Wrath Of The Math [PA]

Performer: Jeru the Damaja
Engineer: Eddie Sancho; DJ Norty Cotto
Producer: DJ Premier
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: "This album," says the liner notes, "was created to SAVE hip-hop and the minds of people who listen to it." No empty boast, that. For rescue equipment, Jeru The Damaja has the art of the rhyme and the genius beat tactics of DJ Premier. Jeru has an obvious admiration for true hip-hop and the principles upon which it was created, and this follow-up to 1994's auspicious THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST goes a long way toward reinstalling positivity into hip-hop and putting the music back into the hands in which it belongs. Without compromising his own street credibility, Jeru on WRATH OF THE MATH chastises other rappers who glorify gang life or portray playa images with their lyrics. On the clever "One Day," he sets out on a mission to rescue a character named Hip-Hop who has been kidnapped by materialistic MCs. "Ya Playin' Yaself" is a slap at the fake, money-hungry individuals in the rap game, who could learn a thing or two from Jeru. "This album," says the liner notes, "was created to SAVE hip-hop and the minds of people who listen to it." No empty boast, that. For rescue equipment, Jeru The Damaja has the art of the rhyme and the genius beat tactics of DJ Premier. Jeru has an obvious admiration for true hip-hop and the principles upon which it was created, and this follow-up to 1994's auspicious THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST goes a long way toward reinstalling positivity into hip-hop and putting the music back into the hands in which it belongs. Without compromising his own street credibility, Jeru on WRATH OF THE MATH chastises other rappers who glorify gang life or portray playa images with their lyrics. On the clever "One Day," he sets out on a mission to rescue a character named Hip-Hop who has been kidnapped by materialistic MCs. "Ya Playin' Yaself" is a slap at the fake, money-hungry individuals in the rap game, who could learn a thing or two from Jeru.

Entertainment Weekly (1/10/97, p.58) - "...Combined with DJ Premier's head-bobbing minimalist funk, Jeru tells it like it is like no other." - Rating: B+ Vibe (11/96, p.153) - "...Armed with a prophet's sense of social responsibility, Webster's vocab, and the best beats in the business....Jeru's at his best...when he fights playa-ism with its most potent weapon: sharply visual, action-packed narrative..." The Source (12/96, p.126) - 3 Mics - Good - "...Returning with an unabashed intolerance for the artistic moves of some well-known rap figures....Jeru The Damaja proves that his musical compositions are too mentally stimulating to be ignored..." Melody Maker (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #43 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's `Albums Of The Year.' Rap Pages (12/96, p.32) - "...there are still men...amongst the Hip-Hop lot that haven't lost the vim to stand up, say something and mean something....`Ru's displeasure with current excuses for Hip-Hop runs deep....Primo's beats are the amniotic sac that surrounds the MC..."

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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