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.
Scientifical Madness
Jeru the Damaja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scientifical Madness
Scientifical Madness
My status is the baddest
(Repeat Again)
(Verse 1)
I'm rippin vampires
You think I give a fuck
Who's the biggest player
Or who's got the fattest bank roll
What is it if a man gains the world
And lose his own soul?
Bioengineered, mutated chickens
Niggaz lickin' one another
Brother killin' brother
And you demon muthafuckas
Start coastal rivalries
The worlds greatest lust is jewelery
Mind Jah lick you with disease
So I inflict MC's like Ebola
Or some other man made cancer
Fuck a two-hundred dollar sweater
We need to try and reach the niggaz
On the corner
But all we do is create drug dealers
Envy then creates murderers
Diamond rings, pretty hoes
Fat chains, expensive things
Just watch which way
Ya burner swings in this world of...
(Chorus)
(Verse 2)
Chemical warfare
The telephoner acts like he lives here
The government is putting madd shit in the air
Projects are strategically set-up
In the case that shit you up
They easily blown up
Poisonous gases
The so-called righteous help for the masses
But it's them that judge their own asses
Knowing what their task is
But still receding, ass backwards
Do you need to ask me who the devil is
Some may call it showbizz
I just call 'em hipocrites
'Cause they don't teach the children shit positive
Like how a man should live
They only focus on the negative
So they're stuck in the ghetto
While you drive a car and got a condo
It's all for the dolo
It's killing your own people
profits greater than (?Peneco?)
Forget about what's equal
In this world of...
(Chorus)
(Verse3)
artificially inseminated
White bitches have babies most black youth are incarcerated
In the ghetto babies having babies but no loot
So most pregnancies are terminated
Warlocks keep the covernant
And the souls of the ignorant ones empower it
It's transparent
You see Uncle Sam as your parent
When Amerikkka has beef you jump up to defend it
But you can still be a defendant
Ask my co-defendant
And we're both innocent
Every black man in Amerikkka faces imprisonment
Ridicule, and torment
But in this tournament
The chosen few shall be triumphant
And the devil will be decapitated
So you can keep your (?duckets?)
And your (?dressing?), I won't be emasculated
In this world of...
(Chorus)
The song Scientifical Madness by Jeru the Damaja delves into the issues plaguing the world through the use of science and technology. The chorus highlights the state of insanity that these scientific advancements have brought, and the introverted nature of humans in prioritizing materialistic possessions. The first verse addresses the issue of environmental degradation, manifested through the hole in the ozone layer, and the detachment from moral values that individuals have when it comes to their greed for wealth. The verse also talks about the mutated chickens and the moral degradation of people, with brothers killing each other and indulging in promiscuity.
The second verse explains the tragedy of chemical warfare, which the government carries out to control the masses strategically. The government is also responsible for the misappropriation of funds, which prioritizes the wealthy and leaves the poor in poverty. The government's actions are further criticized by suggesting that it only focuses on the negative aspects of society, thereby causing people to be stuck in poverty or incarcerated. The final verse of the song explores the artificial insemination of white women and the high rates of incarcerations of black youth. The inequality in society provides a platform for demons to enrich themselves by exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Scientifical Madness
Referring to the crazy and harmful advancements in scientific research and technology
My status is the baddest
Proud of his stance and voice in expressing social and political issues
There's a hole in the ozone layer
Concerned about environmental issues
I'm rippin vampires
Referring to fighting against metaphorical vampires or the corrupt in society
You think I give a fuck
Indifferent to status and power in society
Who's the biggest player
Referring to those with the most power and influence
Or who's got the fattest bank roll
Referring to those with the most money and assets
What is it if a man gains the world
Questioning the value of material gain and success
And lose his own soul?
Warning against losing oneself in the pursuit of material possessions and success
Bioengineered, mutated chickens
Concerned about the dangers and ethics of genetically modified food
Niggaz lickin' one another
Describing how people are quick to follow harmful trends and behaviors in society
Brother killin' brother
Critiquing the prevalence of violence and hate in society
And you demon muthafuckas
Referring to those who perpetuate harmful and oppressive systems in society
Start coastal rivalries
Describing how people are quick to divide and fight against each other
The worlds greatest lust is jewellery
Critiquing the emphasis on material possessions and wealth in society
Mind Jah lick you with disease
Highlighting the consequences of societal wrongs and actions
So I inflict MC's like Ebola
Using music to spread a message and critique of society
Or some other man made cancer
Referring to the dangers and harms of technology and 'scientific progress'
Fuck a two-hundred dollar sweater
Rejecting the focus on material possessions and wealth in society
We need to try and reach the niggaz
Describing the importance of educating and improving society
On the corner
Referring to those who are most impacted by societal issues
But all we do is create drug dealers
Describing how society often perpetuates harm instead of healing and improvement
Envy then creates murderers
Describing the negative impact of jealousy and competition in society
Diamond rings, pretty hoes
Highlighting the negative attitudes towards women and emphasis on material possessions in society
Fat chains, expensive things
Critiquing the emphasis on wealth and material possessions in society
Just watch which way
Warning against the negative consequences of following harmful trends and behaviors
Ya burner swings in this world of...
