Jeru The Damaja: Tiny Desk Home Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
April 30, 2020 | Abby O'Neill -- Jeru the Damaja, the emcee who broke out in 1992 on Gang Starr's classic album Daily Operation, jumped at the opportunity to contribute to the Tiny Desk home concert series. He used the concert to share his inspiring philosophy of self-knowledge. Jeru drops lyrics about what it takes to achieve self-actualization in tough conditions for not just himself, but for the culture.
Jeru shares a medley of his classics including "Can't Stop the Prophet" and "My Mind Spray," His prescient lyrics remain as relevant as ever as he addresses the deepening fissures of socioeconomic inequalities exposed by the coronavirus crisis. He closes his set from his home in Berlin with a new song, "The Power," and offers up a message we all need: "No matter who you are, the power resides in you...We can overcome anything if you put your mind to it, you just can't get in your mind too much." The prophet cannot be stopped.
Want more? Feel free to visit Jeru at www.jeruthedamaja.com.
SET LIST
"Can't Stop the Prophet"
"Ain't The Devil Happy"
"Scientifical Madness"
"So Raw"
"My Mind Spray"
"IF"
"The Power"

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thanks for all the love, each and every one of you!!!

[@innertempleproductions]

It's truly reciprocal J.....Thank You

[@lxs1971]

Straight 🔥 🔥🔥

[@FederacionHipHop]

Thanks to you Jeru!! great message at the end of the concert! that was epic.

[@kikimarama6652]

One giant big up from Aotearoa New Zealand. As my people here say "Ko koe he Maunga"' You are a mountain...solid...legend!!!

[@brentoniverson1020]

We need this music all over again SUN.

[@alien.villager]

It's 2020 and Jeru is still ahead of time. 💜💯

[@manu5504]

Truth

[@BreuckelensFinest]

I disagree. I think he came out of a time when conscious hip hop was in its prime, but the power's that be made sure that great MC's that had something to say to uplift the culture was destroyed. And it was replaced with the dumbing down of our society. Soon after, came the retarding of the youth with negativity, destruction, gang banging & ignorance. Now look at where hip hop is. 98% of the new generation aren't saying much of anything.

[@gloryordeath1165]

@@BreuckelensFinest For sure. I miss the days of lyricists

[@dredlock3000]

Agreed!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@92kidnyc]

Criminally underrated mc of the 90’s! Sun rises in the east one of the best albums of the 90’s period! Jeru the Legend!

[@MelchizedekZadok]

One of the best albums ever

[@HeelsFTW]

Jeru is a hip hop treasure.

[@SHADOWNINE79]

💯

[@Wizdomisgold562]

This man sounds like no one and no one sounds like him. Originality.

[@nomxxx]

There's also Rakim

[@natedogg5708]

And theyre both still in their prime .. jeru needs to be poppin out some more legendary albums

[@stixstrumentalsthapradoosa6101]

Chris M FACTS THATS HIP HOP

[@stixstrumentalsthapradoosa6101]

N N 🤔

[@beygrimes5265]

Thank you Jeru for not cursing, gave my son a lesson in real hip-hop...

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Hey, Ben, you are welcome, I wanted it to be something that could be shared with the whole family!

[@mrzacat3tasm3xxxico20]

Look up K RINO 🔥from Houston , not 1 mutha d#€&£% cuss word on all his albums. Was hoping 2 hear black ice! Regardless this was a masterpiece. Stay Blessed ! NPR ! SALUTE!

[@djmoocha]

remember seeing Jeru tearing up the south bank in London on a summers afternoon about 5 years ago, was also impressed on how he replaced all the cursing with other words and got the kids there involved in the show, maximum respect was a killer show

[@joelgarcia5325]

On god what a display he made, crazy one of the godfathers salute for collabing with doble v G

[@DreiSkins101]

You gotta do a joint with black thought.

[@johnwalker5837]

There's nothing like Jeru,over a Preemo beat!!!

[@michaellundy5238]

Facts he was going crazy on over them beats by premo

[@SHADOWNINE79]

💯

[@tradingformation4371]

FAAAAAACCCCCTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!!!!

[@wumarik7512]

How does this guy not get more recognition? He's amazing

[@maccagrabme]

Because he speaks the truth.

