Jean Grae sits down with TheWellVersed while in Las Vegas to discuss why she performs songs that nobody has ever heard before, what’s the holdup on Cake or Death, how important the mixing process is to an album and how disposable music is today over vodka water pistols. Yeah, seriously.

“People have the attention span of gnats. Even if you put out an amazing album, in the next two weeks they’re like ‘Ok, so, what’s next’ (or) ‘Oh my God! That’s classic! That’s so old school!’ That could be fucking January. Is January old school? So taking your time (with an album) versus instant gratification is a good thing. If nobody is doing that then pace the audience… we can put out a single right now and put out another one months later and keep riding it out. If it’s timeless, that’s fine. If it’s for right now then good fucking luck.”

PREVIOUS: PROFILE: Jean Grae (Video)

A behind-the-scenes look at Talib, Pharoahe, Buck and Jean preparing for the Duck Down vs Blacksmith CMJ Showcase going down tomorrow night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in NYC. Hit the jump for the flyer and grab your tickets here.

In the latest episode of PROFILES, Dee sits down with Jean Grae, rapper/professional asshole Stacy Jambles, high school custodian from Ohio.

RELATED: Talib Kweli – Uh Oh f. Jean Grae (Extended Video)

Extended version of Talib and Jean’s latest video. Gutter Rainbows, Gavailable now.

Track 13 off Talib’s Gutter Rainbows gets the visual treatment.

DOWNLOAD: Idle Warship – System Addict f. Jean Grae & Jay Knocka (prod. DJ Khalil)

The trio of Graph Nobel, Res and Talib Kweli are returning with the follow-up to 2009′s Party Robot, set to drop later this year. Props to Confusion and company.

DOWNLOAD: Idle Warship – System Addict f. Jean Grae & Jay Knocka | Mediafire

This is her first full-length since Jeanius, right? Wow, that’s been a while. Jean’s back, and she’s brought DJ Drama along for the ride. Tracklist and link down bottom.

Jean Grae is giving away her cookies. Free Mix-CD, ‘Cookies or Comas’ out next Thursday, June 23rd, at 12PM EST. First audio leak, “Casebasket” is produced by Boogie Blind [of the X-Ecutioners]. The album is hosted by DJ Drama (A Gangsta Grillz Special Edition) & features Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Styles P & Royce Da 5′ 9.”

PREVIOUS: Jean Grae – R.I.P. f. Talib Kweli & Styles P (prod. Ski Beatz)

Photo By: AHorsewithNoName

Years before Jean Grae gave us underground gems like Attack of the Attacking Things, This Week, Hurricane Jean or her genius collaboration with 9th Wonder, she was making a name for herself with her mid 90′s crew, Natural Resource along with Ocean and DJ Aggie. During this era, she went by What What and at times, by her government, Tsidi Ibrahim. Some of y’all may remember their strongest cut, (Negro League) Baseball put out independently on a 12″ by Ekapa RPM Records in 1996, which, interestingly enough, was a label owned by Jean’s father, Abdullah Ibrahim, a legendary South African jazz musician. Natural Resource followed the Negro League Baseball single with 1997′s I Love This World which also contained a remix to Bum Deal, released on Makin’ Records. Unfortunately for the group, this was the last 12″ they put out, altogether, only two singles were ever released.

Despite the slim pickings from this unexplored crew, they’re a great time capsule for underground heads and Jean Grae fans alike, where til this day, Jean continues to destroy mics, “bubbling undergound like a soda beneath some broken rubble.” Props to TwelveInchers for the original uploads.

DOWNLOAD: Negro League Baseball

DOWNLOAD: Bum Deal (rmx)

DOWNLOAD:

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DOWNLOAD: I Love This World

DOWNLOAD: They Lied (rmx)

Directed by The ICU

Jean’s Cookies Or Coma will finally see the light of day this year. Good, because I can’t keep blasting Jeanius forever… oh who am I kidding, of course I can.

DOWNLOAD: Jean Grae – R.I.P. f. Styles P & Talib Kweli (prod. Ski Beatz)

My favorite Pharoahe Monch song will always be the Diamond D-produced “The Light,” and because of that cut I’ve been a huge Monch fan. His third solo album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) drops March 22nd, and I can’t wait for it to finally bless my ears.

PRE-ORDER: Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
PREVIOUS: Clap (One Day) (Short Film) | Black Hand Side f. Styles P & Phonte | The Warning f. Idris Elba (prod. Pharoahe Monch) | Clap (One Day) f. Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind (prod. M-Phazes)