Jay Electronica | |
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![]() Jay Electronica performing in 2014 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Timothy Elpadaro Thedford[1] |
Also known as | Je'Ri |
Born | [2] New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | September 19, 1976
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
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Works | |
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels |
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Children | 1 |
Website | awrittentestimony |
Elpadaro F. Electronica Allah[3][4] (born Timothy Elpadaro Thedford; September 19, 1976), known professionally as Jay Electronica (stylized as J A Y E L E C T R O N I C A), is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in New Orleans, he first saw recognition with release of his mixtape, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge) (2007). Its success, along with his standalone single "Exhibit C", led New York rapper Jay-Z to sign Electronica to his record label, Roc Nation by 2010 following a multi-label bidding war. His debut studio album, A Written Testimony (2020) was met with critical acclaim and entered the Billboard 200 at number 12; it was followed by his second album, Act II: The Patents of Nobility (The Turn) (2020) in October of that same year. His guest performance on Kanye West's 2021 song "Jesus Lord" marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]