Jay Jefe was born in Mount Vernon, NY, and raised in the Bronx for a couple years. In 4th grade, Jay moved further upstate with his mother, to The City Of Poughkeepsie. Six months ago he released his freshmen mixtape titled, “JEFE The Mixtape”, and is currently working on releasing hit singles. On his latest single, “Space”, Jay recruits his partner in crime, WillKane, and Phil Ade from EBM [Wale’s Camp].
Any fan of Jay Jefe’s mixtape release, knows that pop appeal and street loyalty are not mutually exclusive within this artist’s repertoire — “Space” feat. Phil Ade & WillKane (PROD. by JCorrea), is a confident, measured play to the rapper’s strengths tempered by a subtle shift away from the simple machine-induced trap aesthetics, accomplishing a perspective that levels the crossover styles that characterizes Jay Jefe’s mixtape output with radio-ready subject material.
Rap audiences often carry a tacit expectation for emcees to fall into one category or the other — languishing in the cycles of crime and violence, or sublimated into an advocate’s role through reform and rebirth. Jay Jefe’s vision comes through clearly, as he resists these categorizations that exist largely for the benefit of comfy suburban audiences.
He brings listeners into his songs along pathways of growth wherein the intimate parts of his character are never purged or sublimated, but remain an integral part of what inspires his unique perspective.
This emotional ambivalence translates well onto the record’s sparkling, slow-bouncing production palette, where Jay Jefe’s somber flow infuses the track with a palpable “calm after the storm” aura.
In the world of mainstream hip-hop nowadays, it’s hard to find an artist who’s truly unique and exceptional. More often than not, the rappers that have made it big in the last few years have been trap rappers.
As a result, it’s pretty surprising when an underground voice manages to break through the plethora of trendy rappers and produce something that is able to use proto-trap styles but deliver quality as well. And it just so happens that Jay Jefe is that necessary voice.
“Space” feat. Phil Ade & WillKane (PROD. by JCorrea) sees Jay Jefe succeed in expressing his uncompromised self on a global stage, bringing his infectious, life-breathing vibe to the otherwise sterile environment of rap singles.
Records like this are what will eventually out-mode the contradiction of “too street for the industry,” eschewing both categories in the unique accomplishment of a successful storytelling venture. More like this!
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