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.
Renagade Slave
Jeru the Damaja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So when we strike, it's multiple wounds like boss mind thoughts
To breakin these laws, I'm thinkin because I tap jaws
Burn down broncos and teach ya whores to fight for the cause
The beast roars, I don't drink, I'm takin heads like the moors
I keep it, jungle naughty, ya put a razor to yours
That's crazy fake like house niggas rockin bikini drawers
In a pituat force, puttin bombs at Devil's doors
Doin it, feel nigga style, for dreams that died on prison floors
Liberate, carnivores that dine on walls
And I be fighting even after I reach African shores
The Renegade Slave
Weaks lions, surrender their crowns, avoid the battle ground
I storm the plantation, take masa head and burn his house down
Home bound, pitch black, don't make a sound
Renegade Slave flippin, fire a rip thru your town
Satin heart pound, whose to smile, now we frown
How slaves run around like clowns holding whitey down
No more whippin and riggin, I'm shootin plansmen, hit the ground
So much blood on the seed, no's left, face down drown
Listen, close, cuz the meaning is profound
The beats is on my hills, I boogie like James Brown
Keep a low pro, communicate underground
Cuz no devil alive can scan my sound
The Renegade Slave
Smarter then Frederick Douglas, and wilder then Ike Turner
My will to be free, in your eyes makes me a murderer
Creepin late night like a burglar, Study his literature
When the kings rise again, bells of Bob knows the procedure
Uncle Tom, shot on the spot, we don't need ya
I know who I am, a warrior like Kunta
But not running away, runnin demons into the caves
Beware, beware, beware, the Renegade Slave
Hittin 'em from every angle, Devil's we strangle
And intangle in the web, when we rise again
The Renegade Slave's are comin
[Outro]
That's right, you know me
Don't act like you don't, you see me
You know where I'm at, you see when I'm comin
But you really don't know, you think you do
You never will, But I'm always here
And I will rise again, You can't hold me down
You can't do it, I won't allow it to happen
My will is too strong, I can't be broken
It's the Renegade Slave
It's the Renegade Slave
It's the Renegade Slave
The lyrics in "Renegade Slave" by Jeru the Damaja speak to the desire for freedom and rebellion against oppressive forces, specifically referencing the Devil and the plantation master. The first verse describes preparation for "the final wars" and the strategy of striking with multiple wounds to break laws and fight for the cause. The second verse describes the defiance of slavery, with the Renegade Slave taking control and burning down the plantation master's house. The third verse emphasizes the intelligence and power of the Renegade Slave, referencing historical figures such as Frederick Douglass and Kunta Kinte, and warning the Devil to beware.
Overall, the song argues for the liberation of Black people from oppressive forces, and portrays the Renegade Slave as a powerful force of resistance. The lyrics draw on historical and cultural references to emphasize the strength and intelligence of the Black community in their fight for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Too escape the Devil's jaws & prepare for the final wars
To avoid evil and be ready for the ultimate fight
So when we strike, it's multiple wounds like boss mind thoughts
When we attack, it's calculated and effective
To breakin these laws, I'm thinkin because I tap jaws
I break the rules because I'm powerful and fearless
Burn down broncos and teach ya whores to fight for the cause
Destroy the enemy and motivate the oppressed to fight back
The beast roars, I don't drink, I'm takin heads like the moors
The enemy is fierce, but I'm sober and ruthless like the Moors
I keep it, jungle naughty, ya put a razor to yours
I keep it wild and dangerous, while you're trying to be clean
That's crazy fake like house niggas rockin bikini drawers
That's ridiculous and false like slaves pretending to be free
In a pituat force, puttin bombs at Devil's doors
In a risky mission to attack the enemy's strongholds
Black Diamond, the numerous flaws, blood pours
Black people are precious but have suffered a lot, many died
Doin it, feel nigga style, for dreams that died on prison floors
I'm doing it with my own style, for my dreams and those who lost theirs
Liberate, carnivores that dine on walls
