Jay Electronica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jay Electronica
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Jay Electronica performing in 2014
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Background information | |
Birth name | Timothy Elpadaro Thedford |
Also known as | Je'Ri |
Born | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
September 19, 1976
Genres | Hip Hop |
Occupation(s) |
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Works
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Years active | 2000–present |
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Children | 1 |
Elpadaro F. Electronica Allah (born Timothy Elpadaro Thedford; September 19, 1976), known professionally as Jay Electronica (stylized as J A Y E L E C T R O N I C A), is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in New Orleans, he first saw recognition with release of his debut mixtape, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge) (2007). Its success, along with his standalone single "Exhibit C", led American rapper Jay-Z to sign Electronica to the latter's record label, Roc Nation—following a multi-label bidding war—in 2010. His debut studio album, A Written Testimony (2020), was met with critical acclaim and entered the Billboard 200 at number 12; it was followed by his second album, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) (2020) in October of that same year. His guest performance on Kanye West's 2021 song, "Jesus Lord", marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Career
In 2007, Jay Electronica released his first mixtape, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), via Myspace. It was downloaded over 50,000 times. That success and his catalog led to Electronica joining the Rock the Bells Tour in 2008.
Later that year, producer Just Blaze and Jay Electronica selected songs for Guitar Center's GAIN project, Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 and included a (previously unnamed) song which Just Blaze named "Exhibit A (Transformations)."
Just Blaze would later (October 27, 2009) debut "Exhibit C" on Tony Touch's Sirius Radio program, where it quickly caught on, making its way to terrestrial radio stations like New York's Hot 97 and spawning artist remixes from MCs AZ, N.O.R.E, Saigon, Joell Ortiz and others.
A bidding war ensued with Jay finally signing (November 12, 2010) with Roc Nation. Though fans and critics anticipated a full-length debut, Electronica's output in the subsequent decade consisted of several collaborations and non-album solo songs.
On February 7, 2020, Jay Electronica announced via Twitter the completion of his album, A Written Testimony, which was recorded over a 40-day period. It was released on March 13, 2020.
On October 5, 2020, Jay Electronica announced via Twitter that his previously unreleased album, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn), was available for streaming on Tidal after the album had surfaced online two days prior.
In August 2021, Jay Electronica guest featured on the song "Jesus Lord" released on Kanye West's album Donda.
Personal life
Jay Electronica and Erykah Badu were in a relationship for five years and have a daughter together, Mars Merkaba Thedford, who was born in 2009.
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Jay Electronica is a registered member of the Nation of Islam and follower of Louis Farrakhan.
Discography
- A Written Testimony (2020)
- Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) (2020)
Awards and nominations
Organization | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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Grammy Awards | 2021 | Best Rap Album | A Written Testimony | Nominated |