As an interesting side note, the album cover shows the World Trade Center on fire only one year after the 1993 bombing of the North Tower. The album featured Jeru's signature conscious lyrics, however he was criticized by The Fugees for his explicit lyrics particularly, in the song "Da Bichez". Fugees member Pras lightly mentioned Jeru on the track "Zealots", from the group's landmark 1996 album The Score, with the line "No matter who you damage, you're still a false prophet", referencing Jeru's single "You Can't Stop the Prophet". Jeru lightly responded in the intro to the track "Me or The Papes".
Jeru followed up in 1996 with his sophomore album Wrath of the Math again produced solely by DJ Premier. The album was also widely acclaimed, though not on the same level as his debut. Like on his first album, Jeru was accusatory of commercial hip hop artists and record labels (Death Row, Bad Boy), who he criticized on the concept track "One Day". After the release of Wrath of the Math, Jeru had a falling out with DJ Premier and Guru, and was missing from the scene until 1999, when he released his third album, Heroz4hire, released together with Mizmarvel. Heroz was his first album without production from DJ Premier and also his first under his then newly created KnowSavage Records. It featured the single "99.9 Pa Cent", which was a verbal attack on his former affiliates Gang Starr. Heroz4hire was less critically acclaimed, due mostly to Premier's absence. His latest album, Divine Design, released in 2003, was the first album under his new record label, Ashenafi Records. The album received little attention and mixed reviews. A new Jeru album, tentatively titled Still Rising was released in 2007.
Jungle Music
Jeru the Damaja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Word to mother, king like my father
My style survived slave ships, whips, and chains, hardships
Still through all this the praise roll off my lips
Bring your guns, chains and tone force your religion
On me cut my hair, the vibes still exist
To destroy the molesters of my heritage
But they conceal the drums of evil, my loyal lineage
Like my ancestors drums I beat the odds
More mics killed than slaves during the middle passages
Who rapes and ravages and calls us savage?
Jungle bunny, I'm not mo' funny, I'm mo' deadly
They know one day we'll learn how to use it
That's why they fear our jungle music
We went from pyramids to the ghetto
Still my sounds make devils tumble like the walls of Jerico
Chant my paower to devour all the snakes and rats
Extrasensory perception to avoid all traps
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
In the sancuary of your caves white kids press record
As my mystic music spread from sea to galaxy
It's inevitable, you can't stop me
Try to carbon copy, but it always comes out sloppy
You can't outrap me, you can't outrock me
Like the dreads on my head, you try and lock me
Down underground, but I bounce to the jungle
Melodies, that flows like the breeze
Through the trees, like my forefathers, command the wind and seas
With my jungle music
Unga bunga binga
Sound warrior, I'll take your head more than a rap singer
Enlightener, with the mitre
Make the forces of my nature smite ya
Over the airwaves, powers are released
Holy music destroy the savage beast
I'll beat the devil like a Niyabini drummer
Beasts his drum, this beat will drum through the summer
Try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster
You'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer
Heard before he got ambushed, you'll get ambushed
For taking this back to Kush
For too long you've abused it
On the low used it, and called it jungle music
The lyrics in Jeru the Damaja's "Jungle Music" talk about the singer's pride in his African heritage and how his music reflects that pride. The first verse highlights the singer's resilience and how his ancestors' legacy lives on within him despite the hardships they faced. He rejects the colonialist efforts to suppress and erase African culture by saying that the "vibes still exist" even after his oppressors have cut his hair and tried to impose their own religion on him. The singer then calls out those who have "raped and ravaged" Africa and its people, dehumanizing them by calling them "jungle bunny." Despite this, the singer is confident that his music will eventually be learned and respected, and that the oppressors' fear of "jungle music" is justified.
The second verse expands on the power of the singer's music and its ability to overcome oppression. He compares himself to an ancient King who can make his enemies crumble with his sound, and the mention of the "walls of Jericho" alludes to the Biblical story in which the walls of a city crumble due to a collective shout. The singer's music is also portrayed as prophetic, with white kids in caves recording it for posterity. He sees himself as a mystic figure whose music will inevitably spread beyond his immediate environment, despite attempts to imitate and replicate it. The use of African rhythms and melodies in his music is a way of asserting a connection to his continent of origin, and to fight back against those who would use and commodify it ("try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster/you'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer heard before he got ambushed").
Line by Line Meaning
It started on the sands of land of the mother
My culture and music originated in Africa
Word to mother, king like my father
I am proud of my heritage and ancestry
My style survived slave ships, whips, and chains, hardships
Despite the oppression and brutality my ancestors faced, my music continues to thrive
Still through all this the praise roll off my lips
I continue to celebrate and express gratitude for my culture through my music
Bring your guns, chains and tone force your religion
I reject the attempts of outsiders to impose their beliefs and ways of life on me
On me cut my hair, the vibes still exist
Even if they try to suppress my identity or culture, the essence of who I am remains
To destroy the molesters of my heritage
I am committed to fighting against those who seek to erase or distort my culture
But they conceal the drums of evil, my loyal lineage
Those who oppress me try to hide the truth about my history and traditions
King of kings, God of gods
Like my ancestors, I recognize and honor the divine within myself and my people
Like my ancestors drums I beat the odds
I draw strength and inspiration from the resilience of my ancestors
More mics killed than slaves during the middle passages
The music industry and society as a whole have perpetuated violence against Black musicians
Who rapes and ravages and calls us savage?
