Though Rolling Stone dubbed Jean Grae "the best kept secret" in New York's independent Hip-Hop scene, the emcee formerly known as What What has been solidifying her spot in the underground for quite some time now. "It's kind of nice. It wasn't that much of a secret." Jean Grae told SOHH.com in regards to Rolling Stone's statement. In preparation for her upcoming debut, Grae took to the stage with Kanye West at New York's SOB's for a hot, jam-packed performance.

After stand out cameos like the all-female posse cut "Estrogen" and Masta Ace's "Hold U," Grae finally blessed heads with her own release last year. Now still fresh off the success of Attack of the Attacking Things, Grae releases her Babygrande Records debut, Bootleg of The Bootleg EP. While she undoubtedly made noise last year, heads often struggled to find her release on the shelves. Yet, with Babygrande backing her, Grae's future releases should be pretty accessible. "It was kind of good that it wasn't that available, but [for Bootleg of The Bootleg] I kind of thought it was time to get it to a bigger audience, the soft spoken emcee explained.

Grae's take on her newest release is as fun and intricate as her rhyme schemes. In fact, Bootleg of The Bootleg EP is an altered version of another longer project she plans to release in the near future. "The singles are not going to be the same as the long version," Grae said via phone in regards to one of the two projects' nuances.

Along with collabos with Cannibal Ox and Pumpkin Head, the CD also features 45 minutes worth of bonus rhymes and freestyles. Grae will also hit the road alongside the aforementioned Can Ox starting October 20 in Boston.

While she isn't stepping out of the Big Apple for another two weeks, the buzz from Grae's show with co-headliner Kanye West at SOB's will undoubtedly take her message to the worldwide masses. The energy from her set pulsated beyond the small venue's walls with anxious heads standing online over a block long to catch a glimpse of the femme fatale's set.

By the time Kanye West stepped on the small stage, the crowd was primed at ready. West wasted no time, running through mixtape favorites such as "Two Words" and his next single, "Self Conscious". Accompanied by John Legend on the keys, the witty lyricist interacted with the crowd as if they were fam and cracked jokes between songs throughout his set. Though West was more than enough to get the crowd moving, concert goers lost their minds when Talib Kweli jumped on stage to perform "Get By." Just as they managed to catch their breath, the crowd got hit by Twista's speed limit dashing delivery. After a few more exclusive verses, Kanye fittingly ended the show with "Through The Wire" as all in the venue sang along and bopped their heads.

Jean Grae' Bootleg of The Bootleg EP hits stores on October 7 while Kanye West's College Dropout drops in February 2004