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.
Return
Brand Nubian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Jamar] "I'm only bringin you the real"
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Sadat] "Have a stout if you know what I'm talkin about"
Verse One: Lord Jamar
Three sixty degrees I stand in the square, right over left
Preparin to fight to the death, you could never stifle this
Not even the triflest, nigga on Earth, could ever fuck
with what I spit in a verse, we always hit where it hurts
Underground so we dig in the dirt
Always gotta put a nigga to work, is how it seems
It's kinda hard to hear the silent screams
Through the violent things, turn a deaf ear
Your body might get left there - you better step to the rear
We put it down with Premier, rock mad army gear
You ain't heard us all together in, several years
It's like a federal crime, you had to settle for rhymes
that lacked substance, we got that in abundance
Pro-black and you know that
We stay Fat like Joe Crack, Lord Jamar
come too far, to ever try and go back
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Jamar] "I'm only bringin you the real"
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Sadat] "Have a stout if you know what I'm talkin about"
Verse Two: Sadat X
I'm on 110 and Lennox with these Africans overseein
our physical being, and how we doin it
It only take one bad nigga to ruin it, pursuin it
and actin like it can't happen put you in the chair
To the bookings we go, on the twenty-four hour flow
I run through obstacles, take off my shackles
Proper backing with the bangers and the rhyme singers
I run with dem and others, rock NY in colors
with the straight brim and the chick who work in the gym
The great Datty in the see-Town Express
Whoever step to this is gonna have to face stress
Whoever step to this better be at they best
Look at me close I'm the perfect host you standin too close
so back up, you should never try to act up
The Wild Cowboy still got the style boy
One of a kind I throw a helluva line
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Jamar] "I'm only bringin you the real"
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Sadat] "Have a stout if you know what I'm talkin about"
Verse Three: Grand Puba
Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah
My man Primo hit me off with the plural
Zig Zag Zig like Zorro now we makin more bread than Stella Doro
Unsung hero bring more _Heat_ than DeNiro
Never known for spittin trash shit on the mic, that shit's a zero
Rhyme flow stay off the meter, tight like two-seaters
Make y'all get nuts like a cellblock filled with dick beaters
Make my approach then shorty's bagged like coach
Cut on the lights if she ain't a dime then watch me run like a roach
y'all know my shit be hot they call me Dr. Doo-a-lot
Now I got seeds so I'm stingy I keep strings on my Benji's
So tree up, nigga we up, about to re-up
y'all know the deal, grab this paper, disappear like Copperfield
I need a meal, time to eats with a flow
Drop the beat, press it up, and hit the street, dinnertime's complete
My Nubian ways'll get ass that open for days
Make more chips than Frito Lays when I spit the phrase that pays
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Jamar] "I'm only bringin you the real"
"Grand Puba" "Lord Jamar" "Sadat X" "Alamo"
[Puba] "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"
[Sadat] "Have a stout if you know what I'm talkin about"
The song "Return" by Brand Nubian is about the struggles and survival tactics of life in the ghetto. The opening lines "Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival" repeated throughout the song resonate with anyone who has faced hardship and discrimination. Lord Jamar's verse speaks of standing up for oneself, never holding back and always hitting where it hurts. He speaks of digging in the dirt to find success and achievements. Sadat X talks about being overseen by Africans and how one bad person can ruin everything. He talks about how pursuing bad things puts people in jail and causes them to face stress. Grand Puba's verse finishes the song, speaking of making money, keeping things tight and making phrases that pay.
There is a lot of meaning in these lyrics, with each member of the group talking about their own struggles and how they have survived. The purpose of the song is to inspire people from difficult backgrounds to persevere and never give up hope. It puts forward the idea that even though times may be tough, there is always a way to survive and thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
Raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival
Puba grew up in poverty and learned to survive through music
I'm only bringin you the real
Jamar only speaks the truth in his lyrics
Have a stout if you know what I'm talkin about
Sadat X suggests having a beer if the listener understands his message
Three sixty degrees I stand in the square, right over left
Jamar is prepared to fight to the death, standing strong with determination
Preparin to fight to the death, you could never stifle this
Jamar is ready to stand up for what he believes in and never let anyone silence him
Not even the triflest, nigga on Earth, could ever fuck with what I spit in a verse,
Jamar is confident that he is the best rapper on the planet
we always hit where it hurts
Brand Nubian's lyrics pack a powerful punch and address important issues
Underground so we dig in the dirt
Brand Nubian's music is not mainstream and confronts underground issues
It's kinda hard to hear the silent screams
It's difficult to notice or acknowledge people suffering in silence
Your body might get left there - you better step to the rear
If you don't respect Brand Nubian, you might end up getting hurt
We put it down with Premier, rock mad army gear
Brand Nubian works with DJ Premier and wears military-inspired clothing
It's like a federal crime, you had to settle for rhymes that lacked substance,
Listening to subpar music is like committing a federal offense
we got that in abundance
Brand Nubian has plenty of substance in their lyrics
Pro-black and you know that
Brand Nubian is proud of their black heritage and incorporates that into their music
whoever step to this is gonna have to face stress
Challenging Brand Nubian's lyrics will lead to consequences and difficulty
You standin too close so back up, you should never try to act up
Don't get too close or try to challenge Brand Nubian
Now I got seeds so I'm stingy I keep strings on my Benji's
Puba has kids now and is careful with his money
Make more chips than Frito Lays when I spit the phrase that pays
Brand Nubian makes a lot of money from their music
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIE JAMES CLARKE, CLARENCE HENRY REID, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN, GEE DAJANI, LORENZO DECHALUS, MAXWELL DIXON, WILLIAM BREWSTER DIXON III, JOHN GAMBLE, DEREK MURPHY, DANTE ROSS
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