This Week
LikeBahamadiabefore her, Jean Grae carries the burden of being way too clever a "femcee" for the music business to behold. (For dumbed-down rhymes, go toGangsta Boo.) When Grae's in battle-rap mode, her vocal clarity and lyrical dexterity remind one ofJay-Z. However, the relationship-focused confessionals elicit an even greater response because they're so darn honest. "Give It Up" or "P.S." sound like profound Emily Dickinson love poems read with a contemporary New York 'hood twist. Grae has always needed to find equally ambitious beats to match her fiery flows, and this time around she's inched a bit closer to that ideal. Some of 9th Wonder's dirty beats (like "Don't Rush Me") may help her win over slightly larger audiences, but even she admits that her "flow don't make appropriate wealth." Of course, if sales reflected skills,This Weekwould blow up and Grae would be sitting pretty next toP Diddy.--Dalton Higgins