Exhibit C", the latter of which won a Sucker Free Summit Award for Instant Classic. In November 2010, it was announced Jay Electronica had signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation record label.[2]

Biography

1976–2006: Early life and career beginnings

Thedford was born on September 19, 1976, in the Magnolia Projects of New Orleans, renowned for having some of the highest crime rates in the country before being flooded during Hurricane Katrina. Thedford began rapping after hearing his uncle rhyme. By the age of 19 Jay Electronica left New Orleans to pursue his musical career. Living a mostly nomadic lifestyle, he found refuge in cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, New York, and briefly in Atlanta. From club to club, and stage to stage, Electronica had gotten booed off and denied because of his Southern accent and slang. "In my earlier years from when I first left home, I was embarrassed from being from the South," Thedford stated. "Not in general, but as a rapper because all of the negative things that people in the States put on the South."[3] Electronica’s career really took off in the city of Detroit when he linked up with Detroit native Johnnie Last. In Detroit, Electronica met producer/engineer Mike "Chav" Chavarria, now a regular collaborator, who introduced him to both J. Dilla and Mr. Porter.[4][5] It is here that he recorded his Style Wars-era music with several J. Dilla beats, meeting the producer subsequently to ask for permission to use the recordings as a demo.

2007–2010: Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge); Roc Nation signing

Jay Electronica first gained significant attention through Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), made available on a MySpace page in 2007. It is fifteen continuous minutes of music, without drums, built from Jon Brion's soundtrack to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There are five segments or movements marked by changes in music and mood, raps by Electronica, and occasional snippets of sampled dialogue including scenes from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The first segment is a spoken word piece by Just Blaze and Erykah Badu describing Electronica over piano music.

The nature of the piece of music, along with the nature of its appearance, led to a slow build-up of interest in Electronica as an enigmatic figure. Songs circulating online as the Style Wars EP gained wider circulation, and other songs, such as the dream-inspired "Dimethyltryptamine", appeared. In January 2008, Giles Peterson's 90-minute Gilles Peterson Worldwide podcast was devoted to the rapper.[6] Hiphopdx.com in 2008 called him "arguably...the most talked about new emcee last year ... at times...more like a myth or urban legend than an actual rapper",[7] and URB ran a cover story on the artist under the banner "Jay Electronica: A Spotless Mind :: An MC’s mystery revealed", which referred to his wanderings as his being "like some sort of hip-hop Jack Kerouac".[4]

Jeff Weiss' piece for the L.A. Weekly, "Jay Electronica: Much Better Than His Name Would Suggest", acknowledged that the rapper could be fairly described as "one of the most buzzed about rappers of 2008", but attempted to temper the hype somewhat, describing Act 1... as "ambitious, wildly original, if not slightly pretentious", while endorsing only to an extent the comparisons URB had made (referencing an "abstract rhyming style") to rappers like Nas and Pharoahe Monch.[8][9]

2010–present: Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn)

Jay Electronica has yet to release a full-length album, but he has released two official singles to date, "Exhibit A (Transformations)" and "Exhibit C"[4]

According to URB, Act II: Patents of Nobility will feature Nas, and will be the second of a putative trilogy. URB also reported that digital EPs with both Guilty Simpson and producer 9th Wonder were planned. According to a Filter TV interview,[10] Jay Electronica has partnered with Decon to release his debut project. It is being described as a multi-media release and footage from the project which was partially shot in Nepal and Dubai has begun to surface online. The first clip to leak is titled "Dear Moleskine" and can be found on YouTube, the track was produced by Just Blaze and the clip was directed by Jason Goldwatch from Decon. In June 2009, Decon and Jay's "The Dogon Society" released "Exhibit A (Transformations)" digitally. "Exhibit C" was released on iTunes December 16, 2009 and quickly shot to the top 10 of the iTunes Hip-Hop charts.[11]

Jay Electronica appeared at the 2010 Bonnaroo Music Festival. Jay Electronica continued his scattered release practice, releasing "A Million in the Morning" on April 4, 2010. The song features a weary Electronica trying to keep himself awake to escape his nightmares. On April 30, Jay Electronica debuted "The Ghost of Christopher Wallace" via his Twitter. The song features P Diddy and is produced by London beatsmith Quincey Tones, who is known for producing such acts as Young Jeezy and Royce da 5'9".