Free the oppressed who are forced to eat their own kind
And I be fighting even after I reach African shores
I'll keep fighting for freedom even after returning to the homeland
Weaks lions, surrender their crowns, avoid the battle ground
Weak leaders give up power and avoid confrontation
I storm the plantation, take masa head and burn his house down
I attack the oppressor, kill him and destroy his property
Home bound, pitch black, don't make a sound
Return home silently and carefully
Renegade Slave flippin, fire a rip thru your town
Rebel slave attacking and creating chaos in the town
Satin heart pound, whose to smile, now we frown
The oppressor is scared and we are no longer happy
How slaves run around like clowns holding whitey down
Slaves were oppressed but now they are empowered and fight back
No more whippin and riggin, I'm shootin plansmen, hit the ground
No more torture and deceit, I'm shooting overseers and they die
So much blood on the seed, no's left, face down drown
So many people died, there's no hope left
Listen, close, cuz the meaning is profound
Pay attention, this is important and deep
The beats is on my hills, I boogie like James Brown
I'm moving fast and with rhythm like James Brown's music
Keep a low pro, communicate underground
Stay hidden and communicate secretly
Cuz no devil alive can scan my sound
The enemy can't intercept my messages or predict my moves
Smarter then Frederick Douglas, and wilder then Ike Turner
I'm intelligent and rebellious like Frederick Douglass and wild like Ike Turner
My will to be free, in your eyes makes me a murderer
My desire for liberty makes you see me as a killer
Creepin late night like a burglar, Study his literature
Moving stealthily at night and learning from the writings of the wise
When the kings rise again, bells of Bob knows the procedure
When the leaders emerge, the wise people will follow them
Uncle Tom, shot on the spot, we don't need ya
The traitor is killed without mercy, we don't want him
I know who I am, a warrior like Kunta
I know my identity as a fighter and a survivor like Kunta Kinte
But not running away, runnin demons into the caves
I'm not escaping, I'm chasing the oppressors
Beware, beware, beware, the Renegade Slave
Watch out for me, I'm a rebel slave on a mission
Hittin 'em from every angle, Devil's we strangle
Attacking the enemy from all directions and choking them
And intangle in the web, when we rise again
Trapping the enemy and causing chaos when we strike back
That's right, you know me
I'm known by those who fear and respect me
Don't act like you don't, you see me
Don't pretend you don't know me, you do
You know where I'm at, you see when I'm comin
You know my whereabouts and my intentions
But you really don't know, you think you do
But you're mistaken, you don't fully understand me
You never will, But I'm always here
You can't comprehend my spirit or my presence
And I will rise again, You can't hold me down
I will rebel again, and you can't oppress me forever
You can't do it, I won't allow it to happen
You can't stop me, I won't let you win
My will is too strong, I can't be broken
My determination is unbreakable
It's the Renegade Slave
I'm the rebel slave who fights for freedom
Contributed by Jackson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MAARTN
I only knew one song from this album, but as always Jeru kills every track, I need to have this album on vinyl
Crafty Spirit
Jeru has some of the hardest lyrics that you can't simply downplay as "he's just playing" or "this is not to be taken serious, rappers love to brag and exaggerate"
Sameer Mustafah Raza
Now this is what u call HIPHOP!
Doom Santana
why don't you all Support Jeru the Damaja, if you're a fan of his music you should BUY his albums . .. . he is so underrated he needs our support . c'mon now .
Errol Stange
First comment since 3 years... love this album.
DCUOStillHere
wy tam we dwoch schowajcie sie gdzies do szafy... Uslyszeliscie Jerego na kawalku peji i sie podniecacie, a najlepsze jest to ze z was 2 zaden sie nie wysilil i wszedl w pierwszy wyswietlony track jerego... Sam jestem fanem peji ale znam jerego nie z "Oddalbym" i jakos on nigdy nie byl dla mnie najlepszy i nie bedzie...!
Mazal Tawab
what's good we still here, this song is realer than ever
notoriousBaz
have you got this on mp3 or somefin? want to download it so bad
D&S LOYALTY 777*
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
prspr
got this on a vynil, very strong