Their debut album One For All is one of the more popular and acclaimed alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s, known for socially conscious and politically charged content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths.
1989-1992
Brand Nubian formed in 1986 after Grand Puba's original group, Masters of Ceremony, split up. Its first single, "Brand Nubian," was released in 1986. Signed to Elektra Records by A&R man Dante Ross, its 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." The controversy helped sales, though the album was still not a great commercial success. To date, the album has sold 350,000 units. A version of the Fab Five Freddy-directed video for the single "Wake Up," featuring a Black man in white-face makeup, was also banned from MTV. On MTV and from official WEA sources, this image was replaced by a Baptist preacher. The singles "Slow Down," "All for One," and "Wake Up" all became hits on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks chart in 1991.
Shortly after its debut release, Sadat X and Lord Jamar began having problems with Grand Puba, which caused him to leave the group, along with DJ Alamo, to pursue a solo career. Lord Jamar and Sadat X enlisted DJ Sincere to join the group in 1992. The same year, Puba released his solo debut, Reel to Reel, which featured the hit single "360° (What Goes Around)".
Later in 1992, the Puba-less Brand Nubian released a hit single of its own, "Punks Jump up to Get Beat Down". The track was met with controversy over alleged homophobic content, referencing the Sadat X line "I can freak, fly, flow, fuck up a faggot/I don't understand their ways, I ain't down with gays." Despite the controversy, the single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 77. Later versions omitted the line, including the version on the greatest hits compilation The Very Best of Brand Nubian.
1992-1996
In late 1992, the crew released its second album, In God We Trust. "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down" was included on this release, as well as the number-92 Hot-100 single, "Love Me or Leave Me Alone." The effort sold moderately well, fueled by the crew's continuing controversy. Also in 1993, the group contributed a track for the Menace II Society soundtrack, titled "Lick Dem..........."
The group’s next release, Everything is Everything, was issued in November 1994. The controversy kept growing, with further accusations of the group’s music being analogous to hate speech. The album received very mixed reviews and mediocre sales, despite the top-40 Hot Rap Tracks singles "Word is Bond" and "Hold On (feat. Starr)." In 1995, the group broke up, left Elektra, and launched solo careers in music and television. That year, Puba released his second solo effort, 2000, featuring another Billboard Hot 100 single, "I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are)." Sadat X released his first solo effort, titled Wild Cowboys (Loud/RCA/BMG Records), in 1996.
1997-2000
The original members reunited in 1997, contributing a song to the Soul In The Hole soundtrack, titled "A Child is Born". Another song, "Keep It Bubblin'," appeared on the 1997 Money Talks soundtrack. In 1998, the four original members returned with the album Foundation on a new label, Arista/BMG Records. The album received wide acclaim and featured contributions from a larger group of producers, including 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. In 2000, the crew once again teamed up with Buckwild of D.I.T.C. and released the underground single "Rockin' It," before the members continued their individual pursuits. Sadat X released a solo EP in 2000, The State of New York vs. Derek Murphy, on Loud/Relativity Records.
2001-present
Puba released his third solo effort, Understand This, in 2001, which received little attention despite featuring his fellow Brand Nubian members. The original members reunited once again in 2004 for the release of its fifth album, Fire in the Hole, their first release on an independent label, Babygrande Records. The album received mixed reviews and sold below expectations. Sadat X released another solo effort in 2005, titled Experience and Education, receiving mostly positive reviews. Jamar also furthered his acting career, recently 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, June 27, 2006, on Babygrande Records. Sadat X's third full length album, titled Black October, was released October 2006. In 2007 the group released an album titled Time's Runnin' Out.