My people have suffered at the hands of oppressors who also seek to dehumanize and vilify us
Jungle bunny, I'm not mo' funny, I'm mo' deadly
I refuse to accept derogatory labels and instead assert my power and strength
They know one day we'll learn how to use it
Oppressors fear the day when we fully embrace and utilize our culture and traditions
That's why they fear our jungle music
My music is a symbol of resistance and liberation that threatens those in power
We went from pyramids to the ghetto
My people have a rich history and cultural legacy that has been systematically oppressed and reduced
Still my sounds make devils tumble like the walls of Jerico
My music has the power to dismantle systems of oppression and bring down oppressive forces
Chant my paower to devour all the snakes and rats
My music is a weapon against those who seek to harm and deceive us
Extrasensory perception to avoid all traps
I am intuitive and wise enough to recognize and avoid traps set by oppressors
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
I celebrate the divine through my music and seek to uplift and empower my people
In the sancuary of your caves white kids press record
Even those outside of my community recognize the power and beauty of my music
As my mystic music spread from sea to galaxy
My music has a universal appeal and can be appreciated across cultures and even by extraterrestrial beings
It's inevitable, you can't stop me
My music and message are too powerful to be contained or silenced
Try to carbon copy, but it always comes out sloppy
Attempts to imitate or steal my music fail because they lack the authenticity, spirit, and soul of the original
You can't outrap me, you can't outrock me
I am confident in my abilities and talents as an artist
Like the dreads on my head, you try and lock me
Oppressors try to control and restrict me, but I remain free and true to myself
Down underground, but I bounce to the jungle
Even if forced into hiding or exile, my music always finds a way to thrive and evolve
Melodies, that flows like the breeze
My music is organic, fluid, and natural
Through the trees, like my forefathers, command the wind and seas
My ancestors were attuned to nature and had a deep respect and connection to the environment
Unga bunga binga
This phrase has no clear meaning, but may be a playful or nonsensical vocalization
Sound warrior, I'll take your head more than a rap singer
I am a formidable and powerful artist who can hold my own against anyone
Enlightener, with the mitre
I am a source of wisdom and knowledge for my community
Make the forces of my nature smite ya
Those who oppose or harm me will face the wrath of nature and the divine
Over the airwaves, powers are released
My music has a transformative and liberating effect that transcends physical boundaries
Holy music destroy the savage beast
My music is a force for good that can overcome and dismantle the oppressive forces of society
I'll beat the devil like a Niyabini drummer
I can triumph over and subdue even the most powerful and malevolent forces through my music and spirit
Beasts his drum, this beat will drum through the summer
My music has a contagious and long-lasting impact that resonates throughout the seasons
Try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster
Oppressors try to suppress and stifle us with all their power
You'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer
Oppressors will eventually face defeat and destruction similar to the fate of George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn
Heard before he got ambushed, you'll get ambushed
Oppressors will eventually be caught off-guard and defeated by the will and power of the oppressed
For taking this back to Kush
My music is a form of resistance and reclamation that hearkens back to the origin of human civilization in Africa
For too long you've abused it
Oppressors have exploited and appropriated my culture and music for their own gain without proper recognition or respect
On the low used it, and called it jungle music
Oppressors have taken my music and turned it into a derogatory label, but I reclaim it as a symbol of resistance and liberation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9
Written by: NATHANIEL HALL, MICHAEL SMALL, KENDRICK DAVIS, CHRIS MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@intothevoid9604
It started on the sands of land of the mother
Word to mother, king like my father
My style survived slave ships, whips, and chains, hardships
Still through all this the praise roll off my lips
Bring your guns, chains and tone force your religion
On me cut my hair, the vibes still exist
To destroy the molesters of my heritage
But they conceal the drums of evil, my loyal lineage
King of kings, God of gods
Like my ancestors drums I beat the odds
More mics killed than slaves during the middle passages
Who rapes and ravages and calls us savage?
Jungle bunny, I'm not mo' funny, I'm mo' deadly
They know one day we'll learn how to use it
That's why they fear our jungle music
We went from pyramids to the ghetto
Still my sounds make devils tumble like the walls of Jerico
Chant my paower to devour all the snakes and rats
Extrasensory perception to avoid all traps
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
In the sancuary of your caves white kids press record
As my mystic music spread from sea to galaxy
It's inevitable, you can't stop me
Try to carbon copy, but it always comes out sloppy
You can't outrap me, you can't outrock me
Like the dreads on my head, you try and lock me
Down underground, but I bounce to the jungle
Melodies, that flows like the breeze
Through the trees, like my forefathers, command the wind and seas
With my jungle music
Unga bunga binga
Sound warrior, I'll take your head more than a rap singer
Enlightener, with the mitre
Make the forces of my nature smite ya
Over the airwaves, powers are released
Holy music destroy the savage beast
I'll beat the devil like a Niyabini drummer
Beasts his drum, this beat will drum through the summer
Try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster
You'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer
Heard before he got ambushed, you'll get ambushed
For taking this back to Kush
For too long you've abused it
On the low used it, and called it jungle music
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
It started on the sands of land of the mother
Word to mother, king like my father
My style survived slave ships, whips, and chains, hardships
Still through all this, the praise roll off my lips
Bring your guns, chains and tongue force your religion
On me cut my hair, the vibes still exist
To destroy the molesters of my heritage
But they conceal the drums reveal, my royal lineage
King of kings, God of Gods
Like my ancestors drums I beat the odds
More mics killed than slaves during the middle passages
Who rapes and ravages and calls us savage?
