Dead Prez is an American hip hop duo composed of M-1 and stic.man, formed in 1996 in New York City. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with lyrics focused on both militant social justice, self-determination, and Pan-Africanism. The duo maintains an ethical stance against corporate control over the media, especially hip hop record labels.
Brand Nubian is an American hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, composed of three emcees, and formerly three DJs. 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. In 2008, About.com placed the group on its list of the 25 Greatest Rap Groups of All Time.
Maxwell Dixon, known professionally as Grand Puba, is an American rapper and record producer, best known as a member of Brand Nubian from New Rochelle, New York. He was formerly a member of Masters of Ceremony.
Ugly Duckling is an American hip hop group that formed around 1993. Ugly Duckling's members include Dizzy Dustin, Young Einstein and Andy Cooper. The band decided to take the name Ugly Duckling because they felt like outcasts in the hip hop scene of the mid-1990s. According to the book How to Rap: the Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, it is one of the most prominent underground hip hop groups.
Positive K is an American MC and songwriter from the Bronx, New York City, New York, and one of the original artists of the First Priority Music camp. He is best known for his hits "I'm Not Havin' It" and his 1992 hit "I Got a Man".
One for All is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian, released on December 4, 1990, by Elektra Records. The album was highly acclaimed for its politically charged and socially conscious content. Sales never matched the wide acclaim — the album has only sold 350,000 copies as of May 2013 — but it has remained in print since its 1990 release. The album is mainly produced by Brand Nubian, but it also features production by Skeff Anselm, Stimulated Dummies, and Dave "Jam" Hall. The album's production contains many motifs of hip hop's golden age including James Brown-sampled breakbeats and funky R&B loops. The album is broken down track-by-track by Brand Nubian in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.
In God We Trust is the second album from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on February 2, 1993, by Elektra.
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.
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.
Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992, through Elektra Records. The recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal, and at The Hit Factory in New York. The album was produced by Grand Puba, Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri, and the Brand New Heavies.
Derek W. 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.
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".
"Runnin'" is a 1995 song written and performed by rappers 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Stretch, Dramacydal and reggae superstar Buju Banton. Recorded in 1993, the song holds significance as one of the few songs 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. recorded together prior to hostility arising between the two rappers. The song, originally slated to appear on 2Pac's 1993-1994 shelved solo album that later turned to be Me Against The World, then on Thug Life's 1994 debut album, Thug Life, Volume I, was scrapped both times due to varying controversies. It was later featured on the 1995 One Million Strong compilation album. It charted at #81, #57 and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks & Hot Rap Singles charts, respectively.
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.
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.
The Very Best of Brand Nubian is the first greatest hits album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 18, 2001 through Rhino Entertainment. Production was handled by members Grand Puba, Lord Jamar and Sadat X, as well as Diamond D, Stimulated Dummies and Chris "CL" Liggio, with Barry "Rockbarry" Benson serving as compilation producer. It features a lone guest appearance from Diamond D.
"Slow Down" is a song by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. The song was recorded in 1990 and was released as a single on their 1990 debut album, One for All. "Slow Down" was later featured on the group's compilation album, The Very Best of Brand Nubian. The song notably samples the guitar riff and part of the chorus from "What I Am" by Edie Brickell. The song also samples "Let's Take It to the Stage" by Funkadelic, as well as "Kool It " and "N.T." by Kool & the Gang.
This is the discography of American hip hop group Brand Nubian. The group released six studio albums and three compilation albums that featured hit singles.
Keith Jones better known by his stage name DJ Alamo or Alamo is an American DJ and producer, who is best known for being one of the original founding members of Brand Nubian.
