As the original dirty rotten scoundrel, Jeru the Damaja rose from the ranks of the Gangstarr Foundation to attain his own place in the hallowed halls of hip hop. With now-classic joints that range from "D.Original" to "Come Clean" and "Playin' Yaself," his Brooklyn style, self-aware delivery and take on the state of things has always resonated with fans the world over. The Mirror spoke to Jeru from the offices of Ashenafi Records in New York.