[@doyadirty3804]

He did in the 90s

[@kchoodsta]

Probably because he stays in Germany

[@STIR-FRIED-SUBWAY-RAT]

I never thought I'd see Jeru the Damaja on NPR

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

STIR FRIED SUBWAY RAT yes indeed, This just made my morning and took me right back to 1996 .. the man the legend

[@kimhornhem5399]

he's making moves

[@mR_m1sch13f]

Never thought I'd see him again since highschool.... Definitely good to know he still making moves... In today's climate of hip hop that is.

[@83Adelaide]

Something for everyone on your friendly national public broadcaster 🤗

[@regend762]

RIght? Wow! Aplauso!!!

[@jamesbugg9420]

Massive respect to Tiny Desk for bringing us some hip hop legends....please do Krs One

[@jamesbugg9420]

Or Hiero

[@drunkengizzey7024]

Krs would be massive, love seeing some OGs like Jeru on here ✊🏿

[@nprmusic]

Thanks for the recommendation and the respect! We love bringing great music to the people. 🙌🙌🙌

[@Mr.-Sir]

Krs one will have over 1 million views within the first 10 minutes! Do it NPR! DO IT! 🙌🏾👍🏾

[@rebsiot]

@@nprmusic please bring him in... By All Means Necessary change my musical tastes in under an hour.

[@tselisomacheli7200]

Lots of love from Africa. Greatest.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

One Love to Africa, come check me performing more of my classics in my new series on my channel.

[@sandersanderson9325]

One of the best. All-time status.

[@greenfairynena6954]

One of the best gifts of this quarantine

[@Cannabis24hTV]

For sure💪🏠💚regards from Spain!!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

One Love!!

[@GROB-pz5tk]

The world needed this

[@scottporter1108]

Amen!!!!

[@dayne6563]

Jeru, You a legend! 1994, 'The Sun Rises in the East', Best believe a Hip Hop Masterpiece!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thank you!!

[@stephengalicia5465]

Might be the best hip hop album of all time! This was hot! Thanks Jeru

[@MuzikJunky]

“Wrath of the Math” was even BETTER! Peace.

[@jimmy2tones]

FACT!!!!!!! i remember blowing Ls and being in the zone when i was working out listening to it. CLASSIC!

[@image_comics9224]

Jeru hands down one of the best hip hop emcees ever so underrated..Keep spitting that 🔥 Jeru!!!

[@omarset2go]

One of the best to ever hold a microphone. Period.

[@d.c.4lifeking602]

he was dope, but not even in the top 50

[@stixstrumentalsthapradoosa6101]

Yeah no disrespect but he ain’t that dope gotta couple of songs I like buuuuuut

[@quirinaled2752]

Go write down that fifty man. Seriously...

[@theexpert5085]

All facts.. and anyone who says otherwise knows nothing bout hip-hop... period

[@meonly6471]

​@@stixstrumentalsthapradoosa6101 Sorry do you only have ten CDs in your collection as your Dead Wrong as Biggie said

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Can't Stop the Prophet* (1:16) 2:01 - *Ain't the Devil Happy* (3:36) 3:55 - *Scientifical Madness* (5:24) 5:51 - *So Raw* (7:25) 8:06 - *My Mind Spray* (9:26) 9:48 - *IF* (11:16) 11:57 - *The Power*

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

Thanks my g

[@greatmindsthinkalike1378]

Thanks👑👑👍

[@dustinsaidtoney2547]

They said it for me👍

[@LepshPlay]

Thanks =)

[@tyronepetrie]

Blessings to you Pentameron!!

[@Snulrich]

Everyone crying over one song when he played an amazing selection and had a really important message.

[@ZZealot]

Suddenly 2020 strikes back bringing a legend to the stage for a lesson on hip hop.

[@kendu1327]

One of the most underrated rappers ever. His style was crazy....

[@sicajessouca]

His style IS crazy :)

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Style is Crazy, I'm not dead yet😂 One Love!

[@yani2499]

@@JerutheDamaja1 🔥 Scientifical madness.

[@jwr754]

@@yani2499 The full version speaks truth today from 20 years back

[@mr.h.8915]

Reminiscing back in the days in Brooklyn.. Group Home, Jeru, Gang Starr.. Jeru still that raw original sound. Thanks Jeru & Thanks NPR !

[@nprmusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Brooklyn took It!!

[@sdka4488]

Group Home! Only real heads know... So good. Got to see them in South Chi w/ Common... Headlined by Nas... Who no showed!

[@urbanlady1.]

This was a pleasant surprise.

[@rebeccabrodkey]

Urban Lady best start to a Thursday morning in a while 👌🏼

[@dustinsaidtoney2547]

Word.👍

[@badnewzscubasteve]

Definitely

[@jdigital79]

'Nothing matters except for how we treat people' ..So true man.

[@Naturalbeingsiete]

Peace, love, and happiness I truly miss you my brother. The world needs a prophet now!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

I'm still here bro check my new joint Power on my channel and help spread the message to the world, I'm counting on you!! One love!

[@timmyreg]

So glad I was in my early teens to experience the emergance of Jeru and The Sun rises in the East.

[@thomasmonstalamoree31]

I honestly cant believe how good he sounds..wow good for him!

[@yomommastupid]

what were you expecting?

[@advantage8851]

I mean...he's only 48.

[@migthymax9]

I haven't heard this guy in years!

[@SHAKA-NEU-LU]

Jeru still damagin’. Sun rises in the East is one of my all time favorites

[@washingtonariza3384]

Jeru, you were always ahead of your time. Your intellectual always been universal, nice to see you're in good health my brother.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thanks, bro!!

[@SomeOneSeen]

“D. Original Dirty Rotten Scoundrel & Gang Starr Member”!!! For the True Classic OG Hip Hop heads!!! Respect NPR 🙏🏼🙌🏼🤘🏼

[@mrsapplez2007]

YAAAAAAAAAAAS

[@nprmusic]

Thank you!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

One Love!!

[@hlr1970]

Jeru The Damaja do you reside in Germany now? I’m thinking of relocating in a couple of years. Lived there (Frankfurt) in the early 90s and love that country. Peace brother ✊🏾

[@SomeOneSeen]

@Jeru The Damaja... Much respect and props for dropp’n knowledge and science... Stay safe and blessed!!! 🙏🏼

[@familyfirst7027]

Dude was a beast back in my day

[@nathandarby4580]

Still is

[@peteyb8556]

This is something you like before it even starts.

[@J-EASTMUSIQ]

One of My favorite MC,...Jeru,....still they cant stop the Prophet!!!!🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@rockingflow1977]

JERU THE DAMAJA LEGEND IS IN DA HOUSE. So much loooove🔥🔥🙏🏾❤. Real hip hop

[@Unuigbey1]

Well since the COVID lockdown, he IS in the house!!

[@edkbmr1]

I see there was a few sucker's who disliked this great post. Jeru the damaja is the truth!!!!! Got to hire him for one of my shows !!!!

[@KhamisiFox]

Jeru The Damaja has always been a lyrical cerebral poetic assassin. A very underrated master of rap and verse. Still doin it so its true. Cant stop the Prophet. Salute!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thank you!! one love!!

[@CainaanDC]

NPR knows real hip hop .

[@WiiNV]

Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Wu-tang was a Joke! L😷L

[@naphtaliaikens2565]

Truth

[@constancemattheus4464]

What a surprise 👏👏👏 Yes, the superhero is in us! Heart greetings from Hamburg

[@DimaggioVR6892]

IMAGINE IF JERU AND THE GENIUS DROPPED AN ALBUM TOGETHER - OMG!!!

[@ewilliams19]

Sheeeeeeeeeeshhhhhhhhh!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BlackTyeChi]

DJRIZZ1977 add black thought into the mix

[@jimski1]

Thanks, the flow is still flowing. Timeless classics

[@DEVINEJUSTICEALLAH72]

JERU THE DAMAJA HAS ALWAYS BEEN LYRICALLY NICE!!

[@samtam77]

78 haters disliked this. They don’t know REAL Hip Hop music!

[@FloFokuz]

its only at 94 now, some of them must have had kids...

[@17thSonSchaefer]

Man, ain’t that the truth...

[@gardensofthegods]

Yeah the man is brilliant

[@chosenfewpetsnaturetech1927]

Marcus Williams they needed to check the album cover pics and the dates, for the 3 eye to be open

[@Anti_wokeness]

But i hate loops. I like what he's saying in a poetic sense but I hate the way other people's music is being used and chopped up and looped. Music is played by musicians I just can't do this. But he writes good poetry.

