Jeru The Damaja

Jeru the Damaja came out of Brooklyn in the mid-1990s with a raw, thoughtful approach to hip-hop. His debut album 'The Sun Rises in the East' arrived in 1994, followed by 'Wrath of the Math' two years later. Songs like 'Can't Stop the Prophet' and 'Me or the Papes' showed his willingness to tackle social issues head-on, sometimes drawing criticism for their directness.

That sound mixed hip-hop with elements of jazz and Afrobeat, giving his music a distinct texture. Later albums included 'Divine Design' in 2003 and 'It's Not a Rumour' in 2019.

Jeru's lyrics often focused on injustice and the realities of urban life, delivered with an uncompromising edge. Tracks like 'Too Perverted' and 'Verses of Doom' continued this approach, maintaining his reputation for straightforward, socially conscious rap without much polish or commercial compromise.