On November 12, 2010, Jay-Z announced that Jay Electronica had signed with his Roc Nation imprint.[12] In late 2010, Electronica and actress Lucy Liu were featured on The Bullitts' song "Close Your Eyes" that was featured on the album They Die By Dawn & Other Short Stories released in July 2013.[13]

In July 2011, Jay Electronica posted via his Twitter that his debut album, Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn), was complete.[14] On October 10, 2011, Jay Electronica released the song "Call of Duty" featuring Prodigy from Mobb Deep.[15] On March 15, 2014, Jay Electronica released the song "Better In Tune With The Infinite" featuring LaTonya Givens. The song features an excerpt of Professor Marvel's monologue from The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)[16] and will reportedly be included on the long delayed "Act II," according to a track list that Jay Electronica leaked in 2012.[17] Later, on March 22, 2014, he released a remix to Soulja Boy's "We Made It", featuring Jay-Z.[18]

On March 6, 2015, Jay Electronica released "Road to Perdition" featuring Jay-Z. The song uses an audio sample from Ronald Reagan's "A Time For Choosing" 1964 speech.[19]

In 2016, after much anticipation, he hinted that he would be dropping new music (The Turn) by going to his Twitter and writing, "To all those who have been patient with me and supported me over the years, thank you. And get #Tidal#AreYouWatchingClosely?".[20] In 2016 also he released the "Curse of the Mayweather".[21]

Personal life

Electronica and Erykah Badu have one child together, Mars Merkaba Thedford, born in 2009.[22] On June 2, 2012, it was revealed that Electronica had been having an affair with Ben Goldsmith's music manager wife, Kate Rothschild, for a year.[23] Electronica is affiliated with the Five Percent Nation and the Nation of Islam.[24] He was based in London for some time.[25]

Discography

List of mixtapes, with selected information
Title Album details
Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)
  • Released: July 2, 2007
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Type: Mixtape
Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn)
  • Released: TBA
  • Type: Studio album

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Exhibit A (Transformations)"[26] 2009 — — — N/A
"Exhibit C"[27] — 86 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B		 US
Rap
"Just Begun"[28]
(Reflection Eternal featuring J. Cole, Mos Def and Jay Electronica)		 2010 — — — Revolutions per Minute
"Close Your Eyes"[29]
(The Bullitts featuring Lucy Liu and Jay Electronica)		 2011 — — — They Die By Dawn & Other Short Stories...
"Control"
(Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica)		 2013 111 43 — Non-album singles
"Kingdom (Remix)"
(Common featuring Vince Staples and Jay Electronica)		 2014 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or receive certification.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album Artist(s)
"Cool, Relax" 2008 10.Deep Presents The New Deal Kidz in the Hall
"Walking (J.Period Remix)" 2009 The Madness J.Period & Nneka
"Love Czars II" N/A Sa-Ra, Ta'Raach
"The Day" 2010 Pilot Talk Curren$y, Mos Def
"Live It" Heart of a Champion Paul Wall, Raekwon, Yelawolf
"Prowler 2" 24 Hour Karate School Ski Beatz, Jean Grae, Joell Ortiz, Original, Mos Def
"Higher" N/A Game, Swizz Beatz
"Atom Anthem" 2012 #Atom 12.12.12 D. Prosper
"Hail Mary" So Magnolia CETO
"Suplexes Inside of Complexes and Duplexes"[30] 2013 Watching Movies with the Sound Off Mac Miller
"They Die By Dawn"[31] They Die By Dawn & Other Short Stories... The Bullitts, Lucy Liu, Yasiin Bey
"Murder Death Kill"[31] The Bullitts
"Control"[32] N/A Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar
"Jedi Code"[33] She Got Game Rapsody, Phonte
"Kingdom (Remix)"[34] 2014 N/A Common, Vince Staples
"To Me, To You"[35] PRhyme Royce da 5'9" & DJ Premier
"How Great" 2016 Coloring Book Chance the Rapper, My Cousin Nicole
"Garden" Long Live the Angels Emeli Sandé, Áine Zion

