The Sun Rises in the East

Jeru The Damaja

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 1994)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana Island
• ASIN: B000003R5O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,427 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When a Rastafarian MC stole the show on Gang Starr's posse cut "I'm the Man" (from their Daily Operation LP), rap fans took notice. And they were not disappointed by Jeru the Damaja's aptly titled debut, The Sun Rises in the East. His ability to drop rhymes filled with Biblical references and simultaneously speak out against the C.R.E.A.M credo that permeates hip-hop is unparalleled. The Brooklyn mic fiend's vast vocabulary and clear delivery are on display on "Mental Stamina," where he gloats that he's a "Phoenician with more stamina than a Christian," as he introduces the world to rhyme partner Afu Ra. And the street anthem "Come Clean" features DJ Premier--arguably hip-hop's best producer--at his finest (check the drippy faucet sample). This album isn't without controversy, however. On "Da Bichez," Jeru draws a distinction between what he calls "bitches" and "young ladies" over a hot horn loop. But in spite of some inconsistencies in his stance as a prophet, this 40-minute album contains no filler, and remains his best work to date. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The SUN should RISE+set to this., February 17, 2005

By	gavin redmond "phrase" (rep of ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ill rhymes+dj premier's beats, what else could any rap fan ask for?? After appearing on 2 gangstarr albums, JERU blasted his way onto the solo scene with his single "come clean". A 5min track educating heads about forgetting about the guntalk+to start taking it back to talent, with the immortal line "..leave ya nine's at home+bring ya skillz to the battle!!" Backed by an apocalyptic beat arrangement, ginsu sharp cuts+scratches by preemo and an unbelieveable sample of water dropping onto pipes, it ACTUALLY has to be heard to be believed. With only 10 tracks on the album (plus 3 interludes) there's no room for error and thankfully both mc+producer are at the pinnacle of their games on this. The musical soundscapes added with thunderous beats, wickedly original samples and breathtaking cuts+scrathes all by dj premier are a hiphop fan's dream. Add all that to JERU's intellectual hard street flows and welcome to a match made in heaven. JERU's full range of lyrics are on show here, with street anthems such as "come clean", "d-original", "brooklyn took it", "static" and "my mind spray". Then you bare witness to the wordplay of subjects closer to his heart on "da bitchez", "aint the devil happy" and "jungle music". You got the straight forward mc back+forth style with a very young AFU-RA on "mental stamina" and finally his intricate story involving peoples traits such as greed+hate as charchters which he battles against on "you cant stop the prophet". One of the best debut hiphop albums you'll EVER hear, a masterpiece from start to finish!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jeru the Damaja- The Sun Rises in the East, September 21, 2003

By	Constant (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Jeru the Damaja's (Kendrick Jeru Davis) debut album "The Sun Rises in the East" (1994) is a memorable release. Getting a DJ Premier track on ones album is almost like a blessing these days, so to have a whole album produced by him is excellent. Jeru's flow and delivery are impressive throughout. From the first line "Life is the Struggle between Dynamic Opposites..." of the intro I knew I was listening to something special. Jeru comes out rugged on the dark "Brooklyn Took It" a track laced with crazy beats. Afu Ra & Jeru drop a nice collabration with "Mental Stamima", lyrics and beat to this track are ill. Jeru's storytelling skill excell on "You Can't Stop the Prophet" and my favourite track the ominous sounding "Ain't the Devil Happy". Jeru's Wordplay on "My Mind Spray" is memorable, and he controls the Mic like Fidel Castro on "Come Clean". "Statik" is a strong closer to a powerful release. Jeru's lyrcism on this release is as good as Premo amazing beats and the album has impressive continuity. This is Jeru's best album in my opinion, another reason I enjoy it is Jeru does not hold back whether he is creating controversy, delivering complex rhymes or making enemies his music is his. "The Sun Rises in the East" is a unique release an example of pure raw Hip Hop at its best.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beast of the East, April 26, 2006

By	Terrell XXX esq. (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

Arguably one of the hardest hip hop albums of all time, The Sun Rises in the East is New York at it's grittiest. Every cut on this album is f*@kin magnificent. With the help of beat maestro extraordinaire DJ Premier, Jeru tears the frame out of fake gangsta emcees, Polo and Guess chasing B!+@#es, and Black Amerikkka's arch nemesis Mr. Ignorance, piece by piece. Make no mistake, Jeru is DEEP,mind of minolta deep, so this album wasn't and isn't for everyone. This is advanced hip hop. If this were a class at a university you would have to take a pre requisite course before being aloud to listen to it! This album showcases some of the best soundscapes Primo has ever concoted, so it is a must have for all students of Primology/Premierian thought. My favorite cut is the unbelievable "Ain't the Devil Happy", where Jeru takes on the plight of violence and materialism in the black community with a fervor seldom heard in today's brain drained hip hop scene. To make a long story short, BUY THIS ALBUM! New York doesn't make records like this anymore. As a matter of fact,no one makes records like this anymore.