Album Review: Jean Grae - This Week (Babygrande)

Writer: Jonah Wyn Pugh 

Until 1999, Jean Gray guested on so many records she was referred to as the Cameo Queen. Running with Natural Resources gave her the opportunity to hone her rhyming and production skills, manifesting most recently in This Week, her second and most readily welcomed album release. Born in Cape Town, Grae is hands down the best South African Hip Hop export, even if she doesn’t choose to confront any of her birthplace’s more sensitive social and political issues in her lyrics. However, having said that, the album retains an intelligence that should not go unacknowledged. In fact, it is clear from the start that her self-proclaimed ‘horror comedy’ rhymes demonstrate a tongue in cheek social commentary that do not necessitate the rancours of apartheid to give her message weight, her present social perspective being stark enough for the darkest of humour.

In terms of ability, This Week is evidence of the time Grae has taken to develop what is clearly an innate talent. Having attended La Guardia School of the Arts (made famous by the Fame) could well be the catalyst for the intelligence of her lyrical and productive distinction. One can hear elements of the West Village collective (i.e. Mos Def and Talib Kweli), but that’s not to say she is a copycat - more a card carrying member of the process. You can’t copy a flow like Jean’s, you either have it or you don’t. The Wall is a perfect example of this - the intricate rhyming patterns of a well seasoned wordsmith, demonstrating a deep understanding of both the dynamic and versatility of her craft.

Ironically, the one element of this album worthy of criticism is the male influence. Grae’s supporting characters’ seemingly pointless use of inane profanity serves only to highlight her superior female approach. Either they are letting her down or she’s being hugely ironic, but considering the sophistication of this album, I’m certain it is the latter.

The album could, however, at times be deemed confused. Don’t Rush Me lies in the grey area between spoken word and the more down to earth West Village Hip Hop, a familiar but not unwelcome fusion of mutually complimentary styles. On the production side, she may not be reinventing the wheel, but she’s definitely polishing her new set of rims. Working with names like Midi Mafia (50 Cent) and 9th Wonder (Jay-Z), Grae has clearly entered the upper echelons of her genre and is enjoying some well deserved love from her peers. Tunes like Supa Luv demonstrate an intelligent use of well chosen soul influences, which compliment both her strong singing and MC voice. And so in light of so much unimaginative competition, Grae should be hailed as a shining light to guide us through the next few years of commercial hip hop. All in all a strong album.

RELATED LINKS:
Jean Grae - official website



Buy Jean Grae's This Week album at Amazon UK (CD) | US (CD)




PUBLISHED: 20 November 2004

RELEASE DATE: 21 September 2004 (UK) | 21 September 2004 (US)

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