What makes Still Rising by Jeru the Damaja notable?

The album demonstrates Jeru's commitment to authentic storytelling in hip-hop, which resonated within underground circles and contributed to a resurgence in East Coast hip-hop themes. Despite limited commercial success, it received positive critical acclaim for its return to classic hip-hop values and has influenced later artists who seek deeper narratives in their music. Released in 2007, Still Rising is Jeru the Damaja's fourth studio album, following his 1999 project, Wrath of the Math. At this point in his career, Jeru was navigating a shift from the mainstream attention he garnered in the 90s to a more independent approach that emphasized his lyrical prowess and social commentary.

How many songs are on Still Rising?

Still Rising has 16 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Still Rising

Jeru the Damaja · 2007

55 min · 16 tracks · hardcore hip-hop

Raw and introspective, the album melds gritty beats with sharp lyricism reflecting on urban life and personal struggle.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Crack — This track showcases Jeru's incisive wordplay as he critiques the drug epidemic's impact on his community, melding personal experience with broader social commentary.
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Ghetto — In 'Ghetto,' Jeru explores the harsh realities of urban life through vivid storytelling, demonstrating his ability to paint pictures with his lyrics while maintaining a hard-hitting flow.
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History 101 — This track stands out for its educational approach to rap, where Jeru delves into historical injustices faced by marginalized groups, blending knowledge with compelling beats.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album features strong lyricism and cohesive themes, though its production is less polished than mainstream peers.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken intro that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
Several tracks feature minimalistic production with heavy bass lines and sparse instrumentation, allowing the lyrics to take center stage.
The last three tracks shift in mood, with 'Hold Tight' and 'Streets' providing a more somber reflection on urban life.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Intro 0:45
2 The Crack 2:16
3 The Prophet 4:07
4 Ghetto 3:17
5 Murdera 4:11
6 Quantum Leap 3:49
7 History 101 4:22
8 How Ill 3:32
9 Will Grow (interlude) 1:08
10 Dirty Bomb 3:55
11 NY 2:57
12 Juss Buggn’ 3:26
13 Airplay 3:51
14 Kick Rocks 4:18
15 Hold Tight 4:38
16 Streets 5:22

What to play next

Listen next

The Hammer

2014

Go back to

Divine Design

2003

Full Jeru the Damaja discography Artists like Jeru the Damaja

East Coast hip-hop hardcore hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata