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Jay Electronica

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Jay Electronica
Jay Electronica performing in 2014
Jay Electronica performing in 2014
Background information
Also known asJe'Ri
Born
Timothy Elpadaro Thedford[1]

(1976-09-19) September 19, 1976 (age 49)[2]
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresConscious hip-hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Works
Years active2000–present[citation needed]
Labels
Children1
Websitejayelectronica.org
Signature

Elpadaro F. Electronica Allah[3][4] (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, singer, songwriter, 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 fellow American rapper Jay-Z to sign Electronica to his Roc Nation label—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, alongside peaking within the top 10 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, specifically at number 8; it was followed by his second studio album, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) (2020) in October of that same year, although it was originally recorded from 2010 to 2012. His guest appearance on fellow Jay-Z protégé Kanye West's 2021 song, "Jesus Lord", marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 26 on the chart.[5]

In 2025, he re-released Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge) and Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn). These re-releases were followed by three mini-albums, A Written Testimony: Leaflets, A Written Testimony: Power at the Rate of My Dreams, and A Written Testimony: Mars, the Inhabited Planet. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber, J. Cole, Mos Def, Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Mac Miller, Common, The Game, MF Doom, Chance the Rapper, and Vince Staples, alongside others. He also produced the opening track to Nas' untitled studio album (2008), and married fellow American singer Erykah Badu for five years.

Career

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Jay Electronica performing in 2010

2000; 2007–2020: Beginnings, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), and collaborations

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Before he was known as "Jay Electronica", he released his debut mixtape, The Awakening, in 2000, as "Je'Ri Allah". Seven years later, in 2007, he released his first mixtape as "Jay Electronica", Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), via Myspace. It was downloaded over 50,000 times within its first month.[6] That success and his catalog led to Electronica joining the Rock the Bells Tour in 2008,[7] performing with fellow artists B.o.B, Wale, Santigold, and Tyga, alongside others. 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)".[8] The song would later be released as Electronica's debut single in 2009.

Just Blaze would later debut Electronica's second single, "Exhibit C", on Tony Touch's Sirius Radio program on October 27, 2009,[9] where it quickly caught on, making its way to terrestrial radio stations like New York's Hot 97 and spawning artist remixes from fellow American rappers, such as B.o.B, Childish Gambino, The Game, Lil B, and Twista, alongside others. Due to the song's hype, a bidding war ensued with Jay finally signing with Roc Nation on November 12, 2010. 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,[10] including a feature on Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar's "Control" and a guest appearance on Poo Bear and Justin Bieber's "Hard 2 Face Reality". He also released his third single, "Shiny Suit Theory", for a sequel to his debut mixtape, although it would be temporarily shelved by 2012.

2020–2021: A Written Testimony and Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn)

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On February 7, 2020, Jay Electronica announced the completion of his album, A Written Testimony, which was recorded over a 40-day period.[11] It was released on March 13, 2020,[12] and was both critically and commercially successful, charting at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and peaking at number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also charted in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The track "The Blinding" (featuring Travis Scott) would also chart, peaking at number 9 of the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. In 2021, the album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Nas' King's Disease (2020).

On October 5, 2020, Jay Electronica released the sequel to his debut mixtape, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn), as his second studio album, after the album had leaked online two days prior.[13] In August 2021, Jay Electronica guest featured on the song "Jesus Lord" released on Kanye West's twelfth studio album, Donda (2021).[14] The song would be his very first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 26 on the chart. Electronica would also appear on the song's sequel, "Jesus Lord, Pt. 2", alongside The Lox.

2025–present: September rollout

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On September 17, 2025, Jay Electronica reissued his debut mixtape, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), to streaming services. The following day, he released Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) to streaming services.[15][16] On September 19, he released his first mini-album, A Written Testimony: Leaflets,[17][18][19] followed by a second titled A Written Testimony: Power at the Rate of My Dreams,[20] and his third mini-album, A Written Testimony: Mars, the Inhabited Planet on September 21.[21][22] The latter album was followed by a bonus track, "...Shine for Me" (featuring Kelly Moonstone).

Personal life

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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.[23] Jay Electronica had an affair with Kate Emma Rothschild, the wife of Benjamin Goldsmith, resulting in the breakdown of Goldsmith's marriage.[24]

Jay Electronica is a registered member of the Nation of Islam and follower of Louis Farrakhan.[25] His views play a major role in his music, including his debut studio album, A Written Testimony (2020), where Electronica speaks in both English and Arabic, the latter being the official language of Islam.

