The song, produced by Just Blaze, samples Billy Stewart's "Cross My Heart".[2] Jay has stated that the song was produced in only 15 minutes for the purpose of premiering a new song on Angela Yee's show on Shade 45.[3] The lyrics reference a time when Jay was homeless in New York City. Despite not having an album or major label support, the song received airplay on stations like WQHT.[2][4] Beginning in 2021, the explicit version of the song has been replaced with the radio edit across most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, and Apple Music. The EP cover art is a tinted photograph of inventor Nikola Tesla sitting in the Colorado Springs experimental station with his "Magnifying Transmitter".
The song has received rave reviews from critics. NME said, "'Exhibit C' is the most accomplished piece of 'conscious rap' this millennium — perhaps ever."[9] Shaheem Reid of MTV.com said it "is one of those special hip-hop records that you hear and instantly love."[3] Wes Flexner of The Other Paper says the song "has created a feeling that hasn't existed since Common Sense's 1994 single 'I Used to Love H.E.R.' Both songs make everyone, regardless of their current role in life, remember why they fell in love with hip-hop."[10] Henry Adaso of About.com called "Exhibit C" the best rap song of 2009, saying it "embodies everything people admire about Jay Electronica — a combo of compelling confessionals and convincing boasts, delivered in a charismatic manner."[11] On July 25, 2010 MTV2's Sucker Free Summit award show awarded "Exhibit C" with the Instant Classic Award.[12] On April 22, 2013 Complex also gave the track the top spot on their "30 Most Lyrical Rap Songs of the Past 5 Years," calling the cut "a magical moment—one he nor any other rapper in the past five years could top."[13]
