Wrath of the Math

Infobox Album | Name = Wrath of the Math
Type = Album
Artist = Jeru the Damaja


Released = October 15, 1996
Recorded = 1996
Genre = Hip Hop
Length = 51:24
Label = PayDay/FFRR/PolyGram Records
124 119
Producer = DJ Premier
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:9tapqjouojda link]
*"The Source" Rating|3|5 December, 1996, p. 126
*"Entertainment Weekly" January 10, 1997, p. 58| Last album = "The Sun Rises in the East"
(1994)
This album = "Wrath of the Math"
(1996)
Next album = "Heroz4Hire"
(1999)

"Wrath of the Math" is the second album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja.

Album information

The album was completely produced by DJ Premier and continues the themes of Afrocentricity, preserving hip hop culture and the harms of materialism that were discussed on "The Sun Rises in the East".

In its liner notes, it even says "this album was created to SAVE hip-hop and the minds of the people who listen to it."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1160477&BAB=E | title = Wrath of the Math at CDUniverse.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 20 | accessyear = 2006] One significant track that intends to uphold Jeru's vision of hip hop is "One Day," where Jeru tells a story of Puff Daddy and Foxy Brown kidnapping somebody named Hip-Hop.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1160477&BAB=E | title = Wrath of the Math at CDUniverse.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 20 | accessyear = 2006]

It contains many tracks that are sequels to songs on Jeru's debut album such as "Revenge of the Prophet (Part 5)," "Me or the Papes" and "Physical Stamina" featuring Afu-Ra. Afu-Ra is the one guest emcee on this album just as he was on Jeru's debut album.

Reception

It was well-received, but is not as critically acclaimed as his debut album. John Bush of Allmusic is one of the few critics who feels that it is "usually just as strong as" Jeru's debut album.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnv1z8haoyv4 | title = Wrath of the Math at Allmusic.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 20 | accessyear = 2006]

Entertainment Weekly (1/10/97, p.58) - "Combined with DJ Premier's head-bobbing minimalist funk, Jeru tells it like it is like no other." - Rating: B+

Vibe (11/96, p.153) - "Armed with a prophet's sense of social responsibility, Webster's vocab, and the best beats in the business....Jeru's at his best...when he fights playa-ism with its most potent weapon: sharply visual, action-packed narrative."

The Source (12/96, p.126) - 3 Mics - Good - "Returning with an unabashed intolerance for the artistic moves of some well-known rap figures....Jeru The Damaja proves that his musical compositions are too mentally stimulating to be ignored."

Melody Maker (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #43 on Melody Maker's list of 1996's `Albums Of The Year.'

Track listing

ingles chart positions

References