�Jean Grae: In Her Own Words�

HHDX Field Interview By Kevin L. Clark

Beware! At first glance, appearances may be deceiving. A demure, introspective, deep-thinking female could not possibly be a savage. Read the first line again appearances may be deceiving. Especially when considering that Jean Grae also known as Jeanius is the topic matter at hand.

HipHopDX.com sat down with the Goddess MC.

You come from a musical family, correct?
Yes, my Mother is a jazz singer and my Father is a jazz pianist.

Are they still performing?
Yes, they are still performing.

Independent artists are usually thought of as struggling musicians, do you have any other jobs that may support your love of Hip-Hop?
Everythings a hustle. I would do voice-overs for a few commercials. Lord Sear, Sadat X, and I would also work together on certain projects.

Do you have any fears about not making it in this business?
I mean, everyone has their reservations about not making it in the business,
especially this business. But there comes a time where you just have to say, Fuck it, and do what you feel is in your heart.

Youve griped about less talented artists getting more shine than you. What keeps you going?
My mom. Yep, my mom. To see her still struggling for an art form that she still
believes in and has been doing it longer than I have, I dont know how I would feel if I were to quit now. Its not in my nature. No matter how frustrated I get, I wont stop.

Jeanius with 9th Wonder is some of the best work Ive heard from you. How did it feel when it was leaked out to the Internet so early? Are there still plans to release it officially?
It sucked. It really did. Yes, there are still plans to release it, it is going to be called, Phoenix. There are plans to do a follow-up. Same formula and everything.

Rolling Stone says that youre the best kept secret in Hip-Hop. With that label, are you being called on to do any features or guest appearances?
Theyve been calling me the next this, the next that for three years now. No, no one has been calling for any features.

What would you say is the one thing people do not understand about you?
I would say that the one thing people do not understand about me is that they have this perception that Im the angry, whiny rapper. And Im not. I am passionate about my craft.