Song Review: Jay Electronica “FYI”

“FYI” begins with the words of the Honorable Elijah Mohammed speaking on the age of the Universe and the history of man, in a speech that is not easy to make out what he is saying. The looped melody is carried by a powerful piano, that makes this piece of music a little more bright and a little more hopeful/optimistic in it’s tone compared to the other pieces from “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” that Jay Electronica uses.

 

Jay continues where he left off in “Voodoo Man,” criticizing the average rapper for focusing more on material matters, than on matters of existence and life, that provoke thought.

 

While you was blowin’ “x” amount of dollars on a bracelet,

The sovereign nation of France was opening their files on the UFO Phenomenon.

i.e. Spaceships, Just the facts Jack, Might as well face it.

 

SIDENOTE: This is a reference to France’s online release of UFO files in 2007, including documented reports of 1600 UFO sightings.

 

He continues on to tell how his words are the only source of truth in music, and that he is on “some serious shit” and some “mysterious shit.” Well said Jay, well said. Electronica explains that he chose rap of all things, simply because he was blessed with it, and has the touch of Midas when it comes to music (Which is why he can rap over movie scores). Though, with his “understanding of the minus and plus,” rap and its accolades, he explains, are not his interest (As we all know, there is no real competition for him. He knows it too….)

 

The clever placement of words and syllabication is present again in “FYI” as Jay once again uses the technique of elaborate form, to bring back rhymes from 6 lines ago, or in other words- from the dead, as he tells us that he has bigger fish to fry than some simple-ass rapper.

 

Im trying to kill Lucifer, so if I have to brake

Cause a rapper in my face

Tellin me that he the great:

You can bet a shiny nickel I’ll blast, his motherfu***** as* way past Jupiter,

Couldn’t be stupider.

 

It is harsh, yet charming simultaneously. Jay finishes the song by mocking the modern taste: that rather than have him speak on worldly matters and our reason for existence, blunts, cash and women’s backsides take up the airwaves. “Trash” as he calls it. The song calls for action in the last two lines, claiming that we are all consumed with this trash, and need saving.

 

“FYI” delivers what every critic of hip-hop has been saying for the last ten years, that it is generally about nothing, or nothing that matters at least. Jay goes beyond this by intertwining some of his rhymes and claims from another dimension- of course. But the most important thing that “FYI” does is draw attention and critique to our own ears and brains, as “trash” only sells, because we long to hear it. The fact that Jay explains this while delivering masterful verses and rhyme schemes is ironic in itself. Another reason why Jay Electronica should have a firm hold on all of our ears, the man speaks the truth, and you can learn a few things in the process.

 

“FYI” rating: 5