365 Days of Song Recommendations: May 8

You Can’t Stop the Prophet — Jeru the Damaja

Short post today because I’m at my daughter’s soccer game. In Cleveland. And it’s hailing… in May. Fuck Ohio. I have fifteen minutes to make this comprehensible.

I had my 90’s-era hip-hop and rap playlist on for the drive. There’s a song in there that stops me cold — each and time I’m driving along merrily or mowing the lawn. Alien death rays light a fire under the accelerator, and I know what’s coming. Jeru the Damaja’s “You Can’t Stop the Prophet.”

Kendrick Jeru Davis is probably best known for his single “Come Clean” from his debut album The Sun Rises in the East — if he’s remembered much at all in 2021. Even though the record’s often included in broader lists of the greatest hip-hop records, Jeru’s an oft forgotten and influential MC from the golden era.

He first appeared on Gang Starr’s Daily Operation (1992) and his debut record dropped a year later, helping to catalyze (along with the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and Nas) the East Coast Revival. He’s been hailed as one of the most original rap artists of the 90’s. But then again there’s also that row with the Fugees about his song called “Da Bichez.”

I won’t get it into it because The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill always felt like the most overrated piece of forgettably popular neo-soul — and as a result of my endless repetition of the “I’m just not that into Lauryn Hill” refrain, I’m bound to be unbiased. I’ll stay out of the finer points of the argument beyond a preference for Jeru’s ability to captivate with a few sideways lyrics and offbeat delivery.

“You Can’t Stop the Prophet” reframes life in the ghetto as a daily, existential battle of superhero, The Black Prophet, versus his nemesis Mr. Ignorance.

I, leap over lies in a single bound (Who are you?)
The Black Prophet
One day I got struck by Knowledge of Self
It gave me super-scientifical powers
Now I, run through the ghetto
Battlin my, arch nemesis Mr. Ignorance
He’s been tryin to take me out since the days of my youth

It’s one of the boldest, most inventive creations of the 90’s rap era. Full of swagger and heady lyricism — but, and this is most important, it’s got a fucking infectious beat, alien death ray sounds, and a singular flow.

Back to my 11yo’s soccer game. Never fear, I’ll be back tomorrow with a Mothers’ Day-theme that also came to fruition during this same drive through the foothills.

“You Can’t Stop The Prophet” is the 128th song on the exclusive #365Songs playlist!