“I was rapping for years at that point but Gang Starr, both [DJ] Premier and Guru, are definitely the ones that gave me my chance. I can’t forget that.” Now a hungry older rapper, he was known for openly calling out commercial forces like Diddy and his Bad Boy Records and others who he saw as watering down the culture. Since dropping the undisputed classic albums The Sun Rises in the East and Wrath of the Math, along with anthems like the minimalist Come Clean, he has consistently dropped solid if overlooked independent projects and continues to tour prolifically.
His hip hop journey now brings him back to Australia for the second time only in his 20 year career, including a stop at the Espy this Friday. Describing his last experience as both “crazy” and “beautiful” it’s clear that Australia made an impression on him. “The reception and the people were excellent, everything. Australia’s a great place for hip hop.” He tells his Aussie fans to expect an authentic hip hop experience. “It’s going to be just live energy, it’s gonna be incredible and we’re gonna have such a great time.”
While relatively softly spoken in conversation, Jeru’s passion is still evident. As we endure a fuzzy connection he talks excitedly about his latest work. “I’ve got two projects at the moment. I’m working on a global project with a bunch of Polish MCs and producers. Then I’m also working on my own solo project,” he says from his home in Brooklyn. The process of working with his Polish brethren was an organic one, as their shared passion for music brought them together.
“It’s not over the internet, I actually know them and I’ve been to Poland in the studio and we did the tracks.” A cultural union between Poland and Jeru’s native land, the unique project also features some of Jeru’s American counterparts, including fellow veterans O.C, Ju Ju of The Beatnuts and Lil Dap of Group Home. Interestingly he achieved some of his most recent success on the Polish charts, appearing alongside veteran group Slums Attack on the track Oddalbym. Even if your Polish is rusty or non-existent, the track is an instant head nodder and serves almost as a homage to his past work. Jeru is proud to serve as a global ambassador for hip hop, something that he takes seriously.
“I like to show that hip hop is global and that’s what I’m doing. I’m showing that hip hop is everywhere in the world, it’s not just in America or English speaking countries, it’s also in some countries you’d never even think of.” As the expansion has continues it has been five years since his last solo project, 2007’s Still Rising. “Man I’ve just been doing a lot of touring and I’ve been working on my photography. I’m looking at becoming a great photographer.”
This is yet another side to an artist who has been more known for creating imagery with his words. He is approaching it with the same dedication as he has his music career. “I’ve been working on the photography for some years now. It’s not just a hobby thing, I’m trying to do it in a more professional way and I actually have some exhibition stuff that I’m working on.”
Ahead of his return down under The Damaja has been spreading the hip hop gospel in places as geographically and culturally spread apart as Russia and Akron, Ohio. “I’m pretty much all over the world spreading the hip hop,” he exclaims. “Russia is off the chain. They’re very receptive, they love hip hop music.” Despite the geographical divides Jeru is pretty confident in his MCing abilities and the support of his fans. “Any place that Jeru The Damaja rocks is pretty good. People like how I rock and they come to see real hip hop. So I think wherever I’m at I get the same reception.”
The universal language of hip hop is enough to bridge any gaps there may be and ultimately it’s about the shared passion between artist and audience. “If you are into the music that is what is going to come across. It doesn’t matter where you’re at. It’s always said there’s only two types of music, good music and bad music. That’s what matters.”
His travelling has allowed him to feel the appreciation fans outside of his home country feel for hip hop. “I think some people [in the US] totally overlook hip hop because they’re so used to it and they’re so used to having everything, so we just don’t appreciate it as much.” His Aussie audience will be more than ready to show that love back.
BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
