The Sun Rises In The East

Performer: Jeru the Damaja
Engineer: Eddie Sancho
Producer: Kendrick Jeru Davis; DJ Premier
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Jeru The Damaja (rap). Recorded at D&D Recording Studio, New York, New York. As the title indicates, THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST is one of a handful of albums (also including Nas' ILLMATIC, Mobb Deep's INFAMOUS, and Black Moon's ENTA DA STAGE) that put the East Coast back on the hiphop map. West Coasters Dr. Dre and Snoop had stolen the spotlight with THE CHRONIC back in the summer of 1992. Jeru helped to usher in a renaissance of true-school rap. SUN was entirely produced by hardcore composer DJ Premier, and the album represents his finest work. The beats themselves are nothing short of mindblowing. Shelly Manne's waterphones ("Come Clean") and the off-kilter piano loop on "D.Original" are worked into soundscapes worthy of Philip Glass or Steve Reich without any compromise of the music's ineluctable street appeal. In contrast to other Premier undertakings--where sterling production languishes beneath mediocre or inconsistent vocals--Jeru matches the producer in quality. His rhymes are at once simple and complex, employing an offbeat cadence and a compelling narrative flow. Even the ostensibly misogynistic "Da Bichez" breaks the mold, showing love to the queens and young ladies who defy the titular epithet.

The Source (8/94, p.86) - 4 Stars - Slammin' - "...the music both contrasts and compliments his disjointed flow and deep poetical lyricism..." Melody Maker (8/13/94, p.33) - Bloody Essential - "...hypnotic and chilling as a blues party on Pluto...Another step forward for hip hop..." NME (Magazine) (6/18/94, p.34) - 7 - Very Good - "...Jeru is more original than most...there are delights aplenty here..."

The Brooklyn MC's first appearance came on Gang Starr Posse cut "I'm the Man" in 1992. A year later, Jeru's Premier-produced debut single, "Come Clean," was a certified East Coast anthem with its unmistakable marimba-driven beat and anti-gangsta content. The Jeru/Premier combo proved formidable on 1994's THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST--solidifying the lyricist's reputation as the foremost conscious rapper of the day. In 1996, the two re-teamed to release THE WRATH OF THE MATH--once again taking on the player mentality that had pervaded East Coast hip-hop. After breaking with the Gang Starr Foundation, Jeru went on to release a string of solo LPs through his own labels to less fanfare

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