Production discography

2008

Nas – Untitled

2013

Self Scientific – Have Mercy

References

  1. ↑ "Jay Electronica Co-Signs Soulja Boy 'It's Not About Lyrics, It's About Energy - HIPHOPNEWS24-7.COM". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  2. ↑ Burgess, Omar (2010-11-13). "Jay-Z Signs Jay Electronica To Roc Nation | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  3. ↑ "Jay Electronica MTV Interview".
  4. 1 2 3 Jesse Serwer. "Jay Electronica: A Spotless Mind :: An MC’s mystery revealed", URB #152, January 2008.
  5. ↑ "Prime Productions Posse: Just Blaze, Mike Chav, Jay Electronica", guitarcenter.com, October 2008.
  6. ↑ Peterson, Gilles (January 10, 2008). "Gilles Peterson Worldwide – Vol.01, No.16 – Gilles Peterson speaks to Erykah Badu's first signing Jay Electronica". www.gillespetersonworldwide.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  7. ↑ Aliya Ewing. "Nas Big Ups Jay Electronica", hiphopdx.com. March 29, 2008.
  8. ↑ Jeff Weiss. "Jay Electronica: Much Better Than His Name Would Suggest", LA Weekly, April 4, 2008.
  9. ↑ Andres Tardio. "Nas Co-signs Jay Electronica", hiphopdx.com, May 19, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Video: Behind the Scenes w/ Jay Electronica in New Orleans". Nah Right. 2009-11-14. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  11. ↑ Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 11, 2010). "Jay Electronica: Man or Myth?". Spin. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  12. ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (November 13, 2010). "Jay-Z Signs Jay Electronica To Roc Nation". MTV News. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  13. ↑ Willetton, Sam (July 18, 2013). "Album Review: The Bullitts – They Die by Dawn & Other Short Stories". consequenceofsound.net. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  14. ↑ Kujundzic, Petar (July 7, 2011). "Jay Electronica's album is completed". hypetrak.com.
  15. ↑ Lilah, Rose (October 11, 2011). "Jay Electronica - Call Of Duty Feat. Mobb Deep | Stream [New Song]". hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  16. ↑ Kovar, Sweeney (March 15, 2014). "Jay Electronica Better In Tune With The Infinite (Ft. LaTonya Givens)". indieshuffle.com. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
  17. ↑ Minsker, Evan (July 28, 2012). "Jay Electronica Shares Album Tracklist - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com.
  18. ↑ Jay Electronica & Jay-Z - We Made It (Remix), retrieved 2016-08-09
  19. ↑ Reed, Ryan (March 6, 2015). "Hear Jay Electronica Sample Jay Z for 'Road to Perdition'". rollingstone.com.
  20. ↑ Smith, Trevor (July 3, 2016). "Jay Electronica Suggests New Project Will Arrive Within Next 40 Days". hotnewhiphop.com.
  21. ↑ "Jay Electronica reproaches and threaten 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar". 2dopeboyz. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  22. ↑ Ellis, Stacy-Ann (May 20, 2014). "10 Of Hip Hop's Most Unique Baby Names". www.vibe.com. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  23. ↑ Hsu, Hua (2012-06-13). "Jay Electronica and the Rothschild Affair". Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  24. ↑ Farrakhan, Louis (July 23, 2014). "Minister Louis Farrakhan's Letter on Jay Electronica, Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival". finalcall.com.
  25. ↑ Harling, Danielle (May 3, 2012). "Just Blaze Talks Hip-House, Says He's Not Working With Jay Electronica At The Moment". Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  26. ↑ ""Exhibit A" - Single by Jay Electronica". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  27. ↑ ""Exhibit C" - Single by Jay Electronica". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  28. ↑ Just Begun (track listing). Reflection Eternal. Blacksmith Records. 2010.
  29. ↑ "Close Your Eyes - EP by The Bullitts". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Mac Miller – Watching Movies With The Sound Off (Tracklist)". 25 May 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  31. 1 2 "They Die By Dawn & Other Short Stories - Album by The Bullitts". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Big Sean f. Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica - "Control (HOF)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. August 13, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Rapsody – She Got Game // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  34. ↑ "Common f. Vince Staples & Jay Electronica - "Kingdom (Remix)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. September 24, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  35. ↑ "PRhyme by Prhyme on Apple Music".
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