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.
My Mind Spray
Jeru the Damaja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words of power, your rhymes are unconfounding so death's your fate
Ostentatious genius, of rappin
Is mentally clappin to take hip-hop back, that's what's happenin
Proficiency and ingenuity
Plus more styles, than a Shaolin mon-es-tary
In poetry my formula's deadly
Bring your hypest man in your army another casual-ty
Droppin my rhyme science like I'm Imhotep
Application of mind over matter
Made fools scatter, rhymes fatter, minds splatter
Your girl bend over and over and over
MC's try to touch the Damaja but you just can't win
Excellent with the word play, you lay
Face down, when my, mind spray
Thunder on your Dome with no help from Mad Max
Lyrics like hype tattoos go over the dope tracks
We booby-traps, all our inventions
We know the intentions of MC kleptomaniacs
Rap brainiacs have cardiacs soon after the attack
When it comes to ryhmin I slam harder than Shaq
Accomplish the bio-feedback, more complex than an almanac
Keep you up like an afrodesiac
Idealist not an opportunist
Don't molest no shorty still in all, I'm dangerous
Mentally you can't talk to me, hear me, or see me
You're not equipped
From, street blocks to cell blocks my vo-cals rock
Do more work than a crackhead with a, toolbox
Jeru never touch-er, mic-ra-phone wrecker
If your honey's a Queen I'll sex her
More important, the mind strikes like the nine strikes
A priest by May
You reach for your uzay, when my mind spray
J-E, Rrrah-you it's a horror to you
Lyrical kung-fu so do your kung-fu if you know kung-fu
Dirty, down low profile
Shoot up jams without the aid of lead projectiles
Style's ridiculous, techniques infamous
Take more heads than Santa Claus at Christmas
Science misfits, meet the wrath of my wit
Immediately following, they go into a conniption fit
Reach into my bag of darkness and spark this like an arsonist
Blow up like a terrorist
I'm not a sexist don't have the power to be a racist
I'm a scientist, and an activist
Complex yeah simple like Mixelplics
Unlike the silly devil, I don't come with tricks/Trix
So out there to all you MC's return to the righteous way
Or meet death face to face when my, mind spray
In Jeru the Damaja's song "My Mind Spray," the rapper boasts about his lyrical prowess and ability to take hip-hop back to its roots. He describes his words as powerful, while dismissing other rappers' rhymes as unconfounding and destined for death. Jeru refers to himself as an ostentatious genius, utilizing numerous styles that come together like the collective styles of a Shaolin monastery. Jeru uses deadly poetry to destroy any competition, causing even the hypest man in his opponent's army to become just another casualty. When he delivers his rhymes, they come slowly like death, and Jeru likens himself to the ancient Egyptian architect, Imhotep.
Jeru then goes on to describe himself as an idealist, as someone who doesn't take advantage of others but who is still dangerous when it comes to rhyming. He has the ability to keep listeners hooked and up like an aphrodisiac, and he's not an opportunist or sexist. Instead, he describes himself as a scientist and activist radiating complex simplicity. Jeru calls on other MCs to return to the righteous way or face death when his mind spray, that is, when he delivers his rhymes.
