Jeru the Damaja
Encyclopedia
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja (born February 14, 1972) is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru
and DJ Premier
of Gang Starr
, whom he has known since high school.
as a youth. He first showcased his hardcore Brooklyn style to audiences on "I'm the Man," a track from Gang Starr's 1992 album Daily Operation
. The following year he released his first single, "Come Clean," which was produced by DJ Premier and became an instant underground hit.
His first album, The Sun Rises in the East
, was released in 1994 and produced entirely by DJ Premier. The album was well-received but Jeru was criticized by the Fugees
for his lyrics, particularly for the song "Da Bitchez". Fugees member Pras
lightly mentioned Jeru on the track "Zealots," from the group's landmark 1996 album The Score
, with the line "No matter who you damage, you're still a false prophet," referencing Jeru's single "You Can't Stop the Prophet." Jeru responded lightly in the intro of the track "Me or the Papes" and also on the track "Black Cowboys."
Jeru followed up in 1996 with his second album. Wrath of the Math
, again produced solely by DJ Premier. The album was also widely acclaimed, although not on the same level as his debut. Like on his first album, Jeru was accusatory of commercial hip hop artists and record labels such as Death Row Records
and Bad Boy Entertainment, which he criticized on the concept track "One Day." After the release of Math, Jeru reportedly had a falling-out with DJ Premier and Guru
(however, Jeru has dismissed this and claimed that they wanted to go in different directions), and was missing from the scene until 1999, when he released his third album, Heroz4Hire
, released together with Mizmarvel, which was his first album without production from DJ Premier and also his first under his then-newly created KnowSavage Records. It featured the single "99.9 Pa Cent," which was a verbal attack on his former affiliates Gang Starr. The album was less critically acclaimed than his last. In 1999, he collaborated with the Spanish hip hop group Violadores del Verso
in the track "Solo quedar consuelo."
His next album, Divine Design
, released in 2003, was the first album under his new record label, Ashenafi Records. The album received little attention and mixed reviews. The latest Jeru album, titled Still Rising
, was released on October 16, 2007. On April 2, 2007, during a La Coka Nostra
concert at the Gramercy Theatre in New York, Jeru the Damaja came out for a surprise appearance to perform his song "D Original".
In 2009 Jeru started to collborate with Drum & Bass Producers. In 2009, he is featured on Kabuki's track "Watch Your Step.", produced by Mainframe. Jeru also collaborated with Group Home in 2010 for a song dedicated to the late rapper Guru. The song is titled "G.U.R.U.". Recently Jeru confirmed he will drop a new album in 2011 with production from 90's legends JuJu
, Pete Rock
, Large Professor
& old time collaborator (their problems since reconciled) DJ Premier
.
In 2011 Jeru The Damaja featured in the song "Oddałbym" on the album "Reedukacja" of Polish hip-hop group Slums Attack (Peja, Dj Decks). In addition to Jeru The Damaja, a Polish rap star O.S.T.R.
also featured. The album was a great success in Poland, and sold out in the first couple of days.
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
and DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
of Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
, whom he has known since high school.
Biography
Jeru the Damaja was born February 14, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, and spent his early years in that borough's East New York neighborhood, where he began rhyming at block partiesBlock party
A block party is a large public party in which many members of a single neighbourhood congregate, either to observe an event of some importance or simply for mutual enjoyment. The name comes from the form of the party, which often involves closing an entire city block to vehicle traffic...
as a youth. He first showcased his hardcore Brooklyn style to audiences on "I'm the Man," a track from Gang Starr's 1992 album Daily Operation
Daily Operation
Daily Operation is a 1992 album by Gang Starr. The album represents the gritty sound of early 1990s Brooklyn hip-hop.Guru rhymes on a variety of subjects, from the hypocrisy of the government, pro-Black rights and anti-prejudice, to his intellectual depth on "2 Deep," to his penchant for smoking...
. The following year he released his first single, "Come Clean," which was produced by DJ Premier and became an instant underground hit.
His first album, The Sun Rises in the East
The Sun Rises in the East
The Sun Rises in the East is the debut album of American hip hop rapper Jeru the Damaja, released May 24, 1994 on PayDay Records. Production on the album was handled by legendary hip hop producer DJ Premier. The album features fellow Gang Starr Foundation member Afu-Ra...
, was released in 1994 and produced entirely by DJ Premier. The album was well-received but Jeru was criticized by the Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
for his lyrics, particularly for the song "Da Bitchez". Fugees member Pras
Pras
Prakazrel Samuel Michel, known as Pras, is a Grammy Award-winning Haitian-American rapper, actor, film producer, and member of the hip hop trio The Fugees.-Early life:...
lightly mentioned Jeru on the track "Zealots," from the group's landmark 1996 album The Score
The Score (album)
The Score is the second and final studio album by the hip hop trio Fugees, released worldwide February 13, 1996 on Columbia Records. The album features a wide range of samples and instrumentation, with many aspects of alternative hip hop that would come to dominate the hip hop music scene in the...
, with the line "No matter who you damage, you're still a false prophet," referencing Jeru's single "You Can't Stop the Prophet." Jeru responded lightly in the intro of the track "Me or the Papes" and also on the track "Black Cowboys."
