Customer Reviews

Wrath of the Math

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

DJ Premier comes on strong with the hot beats while Jeru hits you with "thoughtful" lyrics. Jeru is one of the few intelligent rappers out. Tracks like "Frustrated Nigga" and "Invasion" expose injustices while "One Day" exposes fakes like P-Diddy taking advantage of hip-hop for wealth. "Me or the Papes" gives details of paper chasing ladies on a nicely chopped piano loop. This album is still in my rotation. Man, I miss the real hip-hop circa 1993-1997.

Any time Premier produces an entire album - it should be a must have. Even if an MC isn't as qualified lyrically, the beats from Primo make it worth having (see: Group Home). In this case however, Jeru matches Premier word-for-beat. Like Guru and Premier, Jeru and Premier should almost be a household name based on their two albums together. Some of the choice cuts - "One Day" is part classic storytelling and part battle rap, "Frustrated..." socially conscious lyrics at their finest, and the first single, "Ya Playin' Yaself" pointed out what "MTV/hip pop" was becoming, and was right on target EIGHT YEARS AGO. If you're feelin' Rakim, early Nas, early Wu-Tang, Gangstarr, Mobb Deep, and Dilated Peoples, pick up this and Jeru's first album. If not - keep sleepin.'
Reference to Rameses's review: Either you or Jeru must be confused. If Jeru hates white people, then why'd he guest on Groove Armada's "Suntoucher?" Basically, it's him rapping several verses over beats they - two British white guys - produced, making one TIGHT song. He also has toured extensively with artists of all colors, so your point couldn't be more off base. Also, the Beasties, and less importantly Eminem, have been around too long to be considered mere propaganda. "Brothers" like Run DMC, Chuck D., Tribe Called Quest, De La, RZA, Jurassic, Dilated, and The Roots have all stated in one form or another how important and influential the B-Boys have been to hip hop. You should respect what they've done to further hip hop and not dismiss them as being a negative. If you want to focus on propaganda, look no further than other "brothers" such as all of the present-day "Li'l" MC's, Ja Rule/The Inc., anything Cash Money related, and even G Unit, D12, and Ludacris, if they're not careful. Your cause, while worthwhile, seems a little misguided.

Back in '94, Jeru The Damaja dropped his classic debut LP The Sun Rises in the East which was full of classic production, curteosy of DJ Premier, one of the best producers in hip hop. It's a blessing having an entire album produced by Premo, let alone two of them. That is what Jeru's sophomore album is nothing less of, banging Premo production. And Jeru still comes in in the lyrical department with no problem what so ever.

Almost every song stands out in my opinion. "Black Cowboy" and "Whatever" shows Jeru's lyrical gymastics behind the microphone. The latter song vibes with the production damn near perfectly. "Revenge Of The Prophet (Part 5)" is an excellent follow up to the story on his previous album. "Not Your Average *****" is another banging lyrical track intertwined with some hot production. "Me Or The Papes" is sort of a sequel to the song "Da *******" from his previous album as well. "How I'm Living" & "Too Perverted" are other excellent songs that are enjoyable. The album closes off with a fast paced "Invasion".

A few tracks I didn't like was "Physical Stamina" with Afu-Ra. It just didn't live up to the "Mental Stamina" status, as on the previous album. Also sometimes, Jeru seems to be focused on what other rappers were doing (ie Biggie and Puffy), and shows it on "One Day", and "The B.S." (a little less on the latter). I don't mind him disliking the pop rap influences back in '96, but I believed he should have went in that direction, and kept doing what he did best, dropping some science on these tracks.

Overall, "Wrath Of Math" is a hot album. As you can tell, Jeru tried to recreate his classic debut, and has exceeded during the most part, by creating a few sequels from there. The production here bangs, and the lyrics are teaching as usual. Reviewer Ashley Blanchard made a few valid points in her review: If Jeru would have had the production that was on Livin' Proof, the results could have been amazing. Also The Source gave a lot of bogus reviews back in '96 (see Poor Righteous Teachers, Da Bush Babees, Kwest Tha Madd Lad, etc.). So something like this bangin' album only receiving 3 mics shouldn't really be a suprise. Anyway get this album, I gurantee you will like it. Peace!

