Since Jay Electronica’s 2007 debut, he’s been a rap unicorn. With only one 15-minute-long “mixtape” and two singles, the mysterious figure is highly regarded amongst die-hard fans and has even garnered a close working relationship with Jay-Z. In less than one week he’s finally stepping out of the shadows and is set to deliver his first project in over 12 years.
But who is he?
He is Jay Electronica, a 43-year-old rapper and producer. His first (and only) project came in 2007 in the form of one 15-minute-long song with no drums, divided into 5 tracks based on Jon Brion’s soundtrack, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
In 2009, he released his only two singles – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” and “Exhibit C” – the latter of which became a hip-hop phenomenon.
With such an impressive and limited catalogue, Jay Electronica got the attention of Jay-Z who signed him to his Roc Nation label in 2010. But ever since being featured on Big Sean’s game-changing “Control” alongside Kendrick Lamar in 2013, Jay Electronica has been relatively quiet. Aside from a few features and loose songs released online, we haven’t heard from him.
Being such a reclusive, isolated person with hardly no discography to judge makes it difficult to say who exactly Jay Electronica is.
But, on March 18 that’s all about to change.
On February 7 via a series of five Tweets, the rap unicorn let us know his debut album “A Written Testimony” was done and would arrive 40 days from then.
Immediately, he began trending on Twitter and his mentions were flooded with mixed opinions. Most were good, but some were judgmental of the fact Jay Electronica said the album was recorded in 40 days.
And I can’t say I blame the judgement, either.
Because what have you been doing for 12+ years?
There’s no reason to take that many years off and then record a project in 40 days between December and February. Although I can’t picture hearing a rushed album from the carefully calculated artist, I could see it being one. That would be a major let down for me and fans who have anticipated new music from him for over a decade.
Jay Electronica may not be a household name, but “A Written Testimony” could very well change that.
But if the album sounds rushed and half assed, it’s going to tarnish one of the smallest and most elusive discographies in all of rap – granted it does actually come out.
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