Jean Grae Criticizes New York Times Article Regarding Female Rappers

Jean Grae criticized a New York Times article by Jon Caramanica titled “For Female Rappers, Steadiest Gigs Are on TV” yesterday (August 11).

In the article, Caramanica writes about various female rappers who have succeeded over the years. “From the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, female Rap thrived, relatively speaking: Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, who were all stylistically distinct and sold millions of albums during those years,” he says. “But to find a critical mass of female rappers in 2014, you have to turn to another industry: reality television.”

Grae responded to this article with a variety of Twitter posts. Many of them are as follows:

No they’re not. Do whatever you want. RT @nytimes: For female rappers, the steadiest gigs are in reality TV http://t.co/gDx5BR8EE2”
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

.@nytimes Stop it.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

.@nytimes Seriously, that is absolutely infuriating. Come on.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

When Jean Grae found out Jon Caramanica wrote the article, she responded to him directly.

Jon wrote it?!? Dammit. Dammit @joncaramanica JOOONNNNNNNN NO. No. No. No. No. In Spanish: NO.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

Was enough of a jail to be told how far I’d go in rap. Now it’s a jail for transitioning? FOH. I do what I want. You can too. Limitless.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

The steady gigs are wherever you desire to put your passion and hard work into. Create your own if you want. Don’t believe the hype.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

If y’all need someone to remind you every damn day that there is no glass ceiling, then I’ll do it.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

Don’t worry, ladies. If rap doesn’t work out, you can be a secretary. Or a candy striper! Smh. Worst fucking Career Day ever. @nytimes Boo.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

Honestly, it’s not just for ladies. Or rap. I started the day out telling you ALL how worthy of life and greatness you are. All applies.
— Jean STFU Grae (@JeanGreasy) August 12, 2014

Beyond releasing music, Jean Grae has also worked on her own web-based sitcom, Life With Jeanie, in the last two years.