| "Exhibit C" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Jay Electronica | ||||
| Released | December 22, 2009 | |||
| Format | Digital download | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 5:31 | |||
| Label | Control Freaq Records, Decon Media, Inc. | |||
| Producer | Just Blaze | |||
| Jay Electronica singles chronology | ||||
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"Exhibit C" is a single by American rap artist Jay Electronica released to iTunes on December 22, 2009,[1] as an EP with explicit, clean and instrumental versions.
Contents |
The song, produced by Just Blaze, samples Billy Stewart's "Cross My Heart".[2] Jay has stated that the song was produced in only 15 minutes for the purpose of premiering a new song on Angela Yee's show on Shade 45.[3] The lyrics reference a time when Jay was homeless in New York. Despite not having an album or major label support, the song received airplay on stations like WQHT.[2][4] The EP cover is a tinted photograph of inventor Nikola Tesla sitting with his magnifying transmitter.
The instrumental became very popular among hip-hop artists, with several rappers such as Fabolous,[5] Cassidy, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Bobby Creekwater, AZ (rapper), N.O.R.E., Saigon, Charles Hamilton, B.o.B, Childish Gambino, Twista, Papoose, Game, Lil B, Cashis[6] and Big K.R.I.T.[7] recording their own versions of the song.[3] Mos Def has performed the song live.[8]
The song has received a very positive reception from critics.
NME said, "'Exhibit C' is the most accomplished piece of 'conscious rap' this millennium — perhaps ever."[9]
Shaheem Reid of MTV.com said it "is one of those special hip-hop records that you hear and instantly love."[3]
Wes Flexner of The Other Paper says the song "has created a feeling that hasn't existed since Common Sense's 1994 single 'I Used to Love H.E.R.' Both songs make everyone, regardless of their current role in life, remember why they fell in love with hip-hop."[10]
Henry Adaso of About.com called "Exhibit C" the best rap song of 2009, saying it "embodies everything people admire about Jay Electronica — a combo of compelling confessionals and convincing boasts, delivered in a charismatic manner."[11]
On July 25, 2010 MTV2's Sucker Free Summit award show awarded "Exhibit C" with the Instant Classic Award.[12]
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[13] | 86 |