After Jay Electronica released his long-awaited debut album A Written Testimony, an album co-piloted by the legendary Jay-Z, Joe Budden wasted little time voicing his displeasure with the final product. It didn’t take long for Jay Electronica to get wind of Budden’s incendiary critique, and he proceeded to set off a heated Twitter exchange. Now, having had the weekend to reflect on the fallout, Budden addressed Electronica’s words on The Joe Budden Podcast. 

“I’m not steaming over this Jay Elec thing,” laughs Joe. “Jay Elec can diss me for the next five weeks on a fucking Hov collab mixtape again. I wouldn’t feel bad.” Eventually, he reiterates on a position he’s taken for a minute now. “I’m not trying to know you n***as,” he maintains. “I want to make my position clear. Very early on for me, I realized it was more valuable to be able to speak about you than to speak to you. I’m not trying to have Thanksgiving dinner with some of these n***as.”
 

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When he asked whether his critique was unfair, Mal reasons that it was not the words, but the delivery that left Jay rankled. “When you’re yelling and you’re cursing, what the fuck is that, what is this bullshit, that’s when it takes away from what you’re really saying,” he says. Joe states that he expected Jay Electronica to be “holier” than resorting to back and forth tweeting, which prompts Mal to explain how many artists have a hard time separating “media Joe” from the rapper he once was. 

“I don’t think I should be attacked for saying you not starting your own debut is off-putting to me,” says Joe. “If you’re going to produce and deliver and execute one of the greatest rap bodies of work ever published, Joe Budden is shutting the fuck up. There is nothing for Joe Budden to say because you have exhibited greatness…The disappointment here comes from expecting greatness, waiting for greatness, waiting for some shit for ten years and being underwhelmed.”

Check out the full discussion below — do you think expectation is the death of enjoyment? 

Jay Electronica's debut album A Written Testament finally arrived after over a decade of waiting last Friday. It was generally met with pretty good praise from most people, although his inclusion of Louis Farrakhan and bars about the "Synagogue of Satan" rubbed a few people the wrong way. Nonetheless, the project, which was essentially a joint effort with Jay-Z, was praised by those who waited over a decade for the album but it wasn't immune to criticism from those same individuals.

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Joe Budden shared his thoughts on Jay's new project and claimed that Jay-Z washed Jay Electronica. That evolved into a little back-and-forth between the two rappers with Jay Elec saying he's never heard a Joe Budden album before and then wishing the Joe Budden Podcast host a successful career as a journalist. However, it seems like Jay might not have been speaking the truth entirely. 

A video surfaced of Jay Electronica and Joe Budden posted up backstage at a concert with the former singing praises of the latter. "I always knew who Joe Budden was, but the first time I ever met him was with Santos. He had good energy but I fucks with him as an MC because he's not on no pretend shit," Jay Elec told Angela Yee. "He a real n***a and he don't give a f*ck so I like that.

Peep the clip below. 

It feels incredibly surreal but, after waiting all this time for Jay Electronica to release his highly-anticipated debut studio album, it has officially arrived. The oftentimes mythically absent rapper unleashed A Written Testimony last week, collaborating with Jay-Z on the majority of songs and also enlisting vocals from Travis Scott and others. As we digested the project, some people, like Joe Budden, were underwhelmed by Electronica's contributions to the album after waiting decades to receive the body of work. In Budden's words, Jay Elec was "washed" by his colleague. That did not sit well with the unicorn of hip-hop.

After hearing Joe Budden's critique of the album, Jay Electronica chimed in by claiming the retired rapper has never made a classic. 

Social distancing hits different when you've got a manor like Jay-Z and Beyonce, who could likely fill several calendars from glamor house shots alone. Case in point, Complex reports that the album cover of Jay Electronica and Jay-Z's collaboration album A Written Testimony is actually a photograph of the Carter-Knowles' infinity pool, a view so breathtaking that many wondered whether it was a Bob Ross-esque painting. In fact, some still remain adamant that it is a painting, albeit one mirrored after a real-life photo. 

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It was also claimed during the album's Livestream that Beyonce actually took the photograph herself, though it's unconfirmed whether it was taken with Jay Eletronica's album specifically in mind. Perhaps the Jigga Man was simply rifling through Beyonce's iPhone archives, hitting that tiny heart icon whenever he stumbled upon a favorite, and found himself drawn to the inherent serenity of the pool shot. Or perhaps Beyonce was actively involved in the creative process, which is entirely possible given the scope of her artistic vision. 

All things considered, Bey's eye came through in a major way; not only is the cover for A Written Testimony visually appealing, but it also checks off a few thematic boxes. That of chasing and finding paradise, for one -- not to mention the opulent lifestyle associated with success in the rap game. Knowing Jay Electronica, however, it would certainly seem fair to suggest the former is more in character. 

