Rappers like Jean Grae?

November 5, 2010 12:26 AM

I'd like to listen to more rappers who are like Jean Grae (example), especially if they're female. Could you help me find new music to listen to?
posted by flibbertigibbet to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

BB Queen, Bahamadia. You won't regret it.
posted by shinybaum at 1:50 AM on November 5, 2010

Also Rah Digga.
posted by shinybaum at 1:58 AM on November 5, 2010

I'm sorry; can't tell if you're familiar with some of the older acts, so...

Lauryn Hill
Jill Scott
Missy Elliot - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Simply a Joy

Talib Kweli - Get By
One Be Lo - Axis
posted by carsonb at 2:03 AM on November 5, 2010

Nola Darling - Step to Me
Tiye Phoenix - The Award
posted by carsonb at 2:35 AM on November 5, 2010

I just looked up some of this girls tracks earlier today, but Nicki Minaj is pretty awesome. here is a track of her own, she's pretty new.

I don't know if she sounds that much like Jean Grey, though.
posted by delmoi at 3:21 AM on November 5, 2010

When you say 'like Jean Grae,' what are you referring to?
posted by box at 5:52 AM on November 5, 2010

Yo Yo, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Nonchalant, and MAAAYBE early Lil' Kim if you're feeling nasty.

I'll be watching this thread like a hawk. I love badass female rappers.
posted by Lieber Frau at 6:28 AM on November 5, 2010

Oh, and if you haven't heard Janelle Monae yet, you are missing out.
posted by Lieber Frau at 6:29 AM on November 5, 2010

Get 'em mamis. First rap song I've heard to incorporate a reference to Gwenevere. Also, cold summer is excellent.
posted by Diablevert at 6:44 AM on November 5, 2010

Jean Grae was formerly known as What What?, so don't miss out on tracks she shredded in her salad days:

Bring it & Let it Go by Herbalizer
Natural Resource - Negro league baseball

God, 90s hip hop makes my day every time.
posted by activitystory at 6:51 AM on November 5, 2010

Psalm One, from time to time (she's going over someone else's beat, just like Jean Grae is in your clip).

Apani B - Let Me Know.
posted by cashman at 7:11 AM on November 5, 2010

You probably already know some of the people she collaborates with? Not females, but Pumpkinhead, Outerspace, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique... that's how I got to her originally at least.
posted by johnsu01 at 10:00 AM on November 5, 2010

I can't believe that no one recommended Atmosphere yet. They're not female, but their music is VERY similar to that example you posted. I would recommend To All My Friends and The Loser Wins.
posted by Vrai at 11:25 AM on November 6, 2010

You might check out any Mr. Len, formerly of Company Flow, has put together. He works with Jean Grae, or at least did in the past, and many of the artists he puts on have an aesthetic that could be considered similar to hers.

Roosevelt Franklin is a good example, and this song even has Jean Grae on it (as well as Slug, which someone mentioned.)

Also while Mr. Lif doesn't exactly sound like Jean Grae, he is certainly part of a rap world that overlaps with hers. Here they overlap on one of his songs.

And, also, if you ever have the chance to see her live, do it. Most rap shows are somewhere in the mediocre-to-shit range of the spectrum no matter how good the artist, but Jean Grae is a performer and a half.
posted by kensington314 at 1:24 PM on November 6, 2010 [1 favorite]