Just Blaze Talks T.I., Jay Electronica Delays

Just Blaze tells the Hypemen what's really holding up T.I's "King Uncaged" and Jay Electronica's "Act II."

T.I.'s King Uncaged and Jay Electronica's Act II were originally two of the more hyped releases expected in 2010, and Just Blaze may lend his production talents to both albums. Prior to his most recent legal trouble, Tip targeted September 28 as his album release date. But Just Blaze said, T.I.'s issues with the law are not necessarily to blame for the multiple delays of his album.

"The crazy thing about Tip is that when he got out of jail he went into the studio and literally recorded 70 songs in a matter of months," Just told Eric and Jeff Rosenthal and Jensen Carp during an appearance on their Hypemen podcast. "We had a conversation where he was like, 'Yo, I've rapped and said so much, I'm trying to figure out which way to move next.'"

Just contrasted T.I.'s recording process to Jay-Z's method during The Blueprint, which he had a hand in producing. "[T.I.] has such a wide range of really good street records, introspective records and a couple of smash singles. But when you've got 20 of each type, it's hard to pick which ones to run with."

Meanwhile, Just Blaze thinks Jay Electronica's delays may have more to do with adjusting to the industry and his fan's expectations--something that Jay himself hinted at on Twitter.

Just Blaze did hint at a new release "coming sooner rather than later," reminding fans that there was no anticipation or build up to "Exhibit C."

"I say this with all the brotherly love in the world in regards to him; you have to remember this guy was literally homeless when I met him," Just Blaze explained. "It takes some adjusting to go from sleeping on a train to having the hottest record of the year. He was always used to operating on his own schedule, and all of a sudden you have a responsibility to fans, media and to your friends and the people who have been there for you. It messes with your head, and everyone has to handle it differently."

The full Hypemen podcasts features Just Blaze giving his thoughts about working with the Diplomats, the Roc-a-fella split and his work in the video game industry. It can be streamed or downloaded via the Hypemen Tumblr feed.
-Omar Burgess