Jay Electronica: A Written Testimony: Leaflets / A Written Testimony: Power at the Rate of My Dreams / A Written Testimony: Mars, the Inhabited Planet

"Jay Electronica's exceptional skill as a rapper has afforded him a level of favor that no one else in the hip-hop sphere-with the exception of André 3000-would have received within the same span of time. Between 2007 and 2020, he generally remained in the public's good graces off the strength of one innovative introductory mixtape, impressive guest verses, and a handful of monumental loosies that featured existential musings, astronomical wonder, and clips from cult cinema."

"But an indisputably well-rounded skillset is not really the New Orleanian's most redeeming quality. Electronica's defining trait as an artist is his commitment to personal narrative-his willingness to forfeit a spot on the hype train in order to move at a pace that feels purposeful and sincere. It's why, when he does release new material, you feel compelled to retrace his steps and ask: How does this pick up where he left off?"

"In late September, he reemerged with solo music for the first time in five years, offering three short projects within the span of a couple days. Titled A Written Testimony: Leaflets, A Written Testimony: Power at the Rate of My Dreams, and A Written Testimony: Mars, the Inhabited Planet, each-whether absorbed individually or collectively-feels like a return to the multifaceted world-building"

Jay Electronica maintained rare, long-term goodwill through a singular innovative mixtape, standout guest verses, and monumental loosies that mixed existential musings, cosmic imagery, and cult film samples. His music appealed to purists for echoes of Nas, Wu-Tang, and DOOM and to nontraditionalists for an independent approach on and off record. The central characteristic is a commitment to personal narrative and a deliberate pace that privileges purpose and sincerity over hype. Listeners approach new releases by tracing continuity and prophecy, weighing conviction against ambiguity. In late September he released three short projects titled A Written Testimony: Leaflets; Power at the Rate of My Dreams; and Mars, the Inhabited Planet, which suggest a return to multifaceted world-building.

Read at Pitchfork