Jean Grae
Album: The Orchestral Files Deluxe 2CD Edition
Release Date: June 10, 2008

review:
Unearthed recordings by Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Recordings artist Jean Grae aka What? What? and Run Run Shaw, given name Tsidi Ibrahim, daughter of jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand). As a member of the late 90s Hip Hop group Natural Resource, she helped define the independent NY Hip Hop scene as an MC alongside Pumpkinhead and Bad Seed, and maintains ties with Hip Hop crews Brooklyn Academy, Little Brother, Justus League, and has worked with Nicolay, 9th Wonder, Skyzoo.

Currently touring with Kweli, after being featured on his album that debuted at #1 on the charts, Jean Grae has been on the cover of Urb and has articles in Spin, Fader, Maxim, along with many other periodicals. MTV has given an ’Advanced Warning’ about Grae, and Rolling Stone called her the ’Next to Blow.’ Heralded as a mix of Lauryn Hill with a little MC Lyte, her last album entitled "This Week" moved over 30k units. This collection documents pre-Blacksmith recordings, a snapshot of her raw skills and memorable delivery, never before available. Her fanbase has been anticipating two rumored completed full lengths, "Jeanius" (recorded entirely with 9th Wonder) and "Phoenix" (slated for release on Warners/Blacksmith) neither of which have street dates at this time.

Track listing

Disc 1
1. Trouble Man
2. Soul Clap
3. Mean
4. My Angel Is You
5. What Ya Gona Do
6. The Story
7. The Band
8. Jean Experience
9. Break
10. It’s A Wrap
11. It’s Alright

Disc 2
1. DJ Kay Slay - Intro
2. Masta Ace & Jean Grae - Soda & Soap
3. Guru, Talib Kweli & Jean Grae - Power, Money & Influence
4. Jean Grae - The Jam
5. The Herbaliser & Jean Grae - Nah’mean Nah’m Sayin
6. Songodsuns (aka 2Mex) & Jean Grae - Breath Of A Salesman
7. Splash & Jean Grae - Another Day
8. Vordul Mega (of Cannibal Ox) & Jean Grae - Believe
9. Jean Grae - Fall Back
10. Jean Grae - Look Around
11. The Herbaliser & Jean Grae - If You Close Your Eyes
12. Beatminerz & Jean Grae - U... Me... All Ov Us
13. Black Panther & Jean Grae - The Darkest Night Ever
14. Beatminerz & Jean Grae – Big Beat Walkthrough
15. Prince Paul, Horror City & Jean Grae - Controversial Headlines (aka Champion Sound Pt. 2)
16. C-Rayz Walz & Jean Grae - Pink
17. Diverse & Jean Grae - Under The Hammer
18. The Herbaliser & Jean Grae - Twice Around

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