Jeru followed up in 1996 with his second album. Wrath of the Math
Wrath of the Math
Wrath of the Math is the second album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja.- Album information :The album was completely produced by DJ Premier and continues the themes of Afrocentricity, preserving hip-hop culture, and more about the harms of materialism that were discussed on The Sun Rises in the...
, again produced solely by DJ Premier. The album was also widely acclaimed, although not on the same level as his debut. Like on his first album, Jeru was accusatory of commercial hip hop artists and record labels such as Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
and Bad Boy Entertainment, which he criticized on the concept track "One Day." After the release of Math, Jeru reportedly had a falling-out with DJ Premier and Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
(however, Jeru has dismissed this and claimed that they wanted to go in different directions), and was missing from the scene until 1999, when he released his third album, Heroz4Hire
Heroz4Hire
Heroz4Hire is the third album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is entirely produced by Jeru the Damaja himself unlike his first two albums which were produced by DJ Premier.-Album information:...
, released together with Mizmarvel, which was his first album without production from DJ Premier and also his first under his then-newly created KnowSavage Records. It featured the single "99.9 Pa Cent," which was a verbal attack on his former affiliates Gang Starr. The album was less critically acclaimed than his last. In 1999, he collaborated with the Spanish hip hop group Violadores del Verso
Violadores del Verso
Violadores del Verso , also known as Doble V, are a rap music crew from Zaragoza, Spain. They used the name Doble V but were forced to return to their original long name, due to legal problems...
in the track "Solo quedar consuelo."
His next album, Divine Design
Divine Design (album)
Divine Design is the fourth album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is produced by Ed Dantez and Luis "Sabor" Tineo as opposed Jeru's earlier albums which were produced by DJ Premier and Jeru himself.-Album information:...
, released in 2003, was the first album under his new record label, Ashenafi Records. The album received little attention and mixed reviews. The latest Jeru album, titled Still Rising
Still Rising
Still Rising is a hip hop album by Jeru the Damaja released on October 16, 2007. The album cover is based on the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute.The intro track is a direct quote from the Fullmetal Alchemist "law of Equivalent Exchange"...
, was released on October 16, 2007. On April 2, 2007, during a La Coka Nostra
La Coka Nostra
La Coka Nostra is an American hip hop group composed of Everlast, DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, Ill Bill and Slaine.- Biography :Founded in late 2005 with no intention to record an album, La Coka Nostra was more a loose collective of artists connected through Danny Boy than a group...
concert at the Gramercy Theatre in New York, Jeru the Damaja came out for a surprise appearance to perform his song "D Original".
In 2009 Jeru started to collborate with Drum & Bass Producers. In 2009, he is featured on Kabuki's track "Watch Your Step.", produced by Mainframe. Jeru also collaborated with Group Home in 2010 for a song dedicated to the late rapper Guru. The song is titled "G.U.R.U.". Recently Jeru confirmed he will drop a new album in 2011 with production from 90's legends JuJu
Juju
A Juju is a supernatural power ascribed to an object.Juju may also refer to:-Geography:* Juju , one of seven districts on the island of Rotuma in Fiji* Juju , a village in the district of Juju on the island of Rotuma-Albums:...
, Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
, Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
& old time collaborator (their problems since reconciled) DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
.
In 2011 Jeru The Damaja featured in the song "Oddałbym" on the album "Reedukacja" of Polish hip-hop group Slums Attack (Peja, Dj Decks). In addition to Jeru The Damaja, a Polish rap star O.S.T.R.
O.S.T.R.
Adam Ostrowski , better known as O.S.T.R., is one of the most renowned rappers in Poland. Famous for his freestyle rap skills, O.S.T.R. in his works touches on various topics, from joint smoking to current social and political matters. He has been working for the MTV channel. Having graduated music...
also featured. The album was a great success in Poland, and sold out in the first couple of days.
Discography
| Album information |
|---|
| The Sun Rises in the East The Sun Rises in the East The Sun Rises in the East is the debut album of American hip hop rapper Jeru the Damaja, released May 24, 1994 on PayDay Records. Production on the album was handled by legendary hip hop producer DJ Premier. The album features fellow Gang Starr Foundation member Afu-Ra...
|
| Wrath of the Math Wrath of the Math Wrath of the Math is the second album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja.- Album information :The album was completely produced by DJ Premier and continues the themes of Afrocentricity, preserving hip-hop culture, and more about the harms of materialism that were discussed on The Sun Rises in the... |
| Heroz4Hire Heroz4Hire Heroz4Hire is the third album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is entirely produced by Jeru the Damaja himself unlike his first two albums which were produced by DJ Premier.-Album information:... |
| Divine Design Divine Design (album) Divine Design is the fourth album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja. It is produced by Ed Dantez and Luis "Sabor" Tineo as opposed Jeru's earlier albums which were produced by DJ Premier and Jeru himself.-Album information:... |
| Still Rising Still Rising Still Rising is a hip hop album by Jeru the Damaja released on October 16, 2007. The album cover is based on the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute.The intro track is a direct quote from the Fullmetal Alchemist "law of Equivalent Exchange"... |
External links
- Interview on Divine Design from The Situation
- Myspace of Jeru The Damaja
- "Interview with Neil Acharya" at Exclaim!Exclaim!Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
- Jeru The Damaja Collection (All non-album tracks and guest appearances)