Brand Nubian

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Brand Nubian
Brand Nubian at the knitting factory.jpg
Brand Nubian performing live in 2008
Background information
Origin New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active1989–1995, 1997–2000, 2003–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • DJ Alamo
  • DJ Sincere
  • DJ Stud Doogie

Brand Nubian is an American hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, composed of three emcees (Grand Puba, Sadat X and Lord Jamar), and formerly three DJs (DJ Alamo, DJ Sincere, and DJ Stud Doogie). Their debut studio album, One for All (1990), is one of the most popular and acclaimed alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s, known for socially conscious and political lyrics inspired by the teachings of The Nation of Gods and Earths. [1] In 2008, About.com placed the group on its list of the 25 Greatest Rap Groups of All Time. [2]

Contents

History

1989–1992

Brand Nubian formed in 1989 and their first single, "Brand Nubian," was released in 1989. Signed to Elektra Records by A&R man Dante Ross, their debut album, One For All , was released in 1990. Generally acclaimed, the album drew fire for militant Five-Percenter rhetoric on tracks such as "Drop the Bomb" and "Wake Up".[ citation needed ] The controversy helped selling in excess of 400,000 copies.[ citation needed ] A version of the Fab Five Freddy-directed video of the single "Wake Up," featuring a black man in white-face makeup, was banned from MTV. On that channel and from official WEA sources, this image was replaced by a Baptist preacher. [3] The singles "Slow Down," "All for One," and "Wake Up" all became hits on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks chart in 1991.[ citation needed ]

Shortly after the group's debut release, Grand Puba quarreled with Sadat X and Lord Jamar, and he left the group, along with DJ Alamo, to pursue a solo career. [4] Following this, Lord Jamar and Sadat X asked DJ Sincere to join the group in 1992. The same year, Puba released his solo debut, Reel to Reel .[ citation needed ]

At the end of 1992, Brand Nubian released the single "Punks Jump up to Get Beat Down". The track created controversy because of its homophobic content such as Sadat X's line "I can freak, fly, flow, fuck up a faggot/I don't understand their ways; I ain't down with gays". Despite this, the single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77.[ citation needed ] Later versions omitted the line and replaced it with different lyrics, including the version on the greatest hits compilation The Very Best of Brand Nubian.[ citation needed ]

1992–1996

In early 1993, Brand Nubian released their second album, In God We Trust , [4] which included the song "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down" and the number 92 Hot-100 single "Love Me or Leave Me Alone." That same year, the group's song "Lick Dem Muthaphuckas" was released as part of the Menace II Society soundtrack.[ citation needed ]

Brand Nubian's next release, Everything is Everything , was released in November 1994. [4] Reviews were mixed and sales mediocre, despite the top-40 Hot Rap Tracks singles "Word is Bond" and "Hold On".[ citation needed ] In 1995, Brand Nubian broke up and its members started solo careers in music and television.[ citation needed ] That same year, Grand Puba released his second solo album, 2000 , featuring another Billboard Hot 100 single, "I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are)," and Sadat X released his first solo album, Wild Cowboys , in 1996. [5]

1997–2000

Brand Nubian's original members reunited in 1997 and contributed "A Child is Born" to the Soul in the Hole soundtrack.[ citation needed ] In 1997, "Keep It Bubblin'" appeared on the Money Talks soundtrack.[ citation needed ] In 1998, Brand Nubian released the album Foundation on Arista/BMG Records. [4] It featured contributions from producers such as DJ Premier, Buckwild, Lord Finesse, and Diamond D. The lead single "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" became, at number 54, the group's highest-charting single on the Hot 100.[ citation needed ] In 1999, Grand Puba and Sadat X were featured on "Once Again", from the first Handsome Boy Modeling School record.[ citation needed ] In 2000, Brand Nubian once again teamed up with Buckwild of D.I.T.C., releasing the single "Rockin' It," after which the members, once again, pursued their solo projects.[ citation needed ] Sadat X released a solo EP in 2000, The State of New York vs. Derek Murphy.[ citation needed ]

2001–present

Grand Puba released his third solo effort, Understand This, in 2001, which received little attention.[ citation needed ] Brand Nubian reunited once again in 2004 for their fifth album, Fire in the Hole , released by Babygrande Records. Sadat X released another solo effort in 2005, titled Experience & Education, to mostly positive reviews. Jamar pursued his acting career, appearing on an episode of The Sopranos , as well as episodes of Oz , Third Watch , and Law & Order . Lord Jamar released his first solo album, The 5% Album , in June 2006, on Babygrande Records. Sadat X's third full-length album Black October came out in October 2006. In 2007, the group released an album titled Time's Runnin' Out , containing material recorded ten years earlier during the sessions for the 1998 Foundation album.[ citation needed ]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

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<i>In God We Trust</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1993 studio album by Brand Nubian

In God We Trust is the second album from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on February 2, 1993, by Elektra.

<i>Everything Is Everything</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1994 studio album by Brand Nubian

Everything is Everything is the third album from hip hop group Brand Nubian and the second released by the trio of Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Sincere. The album received mixed reviews and mediocre sales at the time of its release, despite a pair of popular singles, "Word Is Bond" and "Hold On." The album is completely produced by Lord Jamar except the Sadat X solo song "Alladat," which was produced by D.I.T.C. member Buckwild.

<i>Foundation</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1998 studio album by Brand Nubian

Foundation is the fourth album by hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 29, 1998, via Arista. The album marked the reunion of the four original members, Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo, who hadn't released an album together since their 1990 debut One for All.