[@theSeaWillDecide]

FAN-TASTIC. How anyone can dislike this, is beyond me. A true hip-hop pioneer, often underrated.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thank you, come check me performing more of my classics in my new series on my channel. One love!

[@tedvandekamp6432]

Ain't the devil happy was the first song I heard from Jeru and I was hooked ever since...............straight classic and my personal favorite song of his.

[@mrmikeceo]

One of my favorite MC’s

[@ra-sett.7142]

salute Jeru one of the unsung Heru's of hip-hop....God's and Earth's music

[@cjhepburn7406]

The God's and the Earth's?

[@numbaeight]

word is bond Jeru The Damaja, No one can't stop the Legendary MC !! One Luv

[@MrLionelg33]

Salute To Jeru The Brooklyn Hip Hop LEGEND.

[@MickayG]

Wow! Jeru on NPR! That's a nice surprise... old skool real hip-hop! Dude sounds great, not many rappers sounds the same live as they do on record. BIG UP!

[@SumumbaSobukwe]

Super dope...definitely top 10 greatest of all time

[@aimdownscope3663]

One of my favourite artists back in the day.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

I can still be your favorite artist Homie check my new joint POWER it is on my channel right now subscribe and show Love. One Love!

[@Valautaf]

'' It's like black mirror and twilight zone had a baby and we got stuck watching that baby and it's sucks. '' The Damaja 🥋

[@jahkeeli]

Just want to thank NPR Tiny Desk for showing so much love to 90's hip hop from this 90's hip hop kid.

[@MrMike4369]

Best thing on the internet today (and tomorrow probably)

[@PbP2521]

One of the greatest M.C.'S of all time GOD BLESS Jeru keep telling them to "Come Clean" peace!!!!!

[@henryhill6637]

God this was excellent. Miss real hip hop .

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Thank you!!

[@henryhill6637]

@@JerutheDamaja1 very welcome.

[@jeremymccorkel5744]

Thanks Jeru for blessing us with this, representing for the OG hip hop cats. When hip hop was about LYRICS!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

You are welcome!

[@WarnaBeats]

Living legend🙏🏽💯💯🔥

[@Machihekamake]

Jeru!! Back from the 90s, thanks for sharing your gift.

[@JAye365]

The nostalgia is refreshing!!! The dislikes come from the ignorant.

[@WarDisciple1]

yeah they probably think blue face is the best MC of all time. Bro people are are entertained by their level of intelligence.

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

One of the most underrated lyricists of all time.

[@islandmanmikep]

I love when a legend keeps his skills sharp.

[@DMoney505]

My mind spray!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 The sun rises in the East - CLASSIC! Still in heavy rotation over here!! Scientifical madness really applies in these times we’re living in now, It was ahead of its time when it was released!! Salute JERU!!!!!

[@sty723]

I haven't heard Jeru in like 25 years! I remember bumping his CD, Wrath of the Math before I got knowledge of self. Can't Stop the Prophet brought me back to when I had a Discman.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

I'm still here!! One love

[@SHADOWNINE79]

@@JerutheDamaja1 Peace and blessings to you king 🙏🏾

[@triborogigolo]

First 2 jeru x preemo albums are classics . Bklyn's finest salute to jeru & npr music for this 🙌

[@hencan23]

One of my top 5. Happy for this!!! We need a new Jeru and Primo album...please!!!

[@djlueck]

Been a fan since I was about 12 years old. Love Jeru. Thank you for this.

[@dolucasduarte]

great! been listening to Jeru for years. “The Sun Rises in the East” is a classic. shout out from Brazil!

[@GROB-pz5tk]

Jeru for real the GOAT

[@patrikflores]

The tiny desk I never thought I’d get!

[@BreuckelensFinest]

One of my favorite MC's of all time. Brooklyn's own.

[@mrmortgage]

Thank you for blessing us Brother Jeru. You're a hip-hop king and living legend.

[@chompmafia]

THANK YOU!!!!!! This is the gift of all gifts for myself and probably many others... you cant stop the prophet!!!

[@JerutheDamaja1]

You are welcome tony!!

[@MA1.5]

I missed this sound!!! Hip hop and rap has changed so much.

