As a woman in a predominantly male-driven arena, some might think that Jamie “Jay Mf G” Gugino is playing with fire. But when you’ve got her kind of credentials, who could blame the femcee for walking straight into the flames? Jay G is a revolutionary, a mother, a student, a chef, and a self-published author. She’s also one hell of a lyricist, packing just as much force as her male counterparts on any given day. As the female stand-out of Essential Vitamins Crew and the only real feminist voice representing the local underground hip hop scene, Jay G proves she is the true first lady femcee of Buffalo hip hop. She has gathered all of the brilliant facets of herself that give truth to this under her first official LP, Food for Thought, a project that took two years of planning and producing to complete.

On this project, Jay G dishes out a mouthwatering collection of masterpieces inspired by her Sicilian roots and the traditional 8-course Italian meal. She starts with the savory “Sauce on SunJay,” a track with cuts complimentary of DJ Optimus Prime and Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message.” In it, the femcee delivers her own message, a constructive critique on the state of today, through swift cadence changes and a call out on “idiotic ideologies.” Next she dips into the “Duck Sauce” featuring Keith Concept. Concept humbles those living the wack MC lifestyle by serving them up a raw platter of “vagina meat,” while Jay G throws a flaming pile of “my shit don’t stink” in the faces of haters everywhere. The pair boasts a tenacious spirit and a tag team lyrical approach, proving they have nothing to hide in this game. 

And just when you thought you were full, love comes to bite you in the ass in “Burnt Toast,” a menu item that comes with a side of lies and a glass of “fuck you.” The lady MC attacks with venom in this frightfully scrumptious treat produced by EVC’s Cove Blackbelt, steering us through the trials and tribulations of a tumultuous relationship. It’s a track any woman could feel the fury of and also feel devilishly empowered by. Lastly, we get served some steaming hot “Va Fangool & Pasta Fagioli” featuring Legal the Lifesaver, a rap rock dedication beat that tantalizes the taste buds in every way.

This album is unapologetic, intelligent, fearless, and audacious, just as every woman should be. You don’t have to dumb down, sell out, or put out to get anywhere in life—especially as a woman in hip hop, and Jay G is proof of that.
 

Happy hip hop holidays! Here's some fresh, festive beats to brighten your spirits on Christmas day, brought to you by Cove BlackBelt of Essential Vitamins Crew, along with the best selection of home-grown hip hop that Buffalo has to offer: L-Biz, Frank Cross aka Scrooge, Legal the Lifesaver, Clark Griswald, Jay MF G, Linus Van Pelt, Goodman Brown, Lucy Van Pelt, Specill K, Mic Excel, Scroeder, DJ Optimus Prime, and the Vince Guaraldi Trio.