Revelation 2:9 reads, “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” While our inclination is probably to associate the word “synagogue” here with Judaism, the Greek word from which it stems is more akin to “assembly” and, at the time it was written, referred to Jew and Gentile alike.įarrakhan has frequently used the phrase “synagogue of Satan.” His intentions are more obvious, considering his well-documented anti-Semitism. The phrase originates in the New Testament. “Synagogue of Satan” is the lyric that really sent some reeling, and understandably so. There’s definitely a double entendre here, and a cheeky one at that. However, it helps to know that Electronica had an extramarital affair with the heiress Kate Rothschild, his former manager, and is rumored to be responsible for the breakup of her marriage. I don’t doubt the Rothschild name is alluding to the conspiracies marking the family as a symbol of absolute affluence and power, given the context within the song and themes of wealth throughout the album. Reisa: Let’s start with the first line, which, like most good rap lyrics, I sense has multiple layers. On the song “Ghost of Souja Slim,” Electronica raps, “And I bet you a Rothschild I get a bang for my dollar / The Synagogue of Satan want me to hang by my collar.” Why might he be referencing the Rothschilds, a family that has historically been the target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and what is the phrase “Synagogue of Satan?” That and some alarming lyrics carry connotations of anti-Semitism.Īndrew: Let’s talk about those lyrics. Islamic themes and Arabic phrases run throughout The Biblical analogies began before the album even came out, with Electronica announcing it had been “recorded over 40 days and 40 nights,” exactly 40 days before releasing it.Įlectronica is also a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI), and the album includes samples of speeches delivered by the movement’s notorious anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan. He refers to his autobiography as “Quranic,” while Jay-Z says he’s “here to deliver you like Moses.” The pair skillfully volley about the material and spiritual wealth they possess, and the struggles they went through to amass it. Through witty wordplay Electronica acknowledges some of his mortal flaws, while frequently likening himself to a sonic prophet delivering messages of revelation and upward mobility to his people. The raps on A Written Testimony are clever, the rhyme schemes complex and the beats compelling. Jay Electronica’s “A Written Testmimony” album cover. There’s also a local connection: Detroit rapper Denaun Porter is a longtime collaborator of Electronica’s. He only just released his first studio album, A Written Testimony, in March. He independently put out his first release, Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), on MySpace in 2007, and signed on to Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, in 2010. Reisa: Thank you for inviting me to tackle this subject with you. Jay Electronica is a hip-hop artist originally from New Orleans, where he grew up in the Magnolia Projects. Who is Jay Electronica, and what is the buzz and controversy surrounding A Written Testimony? Michelle SheridanĪndrew: Reisa, thanks for joining me. JN Editor Andrew Lapin discussed these issues with Detroit-based music writer Reisa Shanaman, a graduate of Frankel Jewish Academy and Michigan State University who writes about modern music for VICE, XLR8R and other outlets. But it’s also been criticized for lyrics and content that hint at possible anti-Semitism. The album, which features Jay-Z on eight of the 10 tracks, received wide praise in the music world. Th is March, rapper Jay Electronica released his debut studio album, A Written Testimony. Jewish News editor Andrew Lapin also contributed to this article What’s in ‘A Written Testimony’? (Photo: DPhillipsRN, used via Creative Commons)
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