So Wassup? Episode 33 | Jeru The Damaja - "Ya Playin Yaself"

In episode 33 DJ Premier takes us through the process of how "Ya Playin Yaself", from Jeru The Damaja was created.
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[@Igotcha05]

We need another Jeru and Premo album.

[@southjerseysfinest]

Facts

[@titanjake8640]

All day. But on some Sun rises in the east or Group home type vibe. I'm sorry to say Wrath of the math was a no go for me

[@harrypool71]

Absolutely

[@elijah7525]

Mad overdue

[@DLM323]

Very long over due, i love Jeru but not without Premier!

[@JuniorPolancoLaCoalicion]

Wrath of the Math eradicated the whole sophomore jinx myth. Brilliant from beginning to end. Premier is the heart of Hip-Hop.

[@davidcampbell215]

Ppl slept on that album

[@JuniorPolancoLaCoalicion]

@@davidcampbell215 Actually back then it was a big hit here in the underground community in the Dominican Republic, we played it endlessly, I had a radio show in 88 5 FM and played most tracks regularly, as well as in every party we would hold, but probably you mean commercially speaking, then again I do remember the video for Playing Ya Self on Mtv and all so it did get its fair share of play. To paraphrase Frederick Douglass, good musical taste is a road seldom travelled by the multitude lol. The masses are distraught most of the time

[@nuttinbuttdafonk]

Preem, Pete & 9th - the triad.

[@jowhit226]

@@JuniorPolancoLaCoalicion I loved that album too back in the day. As well as his first one. Who do you guys like now as far as hip hop goes?

[@p-jaywade1333]

Did it really (eradicate the whole sophomore jinx) because the album sells on Wrath of the Math didn't do as well as The Sun Rises in the East that year.

[@AQuestionofCharacter]

One of the most genius reworkings of a beat ever. Completely changed the dynamics of sample chopping.

[@shawncharles6077]

Say it louder the idiots in the back please.

[@dj_jazzywhut]

Everything Jeru speaks on is unfortunately all that pollutes the industry these days. One of Preem's illest beats ever.

[@doderiolarkisso4038]

>illest beats ever really tho..lol. I could name a few on "moment of truth" that are more creative and sound better than this beat

[@OBDPVCR]

#JeruWasRight

[@shottashabazz6721]

I agree with you player.. Brotha Jeru dropped Science and Knowledge on both albums.

[@dj_jazzywhut]

@@doderiolarkisso4038 I said ONE of...learn to read bro.

[@doderiolarkisso4038]

@@dj_jazzywhut i can read quite perfectly, thank you. My reply still stands though lmao

[@unclelorrierg4986]

I can't believe after listening to both tracks for almost 30 years I didn't realise they used the same sample 😅 shame on me

[@leod8489]

Same😆

[@rcole718]

Laaaaaaaate.

[@joshuabrower2648]

Yeah man, same here.

[@stephenheath8465]

almost the same when Buckwild and Pete Rock using that same kenny burke sample back in 94

[@zncuentertainment712]

One of my favorite Jeru songs and one that's even more applicable today than in the 90's. The second verse should be listened to by 99.9% of the female rappers these days.

[@titanjake8640]

I agree the lyrics...

[@dantegood2195]

Why do they need to listen to Jeru, when Jeru never really sold any records, while todays current stars are making millions? It’s called the music BUSINESS for a reason.

[@zncuentertainment712]

@@dantegood2195 that mindset is part of the problem.

[@dantegood2195]

@@zncuentertainment712 - What mindset? You’re aging now. You’re not supposed to understand the music today’s teenagers like. Just like your dad, mom, and grandparents didn’t understand the rap you loved when you were a teenager.. When people age they need to maintain perspective from when they were young.

[@jowhit226]

@@dantegood2195 "Jeru never really sold any records, while todays current stars are making millions." But Jeru still has a reputation for creating one of the best hip hop albums of all time "The Sun Rises in the East." The album peaked at #36 on the US Billboard 200 and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. "Wrath of the Math" peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Those are great numbers! I honestly don't know if these albums went gold in the states, but they most likely have by now. I'm sure it went silver and gold over seas. And besides, record sales do not reflect whether an artist is great or not. If that were the case DJ Premier's albums and singles would be multi-platinum and diamond several times over. The masses do not always know what great art is. That is obvious by the garbage that is popular in the mainstream. "You’re not supposed to understand the music today’s teenagers like." But certain music is timeless. And 90's hip hop has more of that timeless quality than today's hip hop which is why a lot of people still listen to it and would even agree that it's some of the best hip hop ever created. Many of these people are teenagers born after the 90's and they love it as if it was just released!

[@williamcapone5457]

i would like to see "Afu Ra - Defeat" next, that beat was serious too!!

