tofa's Full Review: The Sun Rises in the East by Jeru the Damaja
Jeru the Damaja. To many the name may seem foreign to them, but to true hip hop fans, he is a very respected MC. Back in '94, Jeru dropped the classic LP " The Sun Rises in the East " which would go on to be one of Hip Hop's finest album. Thanks to DJ Premier of Gangstarr providing all the beats (YAYYYY!), you know this was going to be dope. Here's a rundown of the tracks:
Intro (Life): When an album starts out with the line " Life is the result between dynamic opposites ", prepare to be amazed by the album. Over a hard drum loop, Jeru does a spoken word piece for 50 seconds. (10/10)
D. Original : Starting with some hard hitting snares, the song kicks into some scratching of Guru of Gangstarr saying " Dirty Rotton Scoundrel " and a very disorganized off-key piano chord. Though that may sound unpleasant, it comes of quite nicely. Lyrically a braggadicio track, Jeru explains why he is the original " Dirty Rotten Scoundrel ". Using the scrathcing of Guru's voice as the hook, this song was a good choice as a single. (10/10)
Brooklyn Took It : It's funny how DJ Premier can take a diss to his hometown (Brooklyn) and change it into a sorta triumphet line for it. Using the infamous line by KRS-One from the classic diss " The Bridge is Over" which is " Brooklyn Keeps on taking it " Jeru reps for Brooklyn for the fullest. Usually regarded as the worst song on the album, I disagree fully. Lyrically, Jeru flows the best he could over a simple drum loop and some quick light piano keys, making this song one of my favorites of the album. (10/10)
Perverted Monks in the House (Skit) : A Skit with Jeru claiming the Perverted Monks are in the house. Very nice beat in the back also. (N/A)
Mental Stamina : Afu-Ra joins Jeru on this headache-starting track. When they mean mental stamina, they mean MENTAL STAMINA. Using some of the best vocabulary on any song ever recorded, Jeru and Afu trade rhymes over some nice drums and an echoing perl drop. Depending on if you actually know these words, determines who outshines who. I'm not going to say who. (10/10)
Da Bichez : Starting with some pounding drums and moving into a nice saxophone loop for the hook, Jeru explains the difference between a strong black woman and a b----. To Jeru, a b---- is explained (in this song) as a prositute or a woman who uses her sexual abilities to get what she wants. I don't know why this song was viewed son wrongly when over on the west coast, they were making albums off of viewing women in vulgar ways. (10/10)
You Can't Stop the Prophet : A very fun track in the form of a comic book type storytelling mode, Jeru goes on around Brooklyn battling his arch nemesis, Mr. Ignorance and his crew of thugs, Hatred, Jealousy, Envy and with his wife Despair. Corny topic but this is one of the best (if not the best) songs on the album. Jeru occupies the title of the " Black Prophet " and does a great job trying to go creative. And it works! The beat is a futuristic feel, adding diversity to the album. (10/10)
Perverted Monks in the House (Theme) : The beat from Perverted Monks in the House (Skit). It would have been crazy if Jeru rapped on this. (N/A)
Ain't the Devil Happy : Classic. Over a hard bumping drum beat and a space-like sounding piano chord, Jeru explains that when the black on black violence occurs or when another african american gets on drugs, The Devil (at the time the White Man) benefits from it. Using that devilish laugh from RZA on the track " Tearz " from Wu-Tang's debut album (get that as soon as possible!) for the hook, this song is a very conscience song to the black community. (10/10)
My Mind Spray : Lyrically the best song on the album (excluding Mental Stamina if you can understand what they're saying). Jeru comes equipped with some stunning lyrics over some dreamy keys courtesy of DJ Premier. Using a sample from the next track, this is a very strong track to just zone out and listen to. (10/10)
Come Clean : Masterpiece. The reason I bought this album. Using a xylophone loop (or as it's referred to a water dripping on pipes ) and a HARD head nodding drum loop (or as it is referred to a hammer banging on pipes), this song proves to be Jeru's best known (and rightfully song). Actually this song is actually one huge diss to the West Coast rap scene at the time, dissing the whole gangsta persona all of them seemed to have. Also Jeru's first single. If you haven't heard it, you NEED to. (10/10)
Jungle Music : Occupying a animal sounds for the beginning, Jeru (over another HARD drum loop and a jazzy vibe feel) explains that the MAN stole black music, exploited it, and called it Jungle Music. He says that thanks to commercialism, that hip hop (or jazz, rock 'n' roll, soul, r'n'b or any black oriented music for that matter) has been forced to appeal to the mainstream white audience in order for the MAN to get more money in his pocket. (10/10)
Statik : Very unique production. Using a harsh drum loop and static (yes, STATIC, hence the title). Simply a braggadicio track but still worth checking out for the lyrics alone. (10/10)
Thanks to DJ Premier, Jeru's first album was a classic. Though their next collaboration would be good, this one proves to be better.
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