Brand Nubian
Brand Nubian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A junction of three
Collaborating in a style that's like funk
To slap palms, swing arms
Tap a soul
'Cause no rock rolls down our hill
Yo Black it's kinda ill
We don't roll no rocks we just fill
Showing and proving through the manifestation
Of our name which is "Brand Nu"
Brand Nubian and we've come to
Make the people aware that black means first
400 years and we're made to feel cursed
But now it's our time to rule
Student of the old, teacher of the new school
My inspiration is the Five Percent Nation
As I cram, education was born
Like a thorn in your side I have sworn
Never to divide with Brand Nubian
You have to stand as a black man
Brand Nubian
From the Sudan plus I never ran
I'm from Africa, the central region
There I grew and formed a legion of my force
See me riding on a jet black horse at any cost
Brand Nubians will rise up and be the boss and show it
All fairness if you're black and show awareness
You can rally 'round the flag
Stand tall, or don't stand at all
You're with the three and the three won't sag to the floor
Besides picture that I'm painting I can draw
See me work nine to five on my easel
My physical is strong and my mind is cock diesel
Brand Nubian function in conjunction with the three
Brand Nubian
Not on a bandwagon following a fad
Making use of the knowledge that we already had
Grand Pu, here to send the mind into a frenzy
I bet I'll swing something this summer for the Benzi
Seep into the mind the brain and activate the pelvis
Keeping the blind deaf dumb and blind is Elvis
Meaning old, so behold
(The black, the beautiful, the bold)
Now if this falls short I'll try harder
A wisdom to me is someone like Assata
I'd like to say peace to Bambaata
Tasa Kuma, Ahmed, and Kenyatta
Brothers that'll fight for the cause
And they live in the boundaries of the righteous laws
To put it exact dominant means black
But some have a hard time trying to swallow that
Now we have some that are fake
Wearing blue eyes and green eyes, come on gimme a break
Brand Nubian here to wake up
Take off the makeup 'cause all it'll do is cake up
Just be real that's how I feel
Brand Nubian
Nubian
A native or inhabitant of Nubia
Nubian
A member of one of a group of African tribes that formed a poweful
Empire between Egypt and Ethiopia
From the 6th to 14th century
Nubian
Any of several languages spoken in the central and northern Sudan
And that's why we call ourselves Brand Nubian
As the midnight oil burns, our minds turn
Make a mistake and be fake and you'll burn
We're here to teach so you'd might as well learn
That the tree has the knowledge for what you yearn
Brand Nubian
The song "Brand Nubian" by Brand Nubian is a tribute to black pride and the Five Percent Nation. The song starts off by explaining that the group is a collaboration of three artists who are using their music to spread knowledge and awareness of black heritage. They don't "roll no rocks," but instead fill heads with knowledge and promote a pure foundation. They are here to make people aware that black means first, and that after 400 years of oppression, it's time for black people to rule. The chorus emphasizes the importance of standing tall as a black man or woman, and not following fads or being fake.
The verses go on to celebrate black heritage and culture. The first verse features Lord Jamar, who talks about his inspiration coming from the Five Percent Nation. He sees himself as a student of the old and a teacher of the new school. He takes a critical view of the past and resolves to never divide with Brand Nubian. The second verse is from Sadat X, who identifies as a native of Sudan and an inhabitant of Africa's central region. He formed a legion with his force and is riding on a jet black horse at any cost. He urges other black people to rally around the flag and stand tall with Brand Nubian.
Overall, the song is a celebration of black heritage and culture, with an emphasis on the importance of knowledge, awareness, and pride.
Line by Line Meaning
Brand Nubian function
This is the group Brand Nubian and their purpose
A junction of three
The group is made up of three members
Collaborating in a style that's like funk
The group works together to create a unique sound similar to funk music
To slap palms, swing arms
To greet and celebrate their unity
Tap a soul
To inspire and uplift people
'Cause no rock rolls down our hill
We don't let obstacles stop us
Yo Black it's kinda ill
Hey Black, it's amazing
We don't roll no rocks we just fill
We don't waste time with negative things, we focus on sharing knowledge
Heads with knowledge, pure foundation
We educate and build a strong foundation
Showing and proving through the manifestation
Our actions demonstrate our message
Of our name which is "Brand Nu"
This is why we chose the name Brand Nubian
Brand Nubian and we've come to
We represent Brand Nubian and our mission
Make the people aware that black means first
Black people are important and come first
400 years and we're made to feel cursed
Black people have faced oppression for 400 years
But now it's our time to rule
It is our time to take control and lead
Student of the old, teacher of the new school
We have learned from the past and teach the present and future
My inspiration is the Five Percent Nation
The Five Percent Nation inspires me
As I cram, education was born
I learn and share knowledge
Like a thorn in your side I have sworn
We persist in our message and mission despite obstacles
Never to divide with Brand Nubian
We will always stay united as Brand Nubian
You have to stand as a black man
Black people need to stand together
From the Sudan plus I never ran
I am from Sudan and not a coward
I'm from Africa, the central region
I am from the central region of Africa
There I grew and formed a legion of my force
I grew and formed a group of people with my strength
See me riding on a jet black horse at any cost
I am willing to do anything to succeed
Brand Nubians will rise up and be the boss and show it
Brand Nubians will be successful and confident
All fairness if you're black and show awareness
If you are black and aware of your situation
You can rally 'round the flag
You can support our movement
Stand tall, or don't stand at all
Be proud and confident or don't bother
You're with the three and the three won't sag to the floor
You are with the three members of our group who will not give up
Besides picture that I'm painting I can draw
I am multi-talented and skilled
See me work nine to five on my easel
I work hard and create art
My physical is strong and my mind is cock diesel
I am physically and mentally strong
Not on a bandwagon following a fad
We do not blindly follow trends
Making use of the knowledge that we already had
We use our existing knowledge effectively
Grand Pu, here to send the mind into a frenzy
The member Grand Pu is here to excite and inspire the mind
I bet I'll swing something this summer for the Benzi
I am confident I will achieve success this summer
Seep into the mind the brain and activate the pelvis
Our message will affect the mind and body in a positive way
Keeping the blind deaf dumb and blind is Elvis
Elvis Presley's style keeps people uninformed and out of touch
Now if this falls short I'll try harder
If we fail, we will try harder next time
A wisdom to me is someone like Assata
Assata Shakur represents wisdom to me
I'd like to say peace to Bambaata
We give respect to Afrika Bambaata
Tasa Kuma, Ahmed, and Kenyatta
We also give respect to these individuals
Brothers that'll fight for the cause
These individuals were committed to our mission
And they live in the boundaries of the righteous laws
They live by just laws and principles
To put it exact dominant means black
Black is dominant and important
But some have a hard time trying to swallow that
Some people have difficulty accepting this truth
Now we have some that are fake
There are some people who pretend to be something they are not
Wearing blue eyes and green eyes, come on gimme a break
These people are wearing colored contact lenses, which is silly
Brand Nubian here to wake up
Our group is here to awaken people
Take off the makeup 'cause all it'll do is cake up
Stop pretending and being fake because it will not lead to anything good
Just be real that's how I feel
Be authentic and honest because that is what we believe in
Nubian
The word Nubian refers to native or inhabitant of Nubia
Nubian
The word Nubian also refers to a member of an African tribe that formed a powerful empire
From the 6th to 14th century
This empire existed during this time period
Nubian
The word Nubian also refers to several languages spoken in Sudan
And that's why we call ourselves Brand Nubian
We call ourselves Brand Nubian because of our connection to Nubia and Sudan
As the midnight oil burns, our minds turn
We work hard late into the night to think and develop ideas
Make a mistake and be fake and you'll burn
Being fake or making a mistake will lead to negative consequences
We're here to teach so you'd might as well learn
Our purpose is to teach, so you might as well listen and learn
That the tree has the knowledge for what you yearn
Our group has the knowledge and information you need to succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY BEST, DEREK MURPHY, J. J. JOHNSON, LORENZO DECHALUS, MAXWELL DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Inko Infinity2
One of the greatest rap songs of all time
Inko Infinity2
And albums too
riderzinc
Nahhh it's funky as hell though
Officer Frank Tenpenny
The greatest
Monkey J. Dilla
@riderzinc And what you think Hip Hop is ? It's Funk, Jazz, Soul, Rock etc... No Hip Hop song is too Jazzy or Funky, since they are its essence
riderzinc
@Monkey J. Dilla I know what Hiphop is created from, If you know about J Dilla then you know about hiphop
34stzoo
This song brings me back to my early club days at the Rebar! Everytime this song came on the dance floor was packed. I missed great MUSIC with substance and originality! We don't have that in 2022.
REO Swedewagon
Dawg
Billie Eilish
The Weeknd
Lady Gaga
Gorillaz
Beck
I could go on
This is good music, but don't say good music is no longer being made.
Alex Guerini
I don't leave the car if this track are playing in GTA San Andreas!
Martin Mwitila
same I even turn off all sound effects and max out radio