[@RASS_CL]

Dj PREMIER 🇨🇱🇨🇱💯🎤🏧

[@JuniorPolancoLaCoalicion]

That is one of my all time faves from Preem no doubt

[@titanjake8640]

Ohhhhhhhhh yes. Wirlwind through cities remix

[@volcomfreak111]

word one of the first preemo beats i heard and i still get goosebumps hearing it today!

[@audirs84]

Voodoo child ( premier remix ) !

[@glorifiedrhymes8338]

Afu-Ra the body of the life force album is massively slept on! 505 representative

[@sheltonalexander6785]

The humbleness and detail that Premo breaks down his own catalog is like watching Hip-Hop PBS.

[@BigAngryPhil]

Always liked how the sample was chopped in this song as opposed to a straight loop. Preem is like hip hop's uncle, just endless stories about how these dope tracks came to fruition. Props!

[@MonkeyMagicMonk]

The best Wu Tang video WuTang never did.

[@dannybx78]

"Player's Anthem" by Junior Mafia & "Ya Playin' Yaself" by Jeru The Damaja are both classics.

[@dantegood2195]

I’ll be honest. Im glad junior mafia and biggie got a hold of that sample before Jeru did.

[@DuckAlertBeats]

@@dantegood2195 You might be on your own with that one :)

[@dantegood2195]

@@DuckAlertBeats - Junior Mafia created a classic anthem with it. Ya played yourself was coo, but it was just a regular old underground type song.

[@mutedmutiny9542]

@@dantegood2195 but you have no idea what their song could have been had it used that sample. I mean yeah, jeru wasn’t really mainstream and it’s not likely that it would have been a huge hit like players anthem was, but it still could have been another unsung street classic like some of his other tracks. I agree players anthem is a classic but you never know what could have been had another scenario played out. You can’t go back and see what might have been, but who’s to say / maybe it would have been the song that blew Jeru up so everyone knew who he was and he had a huge hit. You never know.

[@dantegood2195]

@@mutedmutiny9542 - I think I have a pretty good idea since the song was always going to be “ya played yourself”. There’s no indication the concept would have been any different if premo used the original sample. The song was always going to be the same.

[@think3632]

Could you please do "One Day"...that IS still my joint! This is another classic What's Up!👏🏽

[@RASS_CL]

DJ PREMIER IS LEYEND 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱💯💥💥🔥🔥🔥🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱 CHILE

[@RASS_CL]

Aprendí a crear mis primeros beat escuchando a dj premier 💪🏧

[@adamq4234]

"We'll see if Puff knows what's up, cuz he's the one getting him drunk and fucking his mind up." Still one of my favourite albums

[@stefanbogdanovic590]

This song was the first song I've played in my new apartment! GangStarr Foundation forever! GangStarr forever!

[@peezismyname]

The best part of these videos is to hear how many people Premier shouts out. You can tell he's just a generous, grateful dude.

[@hakan3217]

its cool how Afu is talking with Premiers voice in the video of the song

[@DirtyInc.]

I swear it's such a blessing to have Premo take the time to tell us these stories week after week, being the legend that he is, such an important figure in hip hop culture. S/o to anyone and everyone who makes these videos possible, and of course to DJ Premier himself. Salute and Thank you! 🙏

[@DuckAlertBeats]

Yep

[@marcusgarrison6511]

M.O.P.....Handle Your Business....Because that beat in a baseline that DJ premiere did .... Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🚒🔥🚒🚒🚒🚒🔥🔥🔥

[@thecunninlynguist]

One of my fave Jeru songs

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

Jeru was ahead of his time on his sophomore joint: He talked about radical 3rd and 4th wave Feminism, girl's trips, girls living their best life going raw, the Juice and their mastermind controling ways, BET being sold to VIACOM, "disgusting" intellectual CD, a masterpiece., Black American CEOs ruining their artists (before Bad Boy Ent, Harrell's Motown post Jheryl Busby, and Uptown had subsided)

[@rogermoore27]

That album was something else!

[@pmidaz]

Jeru was the truth back then 💯

[@jasomeister]

"Scientifical Madness" was dope too

[@badnewzscubasteve]

This time period was the BEGINNING of the shift of Hip Hop from street corner rap to lavish rap.. to what it is today... this song is relevant to this day

[@danielrobinofficial]

I am a producer from the 90s based in Germany. The way you tell the stories, it‘s easy to understand the culture and relationships. Bless you and keep making those episodes.

[@JayFingers]

YES!! I see you, Primo! Washington between Greene & Lafayette. Clinton Hill represent! I was a block over on St. James Place - Biggie’s old street! I miss Brooklyn! 😭😭

[@griffizler]

I didn't realise these used the same sample! Great stories, classic jams 🔥🔥🔥

[@gtizzle7606]

I see that Sine album behind him. Big respect Primo

[@dom2er]

Knowledge wisdom understanding is the key to wealth💯👑wether on vinyl, cassette or cd this song has been on my play lists for over 2 1/2 decades

[@travellinman7374]

That "Now.." at 11:48 is perfectly placed..

[@apexone5502]

Back when I had first found out that the sample used was the same one Junior Mafia had used (years ago), my mind was blown. It shocked me how Preemo had made it sound completely different from the source.

[@housinauthority5258]

Preemo's beat is so much better!

[@elohkayee]

I always thought at the time, Jeru was like the last stand against the tide of commercialism in lyrics and image or corporation which Bad Boy helped make popular. Players and thuglife led to what we have today, a mass dilution of the art, knowledge wisdom and understanding. 1

[@stephenheath8465]

Jeru will always be a Underground Icon😎😎

[@jdnwritingmachine]

This is one of the illest beats ever

[@dmd1anddmd2]

the funny part of that song is the scratch at the end where it goes - "I Don'T Play"

[@DuckAlertBeats]

De La Soul

[@CPTMorada]

If Primo ever turned a blind eye it would be here. Everything about this track seems directed at Puffy's style and camp. What drove that sentiment on that album were lyrics like :" Let's see if Puff knows what's up, cause he's the one getting him drunk (hip hop) and fu∞¢ing his mind up." lol. Great tracks all around though!

[@triplezs6307]

yep he's speaking garbage here now that he's a made man

[@Soldierboy39]

👍

[@wilsvgaddiction4456]

Premo is one of the, if not THE greatest hip hop producer ever. It is incredible to hear the stories behind the music that formed the soundtrack of my youth. Love this series!

[@eafloe]

The sample flip, the video, the concept....Superb. You had to be there!

[@extraniceness]

I remember when “Ya’ Playin’ Yaself” dropped summer ‘96 Jeru was on one putting mad weak rappers on blast (and exposing wack rapper cliches.) At that particular time is when it felt you like you had to chose sides: get with that fake flossy x glossy Puffy jiggy ish or stay down with da underground and Ru was like a hip-hop super hero holding that torch! Saw him open for De La Soul that same summer and he even had a red, yellow and green cape! He was even freestyle battling dudes straight out the audience and crushing them live on stage! Jeru x Preemo = always ILL ISH!

[@nitomutan4593]

With all respect due to Primo, ‘One Day’ was on the B-Side of ‘Ya Playin Yaself’ (in Europe at least). Was on the same album, so it might have been recorded first, maybe it got pulled out on radio or on mixtape though. But even if, as Premier said, Jeru was about his word as far as naming directly the ones he’s aiming, Big ‘nem can’ t be excluded from the people that were dissed in ‘Playin Yaself’, it’s just a bigger picture. Shoutout to Clark Kent too, cause them chords he put on the Junior Mafia weren’t from the original sample.

[@munganduchivubwe]

Preemo is a genius

[@FlameBlue9016]

What a time to be alive musically.

[@DJ563]

Please give us a breakdown of Paula Perry’s ‘Extra Extra’

[@trevorjames4619]

On, “kick in the door”, Big also dissed…...of all people…preemo.

[@lewisalba7825]

Weak diss tho all he said he suprised he "you run with them " more of a shot at people he produced than anything , and big did it on a preem beat with preems acknowledgement so they was always on good terms

[@trevorjames4619]

@@lewisalba7825 yea but preem said he had to “stop the tape” on him and check big in front of everyone

[@theandrewarellano]

This is what I wanted Preme to mention in this clip.

[@geblokkeerd]

That beat in the background goes hard!

[@EffDinero8]

Glad I was knee deep in the no biting samples era. Kept everyone sharp & NOTHING sounded the same...

[@gabrieletaccioli9763]

Jeru's flow on this track Is One of the illest thing ever created, everytime the second verse starts I just melt. God bless Premiere for this series, keep It real man ❤️

[@GotDamBoi]

always loved this track and Tha Bullshit off this record

[@Drewbrowne]

DJ Premier is one of the dopest producers of all time. Salute to you.

[@bigrodneyakatrey]

Ex girl to the next girl is the one. Gotta hear that story

[@williamotey6707]

Yes!👊🏿

[@dantegood2195]

Good pick

[@bigrodneyakatrey]

The scratches and sample are unforgettable , next

[@FreshFruit12]

I can listen to Premier tell stories all damn day. Please don't ever stop making these.

[@REPOMAN24722]

Jeru has more talent than the whole of Junior Mafia combined.

[@elliottmatenge2128]

This is the only channel where i hit 'like' before every episode, it goes without saying!!!

[@MetZelRio]

Both songs are absolutely epic. What a coincidence though.

