About Jean Grae
Tsidi Ibrahim (born November 26, 1976), known professionally as Jean Grae, is a South African-born American musician and writer. She emerged in New York City's underground hip-hop scene and developed an international following. Throughout her music career, her distinctive style and lyricism gained recognition, with artists such as Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, and Black Thought of 'The Roots' expressing admiration for her work. == Early life == Jean Grae was born Tsidi Ibrahim, in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 26, 1976. The child of South African jazz musicians Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim, Grae was raised in The Hotel Chelsea, Manhattan where the family moved after her birth. Grae studied vocal performance at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, before briefly studying music business at New York University. == Career == === 1996–1998: Career beginnings === Grae joined a hip hop group called Natural Resource along with rapper Ocean and disc jockey James "AGGIE" Barrett. In 1996, they released two 12-inch singles on their label, Makin' Records. They appeared on singles by Pumpkinhead and Bad Seed, as well as on the O.B.S. (Original Blunted Soldiers) double 12-inch single. She produced much of the material released under pseudonym "Run Run Shaw".
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.