Without compromising his own street credibility, Jeru on WRATH OF THE MATH chastises other rappers who glorify gang life or portray playa images with their lyrics. On the clever "One Day," he sets out on a mission to rescue a character named Hip-Hop who has been kidnapped by materialistic MCs. "Ya Playin' Yaself" is a slap at the fake, money-hungry individuals in the rap game, who could learn a thing or two from Jeru.

"This album," says the liner notes, "was created to SAVE hip-hop and the minds of people who listen to it." No empty boast, that. For rescue equipment, Jeru The Damaja has the art of the rhyme and the genius beat tactics of DJ Premier. Jeru has an obvious admiration for true hip-hop and the principles upon which it was created, and this follow-up to 1994's auspicious THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST goes a long way toward reinstalling positivity into hip-hop and putting the music back into the hands in which it belongs.

Without compromising his own street credibility, Jeru on WRATH OF THE MATH chastises other rappers who glorify gang life or portray playa images with their lyrics. On the clever "One Day," he sets out on a mission to rescue a character named Hip-Hop who has been kidnapped by materialistic MCs. "Ya Playin' Yaself" is a slap at the fake, money-hungry individuals in the rap game, who could learn a thing or two from Jeru.