Money is still a thing (I'm waiting for Star Trek life to start). You're like, 'Everything's fine,' but the narrator in your head is like, 'Everything was not fine.'" Ĭhris stated in regards to the theme of the album, "We have a for a president, and before our eyes, racial, religious, and sexual identity rights are moving backwards. It's like, 'Oh, let's just make an album!'" Įxplaining the title Grae says, "As you get older, it tends to be a response that you give more and more without realizing that you're even doing it. On DecemQuelle Chris announced on Twitter, "I just proposed to and she said yes!" When asked why they chose to work together on the album Chris told Uproxx, "We're together all the time anyway, so it's not like you have to set times to link up or anything. Jean Grae and Quelle Chris had worked on several projects together before Everything's Fine, including Grae's That's Not How That Works series. Alongside the announcement the first single "Ohsh" was released, which features comic Hannibal Buress. It’s just that I can’t help wondering what the results might be if Jean had diversified the production roster with a few tracks from DJ Premier and a Beatminer or two.Everything's Fine was announced on Januto be released March 30. Several songs showcase both the MC and production working perfectly together: the insistent Rhodes organ that drives “2-32’s,” a chorus of “aah’s” that backs “The Time is Now.” But the syncopated fills in many of 9th Wonder’s melodies don’t quite jive with Grae’s dense flow. “My Story” is another, as Grae explores her relationship with her mother as 9th Wonder drops a muted horn-and-flute loop and a sweetly-harmonized chorus washes through.īut that’s the thing – an R&B chorus on a Jean Grae joint? It’s not that the music isn’t good, but during many of its best moments, she kind of sounds like a guest on her own record. “Don’t Rush Me” is a prime example: There’s nothing like knowin yourself / Like the way I know that smokin’s kinda tough on my health / Like the way I know my flow don’t make appropriate wealth / I know I can’t change that but it’s / Funny I say that / When it’s money I’m aimed at.” Because Jean is lyrically strong throughout the entire album, particularly on the songs that cut a little deeper. The relatively simple drum patterns suit Grae’s gruff delivery, but lack the pop and sizzle to elevate the album beyond mid-tempo, minor-key affairs.īut maybe that’s not it. Jean pairs up with producer 9th Wonder for "Jeanius," and while he can always be counted on to bring a little soul to the proceedings, there always seems to be something keeping his beats from transcending the old-school R&B samples that comprise them. Len’s hilariously-titled solo album, "Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks," where she tore into a sinister piano loop with the commanding female rap voice I’d heard. My first introduction to New York rapper Jean Grae came a little late: it was via DJ Mr. But while there are some great moments, both lyrically and musically, it doesn't all work together as well as it could. Producer 9th Wonder is, too, bringing a little soul to the proceedings.