(TIML MUSIC) Jay Electronica calls on Jay-Z for what may be the most important rap release of 2020.
Jay Electronica fans have been awaiting a full-length album from him for more than ten years. But now, after a decade of false starts, the New Orleans native has finally released his debut album, A Written Testimony.
After giving a preview of the music on Instagram Live in a studio gathering with Jay-Z, Big Sean, journalist Elliott Wilson, and other friends and family, Jay Electronica released the record on Tidal. YouTube, Apple Music, and Google Play followed (though no word on Spotify, yet). A Written Testimony sees Jay Electronica working with Jay-Z in a style that has drawn comparisons to Raekwon and Ghostface Killah on Rae’s classic debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Hov appears on eight of the album’s nine songs (excluding an intro that has Louis Farrakhan speaking), trading thoughtful, clever rhymes with his Roc Nation signee. Jay-Z’s features aren’t credited in the track titles, though the guest spots by Travis Scott and The-Dream are.
Most of the production duties are surprisingly attributed to Jay Elec himself, though other producers like The Alchemist, No I.D., AraabMuzik, and Khruangbin also contribute.
Is the album worth the wait? Listen to A Written Testimony and decide for yourself.