Line by Line Meaning
I annihilate, as I articulate
I destroy my opponents with my words when I speak
Words of power, your rhymes are unconfounding so death's your fate
My lyrics are powerful and deadly, while yours are mediocre and confusing
Ostentatious genius, of rappin
I am a genius when it comes to rapping and flaunt it
Is mentally clappin to take hip-hop back, that's what's happenin
My mind is applauding itself for bringing hip-hop back to its roots
Proficiency and ingenuity
I have the skills and creativity to excel in my craft
Plus more styles, than a Shaolin mon-es-tary
I possess a wide range of rapping styles, more than a Shaolin monk has martial arts skills
In poetry my formula's deadly
I am lethal with my lyrical formula in poetry
Bring your hypest man in your army another casual-ty
Even if you bring your best rapper, I will defeat him easily
Slow like demise I crept on those that slept
I move slowly and silently like death on unsuspecting opponents
Droppin my rhyme science like I'm Imhotep
I am dropping my lyrical knowledge like Imhotep, one of the greatest scientists of ancient Egypt
Application of mind over matter
I use my mental power to overcome obstacles
Made fools scatter, rhymes fatter, minds splatter
My impressive lyrics scatter lesser rappers, while my rhymes and ideas impress and shock others
Your girl bend over and over and over
I am seducing and impressing your girlfriend with my lyrics, making her want more
MC's try to touch the Damaja but you just can't win
Other rappers attempt to compete with me, but they will always lose to me
Excellent with the word play, you lay
My wordplay is exceptional, and I am putting lesser rappers to rest
Face down, when my, mind spray
My lyrics are so powerful that opponents cannot stand up to me
Thunder on your Dome with no help from Mad Max
My lyrics are like thunder that hits your head, without any help from Mad Max (a character known for causing destruction)
Lyrics like hype tattoos go over the dope tracks
My lyrics are like tattoos that excite the listener when combined with great beats
We booby-traps, all our inventions
We set traps for those who try to copy our style or ideas
We know the intentions of MC kleptomaniacs
We recognize and expose rappers who steal others' ideas without giving credit
Rap brainiacs have cardiacs soon after the attack
When I lyrically attack less-skilled rappers, they have a heart attack due to the shock of my superior skills
When it comes to ryhmin I slam harder than Shaq
I am better at rapping than Shaquille O'Neal is at basketball
Accomplish the bio-feedback, more complex than an almanac
I achieve bio-feedback, which is more complex than an almanac
Keep you up like an afrodesiac
My music keeps the listener energized like an aphrodisiac
Idealist not an opportunist
I have a strong set of beliefs and don't take advantage of others for personal gain
Don't molest no shorty still in all, I'm dangerous
I don't harm women, but I am still a powerful and dangerous rapper
Mentally you can't talk to me, hear me, or see me
Other rappers cannot compete with me mentally, and don't fully understand my artistry
You're not equipped
Others are not prepared or skilled enough to compete with me
From, street blocks to cell blocks my vo-cals rock
My lyrics resonate with people from all walks of life, whether on the streets or in prison
Do more work than a crackhead with a, toolbox
I work harder than a drug addict with a toolbox
Jeru never touch-er, mic-ra-phone wrecker
I never mishandle a microphone, but rather use it to wreck other rappers
If your honey's a Queen I'll sex her
If your girlfriend is beautiful, I will seduce her
More important, the mind strikes like the nine strikes
My ideas are more important than simple violence, and my mental power strikes like lightning
A priest by May
I am a holy man, possibly even a priest
You reach for your uzay, when my mind spray
Other rappers feel threatened and grab their gun (uzay) when I begin to rap
J-E, Rrrah-you it's a horror to you
Hearing my name (Jeru) is intimidating to other rappers
Lyrical kung-fu so do your kung-fu if you know kung-fu
I am skilled at rapping (lyrical kung-fu), so other rappers should try their own skills if they have any
Dirty, down low profile
I have a low-key persona, but still hold a powerful presence
Shoot up jams without the aid of lead projectiles
I create great music without the use of weapons (lead projectiles)
Style's ridiculous, techniques infamous
My rapping style is impressive, and my techniques are highly respected in the industry
Take more heads than Santa Claus at Christmas
I defeat more rappers than Santa Claus delivers presents on Christmas
Science misfits, meet the wrath of my wit
Those who doubt or disagree with my theories or knowledge will face the consequences of my sharp mind
Immediately following, they go into a conniption fit
Their reaction to losing to me is intense and full of distress
Reach into my bag of darkness and spark this like an arsonist
I have untouchable and dark knowledge that I use to spark my rhymes like a fire
Blow up like a terrorist
My music and lyrics are explosive and impactful
I'm not a sexist don't have the power to be a racist
I respect people of all genders and races, and I don't have the power to oppress anyone
I'm a scientist, and an activist
I am dedicated to creating knowledge and making positive change in the world through my music
Complex yeah simple like Mixelplics
My style is both intricate and easy to understand, like the character Mixelplics from a popular children's show
Unlike the silly devil, I don't come with tricks/Trix
I am not deceitful like the stereotypical devil, and I am not like the cereal Trix (which is often misleading)
So out there to all you MC's return to the righteous way
I encourage other rappers to return to a fair and honest way of making music
Or meet death face to face when my, mind spray
If other rappers don't follow my advice or continue to compete with me, they will face my powerful lyrics and meet their downfall
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KENDRICK JERU DAVIS, ROBERT M. JAMES, CHRIS E. MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind