Brand Nubian "In God We Trust" (February 2, 1993)

"Everything is a balance," declares Brand Nubian rapper Lord Jamar. "That's what we try to show with our music -- the balance between the seriousness of trying to spread knowledge and showing that we're real people who enjoy life." On In God We Trust, Brand Nubian bring their inimitable mix of elements to a new level of precision and power. Knowledge and understanding parallel rage. Intensely held beliefs of the Five Percent Nation of Islam segue into party-hearty road tales. The ancient Muslim vocal of the first cut, "Allah U Akbar," blends with the sublime manipulation of the most sophisticated new technology. "This record is more organized and more rough," believes Sadat X. In God We Trust was recorded after the departure of original member Grand Puba Maxxwell; "It's just two different types of musical expression; people will be able to tell the difference between the two albums," says X, previously known to Nubian fans as Derek X. (Sadat is a more righteous, fitting name," he explains...) The urgent, multi-layered beats of the first single, "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down," set the stage: "The track is about not being taken advantage of in life," explains Jamar. "The feelings you have when someone tries to take advantage of you and what we would do if that happens. It's also beating them down with the sound," he says with a smile. "We're beating them down with the lyrics, the vocals, the mentality -- and physically, if it has to be." Brand Nubian formed less than two years before making their major label debut, when Sadat X and Lord Jamar left their retrospective outfits, the Chosen Few and KD & The Ever-Lovin' 3. Sincere, officially joined the group in time to record In God We Trust, although he had creative input on Brand Nubian's first album, One For All. "We'd been friends for a long time," Jamar recalls. "We both got knowledge around the same time." The New Rochelle, New York-based group made their debut at a 1989 New Music Seminar showcase. - Press Bio, 1993. Revisit Brand Nubian's sophomore LP, In God We Trust, below...

Here's the official press release from Brand Nubian...

Brand Nubian "One For All" (30th Anniversary)

"A bootlegger's delight, One For All never achieved the sales figures it deserved, but Grand Puba, Sadat X and Lord Jamar's debut is still unquestionably one of hip-hop's most important records. The trio's brand of pure righteous funk is still able to rock any party," said The Source in 1998. In late September, Passion of the Weiss went back through albums that received the coveted 5-mic review in The Source and had this to say about the LP, "Brand Nubian’s debut (One For All) was a phenomenal album. It took many of the loose threads left by the Last Poets, the Jungle Brothers, KRS-One, Rakim, Public Enemy, and many of the future cartoonish excesses (of B-boyism and 5 percentism) that would eventually be championed by Wu-Tang, Jeru The Damaja, or, uh, KRS-One, and threaded the needle. They are the rap equivalent of the Black Panthers Free Lunch Program, a marriage of high minded political philosophy and grounded civic duty that produces real, tangible results. The trio produced an album that flexed brain and bottom, freeing political diatribe from the throbbing production of the Mind Squad and grounding it in the everyday, making it danceable and cool. The production team of Brand Nubian themselves, Dante Ross and Dave Hall set the stage sonically for Q-Tip and Tribe. And The Source was quick to jump on it, declaring itself as a publication that highly valued Brand Nubian and The Native Tongues brand of scholarly, racially informed, politically aware lyricism that maintained its funk at all times." Circle back to it one time...

From the article "Duel of the Iron Mics" + OG cassette...

Lenny D "The Best of Sadat X" (Mixtape, 2008)

A founding member of the legendary Brand Nubian, Sadat X continues to lead the race while many of his peers have long-since passed the torch. Few artists in any genre have achieved the longevity, notoriety, and critical acclaim that Sadat X has earned over the course of his three-decade-long career. And yet, he's still an underrated artist in the grand scope of things. This "Best Of" mixtape by Lenny D showcases Sadat X in his rightful place alongside some of the greatest spitters of our culture. The mix - originally released in 2008 - features group tracks with Brand Nubian, solo tracks and collaborations with Akinyele, Grand Puba, House of Pain, Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Money Boss Players, Kurious, Jungle Brothers, Common, RA The Rugged Man, Ed O.G., and more! HBD!

Boodah Bros Show Freestyles 90s (R.I.P. Kool DJ Law)

Props to Roc Smith, who uploaded these dope freestyles from Mad Skillz, SupaFriendz, Black Thought, Boot Camp Clik, Sadat X and Xzibit from the Boodah Bros Live From The Hood radio show on 103 Jamz back in the mid-90s. 103 Jamz is based in Norfolk, VA. Back in 2010, the hip-hop community mourned the death of 103 Jamz Program Director and radio personality, DJ Law, from the Boodah Brothers. DJ Law co-hosted the show with Big B, and Law had worked at the radio show since high school back in 1992. Rest In Peace, Kool DJ Law. Peep these freestyles below.

Grown Man Rap Show "Brand Nubian Mix"

DJ Toast and Paul Nice broadcast live every Sunday Night (10-12am, EST) at WRPI in Albany, NY. This is Episode 58, a tribute to legendary group, Brand Nubian. Paul Nice's set kicks off with some original samples, then group tracks, solo tracks, and some joints from Masters of Ceremony + Pete Rock & CL Smooth mixed in. DJ Toast steps up and goes straight hip-hop with more group and solo tracks, then tracks by Cormega, The Beatnuts, and more. They deliver each week, keep it locked!

Brand Nubian "Foundation" (Rap Pages, 1998)

"Few rap groups manage what Brand Nubian have: recording a reunion album that equals their previous work. Working with their original lineup for the first time since their masterful debut project, One For All, Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo (who's now an official member of the group) demonstrate how to deliver a credible, hard-hitting Hip-Hop collection that addresses a variety of topics on Foundation. Focusing on respect, pride, love and struggle, the New Rochelle quartet rap lyrical circles around their myopic competition... While the multitude of overtly positive messages is sure to please their original fan base, several selections will thrill cats who've never experienced Brand Nubian. "The Return," a gritty, flute-backed, chest-thumping celebration that bumps harder than turbulence, wins with a bevy of punch lines and well-placed scratching..." Cont'd...

"Even though the work of the Puba-less Brand Nubian and Puba's solo songs touched on worthy topics and included dazzling wordplay, they work better as a unit than they did separately. The former Derek X's abrasive voice sounds much more appealing when complemented with Jamar's husky presentation and Puba's often playful demeanor. Likewise, Foundation's production far exceeds any of Nubian's work since One For All. Beatmasters such as DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Diamond D and Grand Puba contribute a myriad of aural moods that fit Brand Nubian's lyrics like shrink-wrap.... Expertly executed, Foundation's poignant subject matter and super production reestablish Brand Nubian as premier Hip-Hop spokesmen." - Rap Pages, 1998. Revisit this LP today!

Brand Nubian "One for All" (25th Anniversary Mixtape)

“This Weekend (4th December 2015) marked the 25th Anniversary of the release of Brand Nubian‘s classic debut album ‘One for All’. Notable for its use of unconventional sample material (see use of Edie Brickell’s ‘What I Am’ on the smash single ‘Slow Down’), this landmark release of the afro-centric era treads an unlikely path between political commentary and humorous braggadocio. In celebration of the album’s 25th birthday, we’ve teamed up with Wax Poetics to present an exclusive mixtape containing tracks from the album, alternate versions, remixes and, of course, original sample material used in the album’s production.” Chris Read's mixes are always dope, check it out below...

CNN "Married To Marijuana bw Calm Down" (12", 1999)

This an unofficial pressing of Capone-N-Noreaga's "Married To Marijuana" and "Calm Down," unreleased joints from around The War Report days, and "Yo!" from Sadat X. I'm especially thankful for the instrumentals, since the vocal versions had been floating around for some years. Otherwise, "Calm Down" was my favorite track on this 12", featuring Tragedy Khadafi & Nas. The rumor had been that Nas (allegedly) had issues with Tragedy removing E-Money Bag's verse from the record, so he wouldn't clear the record for Capone-N-Noreaga to use on "The War Report." To smooth it over, Nas put Noreaga on The Firm album with his breakthrough track, "I'm Leaving." Afterall, his problem wasn't with Noreaga. That worked out to Nore's benefit as it helped jumpstart his solo career, and was the gateway to a lot more money. In the end, "Calm Down" is still very dope! Listen to it below...

Brand Nubian "Everything Is Everything" (Rap Pages, 2/95)

"Mini-markets or bodegas, lowriders or cabs, sunshine or snow. Welcome to the West wit an East Coast perspective. Longtime fans who have followed the evolution of rap's demilegends Brand Nubian may be a little taken aback by the broad musical strength displayed on Lord Jamar and Sadat X's second effort as a duo. Everything Is Everything is not In God We Trust, and it most certainly is not One For All. The album, produced entirely by Lord Jamar (who admittedly is a fan of MC Eiht, Cube, Snoop...and others), wreaks of inspiration and influence from the group's Westside counterparts - culminating in a laid-back, easy-flowing, West Coast "G"-feeling project. The first single "Word Is Bond," hits with an exhibition of hardcore stylistics over a fat jazz track, as does "Step Into Da Cipher," a posse cut spotlighting New York's Serge, Maestro Manny and Snaggapuss. Although concepts get a little cloudy ... Nubian also pull through heavy topical discussions pertaining to the plight of the Black man, proving that their original flavor is not completely left in the dust."

"... Filled with West Coast expressions, sweet female and male backing vocals, live musicians, and, of course, the smart rhyming skills of both Sadat X and Lord J, Brand Nubian return with brand nu vibes and an altogether brand nu sound. But the burning question remains: Is this a genuine bridging of the East Coast / West Coast gap, or is it just another ploy to ... what? Sell records? Fourth-generation Hip-Hoppers may not care, but fans - we want to know." - Rap Pages, 2/95 (Updated).