Third best hip-hop artist of all-time, Joe Budden revealed that he believes that Jay Z outperformed Jay Electronica on his highly-anticipated debut album, A Written Testimony (2020). The opinionated retired rapper and his Joe Budden Podcast associates took the time to indiscriminately analyze the New Orleans rapper’s project in its totality. While many participants in the culture believe that Hov’s contributions to the LP were necessary, well-crafted, and executed to perfection, others believe that Jay Z might have taken the spotlight from Jay Electronica on his own body of work. It just so happens that the coveted hip-hop media personality believes the latter and had some additional views about Jay Electronica’s performance on the album in comparison to Hov’s.  Theo Wargo/Getty Images

On Saturday’s (March 14) episode of the JBP, the New Jersey-bred ex-emcee didn’t hold back regarding his thoughts of A Written Testimony claiming that the “Better in Tune” was outshined by his Roc Nation counterpart and expressed his disappointment with the project that took nearly a decade to release. At approximately the 32:15-mark of the episode, Joe Budden gets candid about his thoughts of the project stating:

“It is a mistake. As a rapper, I’m telling you, he (Jay Electronica) got smacked around (by Jay-Z).” Joe continued, “Granted, this is hate, but it’s rapper hate. Because, when y’all move the goalpost, as a rapper, I see it. For the last decade, y’all have mentioned Jay Elec with Hov. And Jay Elec positions himself that way on arguably one of the greatest tracks ever on ‘Exhibit C.’ That is God level rhyming.”

The 39-year-old media personality then went on to clarify his statement of ‘hating’ A Written Testimony around the 41:00-mark, declaring:

“I hate this album. F*ck what y’all talking ’bout. I hate it. Hate is my underwhelmed. For me to say I’m underwhelmed, I didn’t go into it expecting anything.”

While Joe Budden might have been disappointed with Jay Electronica’s performance on his debut release, ex-Roc-a-Fella associate, Choke No Joke, revealed his disdain for Jay Z’s contribution to the album writing one hell of a soliloquy on his Instagram account taking shots at the Roc Nation head honcho.

Check out the full episode of The Joe Budden Podcast in the streaming link provided below.  

The past few weeks have blessed us with album releases from the likes of Jhené Aiko and Jay Electronica‘s and dope singles from Kehlani and JoJo, and as a result, our “R&B Season” playlist is looking pretty fire. HNHH has been curating our custom R&B-centric Spotify playlist for months now, in order to give our hip-hop loving audience a taste of the often-overlapping genre’s finest offerings. 

The latest additions to the R&B roundup include two tracks off of Jhené Aiko’s highly-anticipated album, CHILOMBO, which dropped last Friday to high praise. The H.E.R.-featured  “B.S.” is a major highlight off the album, as is her stoner-friendly “Tryna Smoke.” Another big drop was Jay Electronica’s A Written Testimony this past Friday. While the project is predominantly hip-hop-heavy, as is to be expected from the Roc Nation rapper, Jay dipped his toe into the R&B sound alongside the album’s consistent collaborator, Jay-Z, on the devastating “A.P.I.D.T.A.” An acronym for “All Praise Is Due To Allah,” the somber song tackles the tribulations of loss, and was actually written on the night that Kobe Bryant tragically passed.

Kehlani also came through with some new music this week, denouncing unhealthy relationships on, “Toxic.” JoJo supported this sentiment on her own single, “Man,” and we decided to show both tracks some love. Check out our “R&B Season” playlist in full along with some of our other playlists below:

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Follow FIRE EMOJI on Spotify.

Follow R&B SEASON on Spotify.

Follow our freshly-updated Wake & Bake playlist here.

Follow our G.O.O.D. Music playlist (for a GOOD ASS FRIDAY) here. 

Once again former Roc-a-Fella videographer and director, Arthur ‘Choke No Joke’ Alston is taking shots at Jay Z, and this time it’s over Hov’s bars on Jay Electronica‘s debut album, A Written Testimony (2020). It seems like ever since the fall of Roc-a-Fella Records, Choke No Joke has been using his platform to slander Jay Z at any given moment or time. Throughout Jay Elec’s debut LP, Jay Z chose to address a variety of subjects including his deal with the NFL, ownership, and more. However, on one particular entitled “Ghost of Soulja Slim,” Hov did make a direct reference of Choke No Joke throughout his initial verse. Theo Wargo/Getty Images 

Jay kicks off his verse rapping:

“Next time they bring up the Gods, you gon’ respect us
That lil’ vest ain’t gonna do you, I shoot from neck up
I ain’t even tryna hold ya, Magnolia Slim
I’m a soldier from that mode, I’m the ghost of him
From the era of police stretcher, no cameras catch it
Drop you off in a rival hood, you rather be arrested”

Then proceeds to reference Choke No Joke in the following bar before referencing his twin child Rumi Carter and the destruction of imperialistic ideals by infiltrating corrupt systems from within, stating:

“If you didn’t have no straps, you couldn’t wear your necklace
Niggas hand around your throat, that’s a choker reference
My ancestors took old food, made soul food
Jim Crow’s a troll too, he stole the soul music
That’s the blood that goes through me, so you assumin’
I could never sell my soul, they sold they soul to me
Peaceful teaching of Rumi, but don’t confuse me
You mouth off for the cameras, I make a silent movie
Now here’s some jewelry
No civilization is conquered from the outside until it destroys itself from within
Pen, put a pin in that, will come back when I fin”

Of course, Choke No Joke didn’t take too kindly being referenced in one of Hov’s verses and took to his Instagram account to voice his disdain for Jay’s semi-silent shots. The director went on to post a photo of Jay Electronica’s album cover and “Ghost of Soulja Slim” song captioning it:

“Hey Jay-Z ‘If it’s not directly directed at me then I don’t respect it.!’ Isn’t these your words, fraud! The King of Subliminal’s. Your whole life is a lie.”