<i>Fire in the Hole</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Brand Nubian

Fire in the Hole is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on August 10, 2004 via Babygrande Records. Recording sessions took place at State Street Studios in Brooklyn. Production was handled by members DJ Alamo, Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar, who also served as executive producer together with Chuck Wilson. It features guest appearances from Starr and Aisha Mike. The album made it to No. 57 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

Lorenzo Dechalus, known professionally as Lord Jamar is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, actor and podcaster. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Brand Nubian, which was formed in 1989. In 1996, he discovered Dead Prez and got them signed to Loud Records.

<i>The 5% Album</i> 2006 studio album by Lord Jamar

The 5% Album is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Lord Jamar. It was released on June 27, 2006 via Babygrande Records. Production was handled by DJ Preservation, Gensu Dean, Big Throwback, Bronze Nazareth, Reality Allah, Young Justice, and Jamar himself, who also served as executive producer together with Chuck Wilson. It features guest appearances from 40 Bandits, Horse, Kasim Allah, Popa Wu, Prodigal Sunn, Queen Tahera Earth, Raekwon, Reality Allah, RZA, Young Dirty Bastard, Young Justice, Lord Jamar's son Young Lord, and fellow Brand Nubian members Grand Puba and Sadat X. The album peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadat X</span> American rapper (born 1968)

Derek Murphy, better known as Sadat X, is an American rapper, best known as a member of alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.

<i>Black October</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Sadat X

Black October is the third solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X. It was released on October 3, 2006 through Riverside Drive Records. Recording sessions took place at The Thingamajig Lab, The Dojo and The Dewgarde Crib Of Hits in New York, at Rum Blanc Recordings LLC, at Hills Have Eyes Studio, and at Clutch Recordings. Production was handled by Scotty Blanco, Ayatollah, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D, DJ Pawl, DJ Spinna, Gensu Dean, Greg Nice, J-Zone, Marco Polo, Spencer Doran, The Asmatik and Vin The Chin, with Peter Agoston serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Big Meg, Boss Money Gangstas, Brand Nubian, Greg Nice and Tommy Gibbs.

<i>Understand This</i> 2001 studio album by Grand Puba

Understand This is the third solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba. It was released on October 23, 2001 through Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Acme Recording Studios in Mamaroneck, New York. Production was handled by Grand Puba and Lord Jamar. It features guest appearances from Tiffany Johnson, Khadijah Mohammed, The Restless, and fellow Brand Nubian members Sadat X and Lord Jamar. The album did not reach the Billboard 200, however, it peaked at number 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 12 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States. The album produced three singles: "Understand This", "Up & Down", and "Issues".

<i>Wild Cowboys</i> 1996 album by Sadat X

Wild Cowboys is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X of Brand Nubian. It was released on July 15, 1996 via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Greene St. Recording in New York, and at Chris Biondo Studios in Washington, D.C. Production was handled by Diamond D, Buckwild, DJ Ogee, Ali Malek, Ant Greene Father Time, Da Beatminerz, Dante Ross, DJ Alamo, Minnesota, Pete Rock, Showbiz and Sadat X himself. It features guest appearances from Shawn Black, DV Alias Khrist, Deda, Grand Puba, Kool Chuck, Money Boss Players, Tec, Sha Sha and Regina Hall. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

<i>Buckwild: Diggin in the Crates</i> 2007 compilation album

Buckwild: Diggin' in the Crates is a compilation of rare hip hop songs and remixes produced by Buckwild.

<i>Times Runnin Out</i> 2007 studio album by Brand Nubian

Time's Runnin' Out is the sixth album by Brand Nubian. It was released on August 21, 2007, on Traffic Entertainment and featured production from Grand Puba, Lord Jamar, DJ Alamo, and Lord Finesse.

<i>Brand New Bein</i> 2009 studio album by Sadat X

Brand New Bein' is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X. It was released on May 5, 2009, through Ground Original/Cold Heat Entertainment. Production was handled entirely by DJ JS-1 and Johnny Walker. It features guest appearances from Jak Danielz, Craig G, Buckshot, CL Smooth, C-Rayz Walz, KRS-One, Okwerdz, Poison Pen, Rahzel, Twan, and fellow Brand Nubian members Grand Puba and Lord Jamar.

<i>Retroactive</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Grand Puba

Retroactive is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba. It was released on June 9, 2009 via Babygrande Records. Production was handled by DJ PhD, Billy Brick, Big Throwback, Elements, Grant Parks, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and Grand Puba himself. It features guest appearances from his fellow Brand Nubian groupmates Lord Jamar and Sadat X, Kid Capri, Big Phill, Khadijah Mohammed, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Rell, Sarah Martinez, Talee and Tiffani Davis. The album did not reach the Billboard 200, however, it peaked at number 97 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

<i>Black from the Future</i> 2016 studio album by Grand Puba

Black from the Future is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on April 15, 2016 through Babygrande Records with distribution via iHipHop Distribution. Production was handled by Big Sproxx, DJ PhD, Vance Wright and Grand Puba himself, with Chuck Wilson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Isis Aja and Khadijah Mohammed.

This is the discography of American hip hop group Brand Nubian

References

  1. ↑ Steve Huey. "Brand Nubian | Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 2015-06-26.
  2. ↑ "The 25 Greatest Rap Groups". Rap.about.com. 2008-08-14. Archived from the original on 2015-04-05. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
  3. ↑ "YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2014-02-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 62. ISBN   0-7535-0427-8.
  5. ↑ Colin Larkin, ed. (2006). Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-531373-4.
  6. ↑ "Lord Jamar Reveals Brand Nubian + Grand Puba DJ Stud Doogie Has Died". HipHopDX. November 1, 2021.
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