Jean Grae is one of the greatest underground rappers in America. But even after recording with the Roots, Talib Kweli and the Herbaliser, she has all but given up on the industry. Now, with another album she calls "unauthorised" being released September 30, she is going mercenary, offering her flow to anyone, anywhere, who can afford a few hundred quid. And she's doing it via Craigslist.
"So, the economy sucks," she wrote in an ad on the US classifieds website (similar to UK site Gumtree). "I figure, if everyone's gonna make money offa me, why not make it directly and directly to the people who really love this shit anyway. Out the hands of big business, straight to you."
Grae is offering to record 16 bars of rap for $800 (£430), with shorter or longer bits - intros, outros and hooks - also available. "Once you got it, you got it," Grae assures readers. "[I'm] not looking for any extra publishing or anything."
Are you a garage band from Leeds that wants some New York cred? A Mercury-nominated rock band needing a little extra oomph? Or maybe you just have novel plans for a birthday card... No matter the rationale, this is your chance.
Grae will begin work as soon as she receives payments - either by Western Union or direct deposit. "I work fast, so you'll have 'em fast," she wrote. And you don't need to be some poncey label exec to take advantage. All you need is a CD, an envelope and some stamps:
"So ... you got beats?? CDs?? envelopes?? yousendit?? protools? Whatever you got I'll try and find a way to work with it."
Despite being one of America's most acclaimed underground rappers, industry headaches have kept Grae in relative obscurity. But this isn't a publicity stunt, Grae said - it's a chance to make new connections. She's interested in meeting new producers and MCs, in "working with people who love doing this and don't get enough shine."
"Plus," she wrote, "I like money just coming to me."