Choke then went on to call Jay Z a fake follower of Islam and claimed that his verse was ghostwritten by Sauce Money, writing:

“Now you got a Gat AND YOU BRAZY! N*gga Stop! Who Blooded you in? Now you a Muslim Blood. What you got the bandanna over the Kufi? Hova The Hypercrit(e)! Y’all young niggaz better keep this nigga out the studio with y’all. Y’all got this n*gga talking like he active now. He really thinks he the Big Homey. I know you took over L.A. so what now you Suge? (Shonuff in the Last Dragon voice nigga pleassssee). Hey @darealsaucemoney Sauce are you Pen? A subliminal name for Ghostwriter? Sounds like it to me. On my song ‘They Got To You’ I say Jay-Z sold his soul. This nigga said I didn’t sell my soul them niggaz sold their souls to me. Good for y’all dumb n*ggaz. Basically y’all on his d*ck.”

Choke then closed out his caption claiming Drake took his sauce, writing:

“Anyway if that’s all you had for me you better come better. You losing it HOVY Baby! @champagnepapi must of took ya heart doing that video in Marcy. Where’s the Takeover Jay??? You get 2 mics for that weak subliminal diss.”

While Choke No Joke has found a lane and fellowship as an avid YouTuber, Roc Nation and Jay Z are currently combating the coronavirus, gun violence, and more. Check out Choke No Joke’s full response to Jay Z’s “Ghost of Soulja Slim” verse in the Instagram post provided below. 

This week marked the arrival of Jay Electronica's official debut album A Written Testimony. 

The project, while vastly well-received, found itself at the receiving end of some criticism, namely from Peter Rosenberg as the radio host took particular umbrage with Jay's use of the phrase "Synagogue of Satan."

" 'My feet might fail me, my heart might ail me/The synagogues of Satan might accuse or jail me' Not feeling this bar from Jay Electronica and I know I'm not the only person who felt a way about it," penned Rosenberg in a tweet.

It initially seemed rather odd considering the line that he used was featured all the way back in 2014's "Better In Tune With The Infinite." He soon made the correction, admitting that he hadn't realized the phrase was used twice but was actually making reference to the most recent use in Testimony track "Ghost Of Soulja Slim" where Jay raps, "And I bet you a Rothschild I get a bang for my dollar/The synagogue of Satan want me to hang by my collar."

This week marked the arrival of Jay Electronica's official debut album A Written Testimony. 

The project, while vastly well-received, found itself at the receiving end of some criticism, namely from Peter Rosenberg as the radio host took particular umbrage with Jay's use of the phrase "Synagogue of Satan."

" 'My feet might fail me, my heart might ail me/The synagogues of Satan might accuse or jail me' Not feeling this bar from Jay Electronica and I know I'm not the only person who felt a way about it," penned Rosenberg in a tweet.

It initially seemed rather odd considering the line that he used was featured all the way back in 2014's "Better In Tune With The Infinite." He soon made the correction, admitting that he hadn't realized the phrase was used twice but was actually making reference to the most recent use in Testimony track "Ghost Of Soulja Slim" where Jay raps, "And I bet you a Rothschild I get a bang for my dollar/The synagogue of Satan want me to hang by my collar."

Last night marked the arrival of Jay Electronica‘s A Written Testimony, an album many have been unofficially dubbing Watch The Throne 2 over its heavy Jay-Z presence. And while there have been many opinions shared about the long-awaited album, some of the biggest impact arrived by way of the powerful closer “A.P.I.D.T.A.”

A melancholic and emotional dedication to Jay Electronica’s late mother, the opening moments are evident within the song’s opening guitar riff. “I can’t stop my mind from racing, I got numbers on my phone, pictures on my phone,” raps Electronica, in the song’s emotional climax. “The day my mama died, I scrolled her texts all day long. The physical returns but the connection still stay strong, now I understand why you used to cry sometimes we ride down Claybourne /  You just missed your–you just missed your mama / Now I just miss my mamas.” 

And while there’s no direct correlation, it was recently revealed during a livestream listening event that the song was recorded on the same night that Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and seven other passengers passed away in a tragic helicopter crash. It’s uncertain whether the somber news, which seemed to settle over the entire nation when it occurred, had any effect on Jay Electronica’s studio session. But given the fact that somber bit of tri was mentioned to begin with, it’s entirely possible that the additional sorrow bled into Jay’s creativity.

Check out the song above, as well as the revelation made in the live-stream clip below. Is “A.P.I.D.T.A” the most powerful track on A Written Testimony?