[@EricEustace]

All you have to do is look on KZbin. There's So much great underground hip hop from back in the day!

[@MA1.5]

EDoubleO I have 2 CD books full of 90s hip hop, but my collection isn’t as extensive as I thought. I forgot all about Jeru!

[@EricEustace]

@@MA1.5 nice! I have alot of stuff on Vinyl. Have you heard any of the new Eric sermon /masta ace/black moon or gangstarr? They still got it!

[@ravenousblackbird5778]

True Hip Hop, Underground Lyricist!!! You have remained the same to Hip Hop. I love deep, spiritual, subliminal rhymes! I've watched, listened & followed you for years. Thank you.. Your music is timeless and UNTOUCHABLE!!!! 🔥💯

[@JerutheDamaja1]

Much gratitude, check my new joint POWER!! OneLove!!

[@ravenousblackbird5778]

@@JerutheDamaja1 You got it! 💯

[@babylonbwoy5715]

It is incredible how his voice didn't change, even the way he spit, no difference at all comparing to 20 or 30 years ago !

[@sicajessouca]

The best home concert yet 🔥Legendary Jeru the Damaja

[@Aziqewa]

Loving this adaptation to Home concerts, great way to keep music booming!

[@nprmusic]

Thanks! We're happy to be getting these home concerts out!

[@ohsopro]

2024 Jeru Hip Hop needs you!!

[@ginoblackofficial]

Just watching this in 2021. So glad I discovered this! Jeru The Damaja is still the illest. 🎤

[@JeffreyAdamiDrums]

What a legend

[@jahmic]

I was just listening to The Sun Rises in the East this morning...so good to get a heavy dose of Jeru today!

[@onyxcitadel9759]

Power & IF are dope~! Thx for that Jeru~! Rly missed ya around.. grew up on your songs. Guess we all get old.. time passes by.

[@coryhawkz104]

Wicked ....old days just come back ......Jeru Bless

[@TheZoppy47]

I'm glad the he addresses the current plague of idleness. There is no contest in productivity, and we should understand that some folks do need time to recover. That said, I'm tired of hearing healthy people say they're bored when they've sat around for two weeks without trying to create a thing.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Take me back to 94, good to see Jeru still doing his thing

[@clwashington35]

Man!! One of my favorite rappers of all times. Can't stop the prophet!

[@AHDONI]

Growing up in NJ watching the profit video on the “BOX”. I must have ordered that joint 100 times.

[@dariangregory6182]

Tiny Desk gets another Gold Star for this one.

[@stewrmo]

Mans so fly he got his own Toblarone.

[@JerutheDamaja1]

😂 🤣😂 🤣😂 🤣one love!!

[@rockintoes]

Matching socks and t-shirt as well, baller!

[@joestein72]

lol! nice one

[@6thElementComics]

You a fool for that yo! 😂🤣😂 Said he got a Toblarone wit his name on it!

[@TheTonesurge]

Jeru is a legend of hip hop and he is recognized for his prowess all over the world. I remember being floored when I heard him on a guest for a track with Violadores del Verso (Solo Quedar Consuelo) when I was a student in Spain in 2005.

[@DynomastersChannel]

Ayeeee I liked how he changed Ebola to Corona o_o improvising game 1000%

[@teareeutley3770]

He went it🎙🎧🔥🔥

[@DreiSkins101]

Jeru you gotta do a joint with black thought.

[@cjhepburn7406]

Absotruthly. Cj 168

[@juogi877]

mos def

[@wesleyhoskins2228]

That's a thought

[@eddiearaya2456]

Great idea! Make it happen anybody.

[@ClasherSports]

they were supposed to form a group back in the day.. Jeru, Blackthought and Common..... what could have been....

[@darioguillen2145]

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Respect from Mexico city thanks a lot!

[@wwjnz9263]

Jeru is one of my all time favorite Emcees. Good to see him alive and well. And most importantly, he's still rockin the Mic.

[@desert123100]

Jeru is a legend

[@sofigasteasoro]

This was a great, yet unexpected way to start the day. Thank you NPR for bringing Jeru!

[@nprmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@SAGITTARIUS312]

I been in MY MIND too much. THANKS for pulling me out the 😈’s WORKSHOP!

[@theexpert5085]

Nothing but mad respect to the God MC....i been here since 97' still bumping JERU