Jeru the Damaja Review

Rap and hip-hop could be compared to the CTA train system, both are CTA trains but of different lines; although at one point, just like in the loop, they used to ride on the same track. This “separation,” as some see it, did not begin to transpire until the mid-1990’s. This is when hip-hop began to transform into the women disrespecting, materialistic, puffed up, huffed up, braggadocio that is commonly heard. In response, some artists have and still are speaking against the new direction hip-hop has been headed, Jeru The Damaja has been one of them.

Jeru The Damaja’s 2004 release of Divine Design, Kendrick spends good deal of time addressing many of the issues that he sees popular media and mainstream rap creating. However, he is not restricted to simply preaching these things. He melts his opinions and experiences into the music and lets it flow out into the listeners ears. The album constantly references guns and shooting, but with his gun being the microphone and his ammo being his lyrical talent.

Even though some would say Jeru’s style is stuck in the early 90’s, he continues to let the mind tingling, well thought out socio-political songs spewing out of his mouth and onto the tracks. With that, if you look back on his other music you can see that his tone was not as it once was, being a little on the calmer side.

The beats on this album on the other hand, were way to simplistic and bland. In an interview with one Melisa Tang, Kendrick did say he intended for such a back to basics approach, as it might be an addition statement against the modernizing hip hop scene. However it is a different direction then what he has done previously, working with much more catchy, ear appeasing, head bobbing beats. There were some exceptions though, like Whatyagonnado, which made me feel as if I was walking home in the middle of the night thought a shady area.

Hip hop is going down one train track with rap going down a different rail. Jeru Has already chosen a line. Now you are at the station and the train is about to arrive, which train would you prefer to take?