Jay Electronica is dividing ardent fans after he reportedly refused to perform one of his biggest hits over the original beat…without a beat.
Sometimes genius and chaos come together at the same show…and depending on who you ask, Jay Electronica’s latest Los Angeles show might be a little bit of both.
News broke that the elusive Roc Nation lyricist attended a show in Los Angeles this weekend (April 4) and performed a performance that quickly became the talk of the town. There are scattered accounts of what happened, so we’re just piecing it together. Video footage now circulating on social media shows that things got tense when Jay decided to perform his iconic song “Exhibit C” without the iconic Just Blaze producer’s input.
Yeah… that beat. The most hip-hop-minded might hum it from memory.
News on social media said the DJ briefly put down his instrument, much to the excitement of the crowd. But soon after momentum was built, Jay reportedly asked for the music to be cut, and things went from there. He wanted to flow acapella. Some viewers didn’t like this decision.
Some fans started booing…and then the energy shifted.
Rather than turning to a more traditional performance, Jay addressed the audience directly and resisted negative reactions. I think he wants them to move on and not respond in any other way than a positive response. Artistic integrity…or disconnect with paying fans?
One said it became “uncomfortable” when he walked off the stage looking for people to boo. But Jay remained elusive and uncompromising.
Is this really surprising?
The man disappeared for years between releases before making the craziest return last year.
So maybe the real question isn’t whether the show takes a left turn.
My take out… well worth the money.
What I’m saying is this: the hip-hop crowd usually wants the moment they fall in love. Artists sometimes want to give you the moment they are living right now. There has to be a happy medium. Jay has a hip hop hit…rare. He is the most enigmatic rapper alive.
Is this a disaster? No, but it’s very Jay Electronica!
stay tuned.
