Come Clean Lyrics

[Sampled Hook]
Uh-oh! Heads up 'cause we're dropping some shit!
(Scratched x5)

[Verse 2]
Real, rough and rugged, shine like a gold nugget
Every time I pick up the microphone I drug it
Unplug it on chumps with the gangster babble
Leave your nines at home and bring your skills to the battle
You're rattling on and on and ain't saying nothing
That's why you got snuffed when you bumped heads with Dirty Rotten
Have you forgotten I'll tap your jaw?
I also kick like kung fu flicks by Run Run Shaw
Made frauds bleed every time I G'd
'Cause I've perfected my drunken style like Sam Seed
Pseudo psychos, I play like Michael Jackson
When I'm busting ass and breaking backs
Inhale the putrified aroma
Breathe too deep and you'll wind up coma‒
Toast
the king I'm hard like a fifth of vodka
And bring your clique 'cause I'm a hard rock knocker
I gotcha out on a limb, about to push you off the plank
Let you draw your chronz but your burner shot blanks
When the East is in the house you should come equipped

[Sampled Hook]
Uh-oh! Heads up 'cause we're dropping some shit!
(Scratched x9)

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About

Genius Annotation

A year after his debut on Gang Starr’s “I’m the Man”, Jeru kicked off his solo career with this classic single from 1993.

The hook is from Onyx’s “Throw Ya Gunz”.

The beat was created specifically for Jeru by Premier before the topic of the song was even chosen.


In this mini-documentary – released by Complex Magazine – he, DJ Premier and fellow artists & Hip Hop journalists talk about this song, its process and its legacy.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Jeru the Damaja say about "Come Clean"?
Genius Answer

DJ Premier via Complex:

Guru wanted six artists on Gang Starr Foundation. He said, ‘I’m going to sign three, and you’re going to sign three.’ I never got my three. So I said, ‘Let’s start with your three.’ It was Big Shug, Group Home, and Jeru. Jeru was the most ready, so we started with him. I cooked it up, and I thought about putting some melodies to it, but Jeru’s so grimy and hardcore, the beat was perfect for him. He didn’t need any extra keyboards, or melodic sounds. It just sounded raw, and no one made a beat like that. And I ended up making two albums with [Jeru]: The Sun Rises in the East and Wrath of the Math. I stopped working with Jeru because of business issues. I keep business and friendship separate all the time. So I was like, ‘Let’s just chill, and we’ll keep it cool.’ And we’re still cool to this day.

Credits
Produced By
Engineer
Assistant Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Executive Producer
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Performance Rights
Mixed At
Recorded At
D&D Studios (New York City)
Release Date
October 21, 1993
Songs That Sample Come Clean
1, 2 Pass It (Remix) by D&D All-Stars (Ft. Doug E. Fresh, Fat Joe, Jeru the Damaja, KRS-One, Mad Lion & Smif-N-Wessun), Intro (Monkee Bizniz Vol. 3) by Bassi Maestro, Oficiais Mc's by Mind da Gap, Original Woman by Shabba Ranks, Come Clean by 38 Spesh (Ft. Flee Lord & Musolini), Stronger by Marsha Ambrosius (Ft. Dr. Dre), Tutorial A.K.A Casino (Instrumental) by Kase.O, CALLDROPS by A$AP Rocky (Ft. Dean Blunt & Kodak Black), Aural S(ECT)s by Count Bass D, El Presidente by ​dj honda (Ft. Jeru the Damaja), We Shine by Da Ruckus (Ft. Eminem), Tru Master by Pete Rock (Ft. Inspectah Deck & Kurupt), Year of the 9 by Brother Arthur, Bronx Tale by Fat Joe (Ft. KRS-One), Suffolk's Most Wanted by Diabolic (Ft. R.A. The Rugged Man), Comme une sarbacane by La Cliqua, Statik by Jeru the Damaja, Rapfilm by Kool Savas, Flexi With Da Tech(nique) by Artifacts, Off Rip by Big Shug (Ft. Singapore Kane & Termanology), Do the Math by Mykill Miers (Ft. Rakaa Iriscience), Mortal Combat by Soul Kid Klik, The Mind by Chubb Rock, Take a Look Around by The B.U.M.s (Brothas Unda Madness), Souffrir by Daddy Lord C, The Platform by Dilated Peoples, Danger by Blahzay Blahzay, 99.9 Pa Cent by Jeru the Damaja, Microphone Master (41st Side Remix) by Das EFX (Ft. Mobb Deep), Don't Get Carried Away by Busta Rhymes (Ft. Nas), Bringing it Back (Esoteric Remix) by Esoteric (Ft. Mic Stylz), Rhythm Blunt Crew by Cru (Group), Band Practice by 9th Wonder (Ft. Phonte), Honest Expression by Binary Star, My Mind Spray by Jeru the Damaja, Freaky Flow by Shaquille O'Neal (Ft. General Sha & Mr. Ruffneck), Freaky Flow by Special Ed, Tutorial A.K.A Casino by Kase.O, Counter Parts by Swollen Members (Ft. Dilated Peoples), Say What by Method Man (Ft. Missy Elliott), Flow y venganza by Portavoz (Ft. Cidtronyck), Freaky Flow 1995 Remix by Daddy Lord C (Ft. La Cliqua), D. Original by Jeru the Damaja, Bitch With A Perm by Tim Dog, Check The Flow by L. Fly, Infinite Potential by ATMA, Brainwash Reversal by Chopp Devize (Ft. Canibus), Freaky Flow (DJ Premier Remix) (Radio Edit) by Special Ed, Freaky Flow (DJ Premier Remix) (Instrumental) by Special Ed & Danger (Remix) by Blahzay Blahzay
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