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Whatever
2. Invsaion
3. Not Your Average *****
4. How I'm Livin'
5. Black Cowboy

Honorable Mention:
1. The Frustrated *****
2. Me Or The Papes

This LP is one of the few examples of real hip hop to emerge in the last century, which would explain it's poor sales and almost 'cult' status. The refreshing lack of 'bling-bling' 'ghetto fabulous' and gangsta posturing is it's main appeal (and Jeru's main focal point as he directly addresses the outright silliness of these trends).
Backed by DJ Premiere who provides a stunningly consistent sonic palette for his brilliant rhymes, Jeru sets out to save hip-hop on his own terms and, to my ears, he accomplishes his mission with genius to spare! A 1996 release that still sounds fresh and deserves classic status.

Wrath of the Math is probably one of the most profound and insightful pieces of hip-hop music ever written. Jeru comes at the listener with indepth rhymes which in no way resemble that trendy mainstream garbage. These rhymes make one question everyday cliches and behaviors. He definatley shows off his vast repertoire of skills and aptly demonstrates the weaknesses of others. And with DJ Premier at the helm of the beats, how could anyone go wrong? These beats are fresh and non-recycled. If you haven't heard it yet then hop to it my friend because you are definately missind out.

Not trying to brag, but I know my stuff when it comes to hiphop. This album is classic. Jeru is one of those MC's that spits a crucial verse, and he's so subtle yet brutally blunt you don't even realize the dopeness until the 3rd or 4th listen. Then, if your like me, you say "dizayam!" and listen to that joint on replay for the next hour or two. This is the best Jeru has to offer, straight up. Every track is off the chain. The beats are simple but so so nice. Scientifical Madness...my status is the badest. Nuff said. Buy this album if you like hiphop. It's one of my all time favorites. I've purchased this album 4 freakin times already.

Much love to Jeru, this is a slammin' album. The intro alone, "Wrath of the Math", is priceless. Tracks like "Ya Playin' Yaself" have an exceptionally high level of intelligence and eloquence. Poetry in motion. "Scientifical Madness" is an untra-phat track with a cosmic beat to bob your head to. Every track is a hit. DJ Premier and Jeru come together like the sea and the sand - seamless. Artists like Jeru dont come along everyday, this is an imensely talented individual who makes some of the phattest tracks I have ever heard. Listen and learn. For Real. Much Respect.

"The Sun Rises in the East" was the start of DJ Premier's mastery in the realm of beat-making. His now-distinct style started forming around Jeru's wack-MC diatribes, and "Wrath of the Math" proves that neither of them are prey to the sophomore jinx. The beats on "Wrath..." are superior, and Jeru definitely holds it down lyrically, although the subject matter can occasionally get boring (you can only rip so many wack MCs before there's none left to rip...). But when he's on point, he's ON POINT. Check "Revenge of the Prophet, Pt. 5," where he battles Mr. Ignorance once again, and also "Me or the Papers," where he tears into sly women over Primo's Casablanca piano loop. Bottom line: cop this album... it's well worth the loot.

Jeru is a rapper whose lyrical skills are absolutely incredible this and the sun rises in the east are his best albums all the other ones suck because after he lost DJ premier on production he took a major step backward musicly. Premiers beats on this album really capture that golden age of 96 Hiphop combining jazz funk and old school styles. If you love primo you know what to expect. I feel that these beats really compliment Jerus crushing lyrical flow very well. For those of you who have never heard Jeru before I would describe him as a lyrical genius who is bringing back what BDP started in the 80s. His witty knowledge filled flows are some of the best ive heard and if you ask me should be what these kids are following instead of this gun talk bling bling nonsense. This is a man who speaks the truth and while often outspoken and extremly underated as an MC he is still one of the best at his craft. maybe in the future he can find a better producer and get another good album out but this one along with the sun rises in the east are 5 mic classics

Pure hip hop at it's best. Man, when I first heard Playin Yourself, I was a kid who was yearning for something great in hip hop. I was getting tired of seeing Puff Daddy and Mase all the time or hearing them, and Foxy Brown was annoying the .... out of me. Then I heard this on a Friday night, since I was grounded for poor grades. My head was nodding till it was sore, and I was smiling because, once again, hip hop had a message. That was just one song. After getting the album, the rest of the album was just as tight. From Not the Average, where he has different girls who either tried playin him, or tried getting him into trouble, to the Revenge of the Prophet part 5, where he continues his saga from the previous Prophet saga's. I love how he just disses Puffy, or now known as the rediculous title P-Diddy, and how he came to rescue hip hop from being kidnapped and exploited by P-Diddy, the very wack artist. Beats are all on point, Premo can do no wrong, and Jeru spits conciousness that would make KRS proud. Get this. This is what great hip hop is all about.