Jungle bunny, I'm not mo' funny, I'm mo' deadly
They know one day we'll learn how to use it
That's why they fear our jungle music
[Hook: Premo on the cuts]
"In the J-U-N-G-L-E"
[Verse 2]
We went from pyramids to the ghetto
Still my sounds make devils tumble like the walls of Jericho
Chant my power to devour all the snakes and rats
Extrasensory perception to avoid all traps
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
In the sanctuary of your caves, white kids press record
As my mystic music spread from sea to galaxy
It's inevitable, you can't stop me
Try and carbon copy, but it always comes out sloppy
You can't outrap me, you can't outrock me
Like the dreads on my head, you try and lock me
Down underground, but I bounce to the jungle
Melodies that flows like the breeze
Through the trees, like my forefathers
Command the wind and seas - with my jungle music
[Hook: Preemo on the cuts]
"In the J-U-N-G-L-E"
[Verse 3]
Unga bunga binga
Sound warrior, I'll take your head more than a rap singer
Enlightener, with the mitre
Make the forces of my nature smite ya
Over the airwaves, powers are released
Holy music destroy the savage beast
I'll beat the devil like a Nyahbinghi drummer
Beats his drum, this beat will drum through the summer
Try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster
You'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer
Heard before he got ambushed, you'll get ambushed
For taking this back to Kush
For too long you've abused it
On the low used it - and called it jungle music
[Hook: Preemo on the cuts]
"In the J-U-N-G-L-E"
@sxljr5491
It started on the sands of land of the mother
Word to mother, king like my father
My style survived slave ships, whips, and chains, hardships
Still through all this the praise roll off my lips
Bring your guns, chains and tone force your religion
On me cut my hair, the vibes still exist
To destroy the molesters of my heritage
But they conceal the drums of evil, my loyal lineage
King of kings, God of gods
Like my ancestors drums I beat the odds
More mics killed than slaves during the middle passages
Who rapes and ravages and calls us savage?
Jungle bunny, I'm not mo' funny, I'm mo' deadly
They know one day we'll learn how to use it
That's why they fear our jungle music
We went from pyramids to the ghetto
Still my sounds make devils tumble like the walls of Jerico
Chant my paower to devour all the snakes and rats
Extrasensory perception to avoid all traps
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
In the sancuary of your caves white kids press record
As my mystic music spread from sea to galaxy
It's inevitable, you can't stop me
Try to carbon copy, but it always comes out sloppy
You can't outrap me, you can't outrock me
Like the dreads on my head, you try and lock me
Down underground, but I bounce to the jungle
Melodies, that flows like the breeze
Through the trees, like my forefathers, command the wind and seas
With my jungle music
Unga bunga binga
Sound warrior, I'll take your head more than a rap singer
Enlightener, with the mitre
Make the forces of my nature smite ya
Over the airwaves, powers are released
Holy music destroy the savage beast
I'll beat the devil like a Niyabini drummer
Beasts his drum, this beat will drum through the summer
Try to hold us back with all the strength you can muster
You'll hear a sound similar to the one Custer
Heard before he got ambushed, you'll get ambushed
For taking this back to Kush
For too long you've abused it
On the low used it, and called it jungle music
@charlestillmanTV
The greatest pro-Black opening verse in hip-hop history and one of the greatest pieces of poetic lyricism ever. Period. Every black kid (and everyone) in America should be given this verse as a study. Jeru summed up the story of the struggle brilliantly in ONE VERSE! Stay blessed.
@tochiRTA
fax! been telling people this is one of the dopest hip hop songs ever! a must-listen imo
@tochiRTA
did that shit in one verse, too. Niggas now like Kendrick/Cole would ramble a bunch of fake-woke bullshit their entire album and not even hit 1/3 the illness of this one verse. That's where we are with this rap shit now. sad as fuck.
@alvafelix4539
Thank you thank those lyrics unbelievable wish more young ppl could hear those lyrics
@cjhepburn7406
Word...
@MarkyGarvey
@@tochiRTAbeyond facts!
@Mize2dx
Had 12 and 13 year old kids knowing this word for word back in 94 in Bklyn...Different mindsets!! Whole album a classic.
@kth6854
Damn, back when hip hop had some lyrical meaning, this truly is Rhythm And Poetry.
@Marie-mz6jt
The level of poetry is just incredible here
@zales2011
Masterpiece of an album