[@derr3alex]

video title - ya playin ya self, mentions Conspiracy and Players Anthem, then I put the 2 together before he explains it. the flip was too good. didn't even catch it umpteen years ago

[@blackmist1981]

As the weeks go by and these keep going, all I can think is classic after classic after classic after classic…

[@roblepper8418]

I never realized it was the same loop as the Junior Mafia track. Preme flipped that nice.

[@badnewsproduction01]

Thank you so much for talking about the actual sample. Such an integral part of the whole song. Much respect

[@posajnejkwahb]

Would like to shoutout the supreme editing where Preem says 'now' just as Jeru is opening the verse by saying that!

[@ninshaiTV]

Thought Preemo was gonna continue with “… I don’t push a Lex!…”

[@posajnejkwahb]

@@ninshaiTV haha that would have been it! 😆

[@nanner_B]

Wrath of the Math is an all time classic

[@StreetsDisciple01]

Scientifical Madness is one of the best songs

[@lesbridges3040]

Much love to puff daddy goodman, and the NFL out East is looking really good this year.

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

Gotta thank Preemo for making us witnesses to history. So many greats have come and gone without us knowing the story behind the music. So thanks for that Preemo.

[@ejgomes8311]

Jeru flow...is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@blackkid9498]

Song still go crazy😤😤😤

[@frankkoler1949]

I've been bumping wrath of the math past 2 weeks staright I still got the original cd almost 30 years of play. black cowboys beat is ridiculous!!! no one better then premier period

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

One Day. Love that song.

[@NaajiRahmbah]

Congratulations. You played yaself

[@dogsandyoga1743]

Man, I can literally can listen to these all day. Premo is a hip hop national treasure. Not only has he blessed us with countless tracks, the soundtrack to my life, he now hit us with the back stories

[@JesterBeats]

I still listen to jeru and afura

[@corywilliams458]

This funny!...this intro stops my video,whn it says "ok computer"😃😆

[@haydenprince8360]

this gotta be one of my favourite series on youtube period! Love hearing these stories preemo keep them coming!

[@rogermoore27]

Jeru's album is solid and timeless

[@djgcue]

Back in the 90's there were very few songs under 90 BPMs that were club joints. I could probably count them on one hand. Junior Mafia's "Player's Anthem" was definitely one of them.

[@lennycater7533]

Y'all hit up that like button for ya man !!

[@coreyano]

The power of memory

[@dkscott331]

Invasion and Whatever got sooo much play from me on the USS Arctic in 96'. Had my supervisor from New Orleans noddin to it afterwhile. Lmao

[@bruthajaydee5187]

Jeru is definitely one of my favorite emcees of all time. And it was both a pleasure and an honor type meet and hangout with him, Afu and Big Shug back in ‘96 when he was on the road promoting Wrath of the Math. He was telling me he and Afu trained for 3 weeks in Hong Kong prior to shooting this video. They did their own stunts and all. It blew my mind when I saw it afterwards.

[@X-Foundation]

OLD ENGLISH, KING OF BEERS! 2022

[@tonespliff]

🫡💾 CLASSIC!

[@__STVRRDST]

Still have the 12" with the acapella. 🙌 Thanks Preemo

[@benmisner6457]

Props to jeru shout to premo dap guru all pinnacle top notch talent. We need this in today sea of garbage

[@rogermoore27]

Every element of the back story was interesting.

[@pasqualesansonna]

Preemo fuckin’ genius

[@kas6345]

one of my 10 ten tracks.

[@JesterBeats]

Thank you for being you preem

[@killythebid3619]

Man I can't wait for Premo to do The Sixth Sense!!

[@bronzkhrome4024]

this shit right here was my time when I was inspired to chop up beats to the point you can't recognize what I've done, Love you primo, :)

[@snaggletooth1881]

The video for this track is the shyt!!!! ,👊

[@mopreme3605]

S/o to Jeru ☮️💟☯️

[@judgementfirechannel6400]

Dj premier is the best.

[@DmitryCee]

"Uncle Premo, could you read us a bedtime story?". Keep them coming,Premier!

[@sms130official]

One of my favorite songs ever. My jam! Salute to Jeru and Premo

[@illwisdom98]

yesss been waiting on this one! would love to see an episode on B.E.P Empire by Back Eyed Peas, back when they were good haha big up Premo loving the series!

[@simeonveselinov7819]

Great story behind that joint Thats a hip hop history masterclass

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

The BIG back story added so much more nuance and I love it. Because it gives us a picture and feel of the era. Which was like no other. On top of that your flip was so dope and clean, that I kind of appreciate it more. As always thank you for sharing Preemo.

[@williedunkley4026]

Was anyone else busting rhymes in the back of your mind to the background beat? That beat is banging!

[@ceromundo]

I remember this time so vividly and had an idea of the history. Thank you for sharing

[@bighou2359]

Come clean is the illist beat ever created.