Jeru The Damaja’s “Me Or The Papes” music video has officially launched on YouTube. The clip was made for a single from the Brooklyn rapper’s sophomore album, Wrath Of The Math, and arrives on the anniversary of its release in 1996. David Faustino and Marc Klasfeld directed the video, while longtime collaborator DJ Premier produced the track.
“Me Or The Papes” was the second single released from Wrath Of The Math, which followed Jeru’s 1994 debut, The Sun Rises In The East. DJ Premier produced both albums in full, extending a partnership that grew out of Jeru’s association with Gang Starr. The second record also included “Ya Playin’ Yaself,” “One Day,” and “Scientifical Madness,” with Afu-Ra appearing on “Physical Stamina.”
Across Wrath Of The Math, Jeru examined the commercialization of hip-hop alongside questions of knowledge, personal responsibility, and the pressures facing Black Americans. The album built on subjects introduced in his debut while carrying several ideas forward through related songs. “Physical Stamina” followed “Mental Stamina,” while “Revenge Of The Prophet (Part 5)” returned to the character associated with “You Can’t Stop The Prophet.” The record reached No. 3 on Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop albums chart and No. 35 on the Billboard 200.
Jeru’s recording career began with an appearance on “I’m The Man,” from Gang Starr’s 1992 album, Daily Operation. His subsequent single “Come Clean” helped lead to a deal with Payday Records and the release of The Sun Rises In The East. Reflecting on that period in an interview, Jeru described his work with Premier as a collaboration shaped by friendship and direct feedback, with the producer adapting beats to his taste. He also recalled recording at D&D Studios and taking an active role in developing his music videos, writing treatments and working with their creators on storylines and visual ideas.
Visit Jeru’s YouTube channel here.