Controversies

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Statements about the Illuminati

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On March 13, 2020, Electronica caused controversy by posting a series of bizarre Tweets, in which he claimed to have had a meeting with the Illuminati (the legendary secret society that supposedly controls all world events with the aim of creating a New World Order). The controversy arose from the fact that his tweets accused certain groups in society of being part of the Illuminati, such as the Dominicans, the Visigoths and the Jehovah's Witnesses, leading him to be accused of committing racism, religious discrimination and being a conspiracy theorist.[26]

Feud with Joe Budden

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Since March 2020, Electronica is involved in an ongoing feud with broadcaster, media personality and former rapper Joe Budden due to Budden's negative review of Electronica's debut album, A Written Testimony (in which Budden openly says that he hated Electronica's debut album[27] and that he called Electronica's debut album "A Jay-Z Mixtape"), which led to him and Budden to get involved in a heated argument that went viral on Twitter, with the two exchanging accusations against each other.[28]

Antisemitism

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The track "Ghost of Soulja Slim" from the album A Written Testimony includes a reference to the "Synagogue of Satan", a phrase pulled from Revelation 2:9 often considered as an antisemitic slur. The album also contains samples of sermons by Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader whose rhetoric has often been denounced as antisemitic. As a result, Electronica has been accused of antisemitism.[29] His verse on Noname's song "Balloons" also features numerous antisemitic dog whistles, including the Rothschild conspiracy theory, which led to controversy and criticism.[30]

Discography

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Main article: Jay Electronica discography

Awards and nominations

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Grammy Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 A Written Testimony Best Rap Album Nominated [31]
2022 Donda Album of the Year Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Bassil, Ryan (October 23, 2013). "The Prestige, The Five Percenters, and Why Jay Electronica Hasn't Released His Debut Album". Vice. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "Jay Electronica Co-Signs Soulja Boy 'It's Not About Lyrics, It's About Energy – HIPHOPNEWS24-7.COM". YouTube. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  3. ^ "Credits / A Written Testimony / J A Y E L E C T R O N I C A". Tidal. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Anon. (2020). A Written Testimony (CD booklet). Jay Electronica. Roc Nation. 51602.
  5. ^ "Jay Electronica Alleges He Inspired Kanye West's "Bound 2" Production". Complex Networks.
  6. ^ Sweeney Kovar (October 10, 2013). "REVISITING… JAY ELECTRONICA'S 'ACT I: THE PLEDGE'". The Boombox. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  7. ^ "A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Pharcyde Lead Rock the Bells 2008". Rolling Stone. April 22, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  8. ^ "Guitar Center Helps Employees Release Their Music with Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 Compilation CD". Guitar Player. Retrieved March 12, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Just Blaze debuts Jay Electronica's "Exhibit C" and more on Toca Tuesday (Updated w/ lyrics)". Miss Info. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  10. ^ Thompson, Paul (March 13, 2020). "Your Guide to the Extended Mythology of Jay Electronica, Rap's Great Mystery". Vulture. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. ^ Murphy, Chris (March 13, 2020). "Jay Electronica's Long-Awaited Debut Album, A Written Testimony, Is Finally Here". Vulture. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  12. ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (March 13, 2020). "Jay Electronica's Debut Album Is Real, and It's Finally Here". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Haylock, Zoe (October 5, 2020). "Jay Electronica's Act II: The Patents of Nobility Out After 10 Years and a Leak". Vulture. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  14. ^ Caraan, Sophie (August 29, 2021). "Full List of Producers and Guest Artists on Kanye West's 'DONDA'". HypeBeast. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  15. ^ Bras Nevares, Gabriel (September 18, 2025). "Jay Electronica Finally Releases Act 1 & Act 2 On Streaming". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Cowen, Trace William (September 18, 2025). "Jay Electronica's Beloved Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) Gets Streaming Release". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  17. ^ White, Andrew (September 19, 2025). "Diddy Opens Jay Electronica's Surprise New Leaflets Album: 'Hip-Hop Is in a Dangerous Place'". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  18. ^ Morton, Devin (September 19, 2025). "Jay Electronica Surprise Drops New Album A Written Testimony: Leaflets On His 49th Birthday". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  19. ^ Bustard, Andy (September 19, 2025). "Jay Electronica Surprise Drops New Project A Written Testimony: Leaflets: Stream". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Bras Nevares, Gabriel (September 20, 2025). "Jay Electronica Drops New EP A Written Testimony: Power At The Rate Of My Dreams". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  21. ^ Bustard, Andy (September 22, 2025). "Jay Electronica Drops 2 New Projects As Music Spree Continues". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  22. ^ Horvath, Zachary (September 22, 2025). "Jay Electronica Shares Yet Another Chapter With A Written Testimony: Mars, The Inhabited Planet". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Fiyin, Olowokandi (February 10, 2020). "Meet Mars Merkaba, Erykah Badu's Younger Daughter Who Just Turned 11 in Beautiful Pics". news.amomama.com. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Beckford, Martin (June 22, 2012). "Jay Electronica: I'll 'come see' you, threatens Ben Goldsmith's rap star love rival". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  25. ^ "Farrakhan Predicts Another Holocaust, Espouses Antisemitism and Bigotry in Saviours' Day Speech | ADL". www.adl.org.
  26. ^ "Jay Electronica Claims He Met the Illuminati, Was Unimpressed". XXL Mag. March 13, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  27. ^ "Joe Budden Thinks Jay Electronica Got Smacked Around by Jay-Z". XXL Mag. March 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  28. ^ "Joe Budden and Jay Electronica Trade Shots, Budden Calls Elec's Album a Jay-Z Mixtape". XXL Mag. March 17, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  29. ^ Rosenberg, Yair (October 27, 2022). "Kanye West Destroys Himself". The Atlantic.
  30. ^ Cunningham, Kyndall (August 14, 2023). "Noname Refuses to Apologize for Jay Electronica's Antisemitic Verse on Her Album". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  31. ^ "Jay Electronica". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
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