Describing the dangers and harms of societal norms and trends
Chemical warfare
Describing the dangers and harms of chemical weapons and pollutants in society
The telephoner acts like he lives here
Critiquing the negative attitudes towards immigrants and other marginalized groups in society
The government is putting madd shit in the air
Highlighting the dangers and harm caused by the government and corporate greed in society
Projects are strategically set-up
Describing how the government and institutions perpetuate system of oppression and harm to marginalized groups
In the case that shit you up
Warning against the dangers and harm caused by systemic oppression
They easily blown up
Warning against the vulnerable and dangerous nature of projects and communities created by institutions
Poisonous gases
Highlighting the dangers and harm caused by pollutants and chemicals in society
The so-called righteous help for the masses
Critiquing how those in power often claim to help but actually perpetuate harm and oppression
But it's them that judge their own asses
Critiquing the hypocritical and dishonest nature of those in power and authority
Knowing what their task is
Highlighting how those in power are aware of their actions and the harm they perpetuate
But still receding, ass backwards
Describing how those in power and authority are ignorant and fail to take action to help society
Do you need to ask me who the devil is
Highlighting the negative and harmful impact of those in power and society
Some may call it showbizz
Critiquing the superficial nature of media and entertainment industry
I just call 'em hipocrites
Warns against the hypocrisy and dishonesty in entertainment and media
'Cause they don't teach the children shit positive
Highlighting the negative and harmful influence of media and entertainment on young people
Like how a man should live
Describing the importance of positive and inspiring role models in society
They only focus on the negative
Critiquing the overwhelming focus on violent and harmful content in media and entertainment
So they're stuck in the ghetto
Describing how societal issues perpetuate systemic oppression and poverty
While you drive a car and got a condo
Highlighting the vast divide between those in power and those in poverty
It's all for the dolo
Critiquing the selfish and individualistic nature of those in power and society
It's killing your own people
Describing how societal issues perpetuate harm and death to marginalized groups
profits greater than (?Peneco?)
Emphasizing the negative impact of corporate greed and profits in society
Forget about what's equal
Critiquing the lack of equity and justice in society
artificially inseminated
Highlighting the negative and unethical impact of technology and science on society
White bitches have babies most black youth are incarcerated
Highlighting the racial and social inequalities and injustices in the American justice system
In the ghetto babies having babies but no loot
Describing the negative impact of poverty and lack of resources on marginalized groups
So most pregnancies are terminated
Describing the harm and consequences of societal issues on women and marginalized groups
Warlocks keep the covernant
Describing how societal issues perpetuate harm and oppression to marginalized groups
And the souls of the ignorant ones empower it
Warning against the negative and harmful impact of ignorance in society
It's transparent
Highlighting how societal issues are clear and impactful
You see Uncle Sam as your parent
Critiquing the dependence and control of the government over marginalized communities
When Amerikkka has beef you jump up to defend it
Describing the problematic nationalism and patriotism in American society
But you can still be a defendant
Highlighting the flaws and issues in the American justice system
Ask my co-defendant
Referring to the flaws and issues in the American justice system
And we're both innocent
Critiquing the flaws and issues in the American justice system
Every black man in Amerikkka faces imprisonment
Highlighting the racial and systemic inequalities and injustices in the American justice system
Ridicule, and torment
Describing the negative and harmful impact of systemic oppression and prejudice in society
But in this tournament
Describing the struggle and fight against systemic oppression in society
The chosen few shall be triumphant
Hoping for the triumph and success of those fighting against oppression in society
And the devil will be decapitated
Metaphorical reference to the defeat and end of those perpetuating harm and oppression in society
So you can keep your (?duckets?)
Rejecting the superficial and materialistic nature of societal norms and trends
And your (?dressing?), I won't be emasculated
Rejecting the societal norms and expectations of masculinity and power in society
In this world of...
Highlighting the dangers and harms of societal norms and trends
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KENDRICK J DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind