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.
Shinin' Star
Brand Nubian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brand Nubian, yeah yeah, check it
Intro/Chorus:
You don't have to drive a fancy car
Just for you to be a shinin' star
No matter who you are, no matter who you are
Verse One: Grand Puba
Uhh, now it started it off for me in apartment 6C
Project style, ate government cheese for a while
Pop Duke wasn't there 'cause he had to do a bid
so momma love stuck with these bad ass kids
She used to say keep your head up, always think positive
and never be ashamed of who you are or where you live
Teenage years I had to struggle doing that
Shorty say "Don't talk to him, girlfriend, look where he live at
Crib probably crawlin with roaches and rats
plus cats be in his hallways with the drugs and the gats"
I used to try and honeys used to walk on by
Now I'm damn near 20 and still ain't got no ride
Caught a record deal, now them same old chicks that used to walk on by
go out their way to say hi
But they gets none
That's why I'm with the same girl from the same projects that I come from
because.......
Chorus (x2)
Verse Two: Sadat X
Well this is that time that you've waited for
Three linked from what was said to be extinct
You say take my weed-smellin ass home, I'm grown
More thirst than if I swallowed sand bags
Not fiending enough to go out and grab bags from women
I swear if we don't hear this on the air
I'll be down at the station
Your broadcast from Monday has now been switched to no day
With the class team that I'm with, we stay fit
Just like the calm before the twister hit
Brand Nubian name is gonna blister shit
We raise the flags in three places
employ black faces from midnight blacks to light tan
Brand Nubian straight rate policy for the world
For your little man, for your little girl, from Cheryl to Earl
Watch how it all go down and unfurl
Mark this print, I feel like we've all been sent
It's more than gettin money and gettin bent
(Word life, 'cause you're a shinin' star)
No matter who you are, no matter who you are
Chorus
Brand Nubian cats spread
Verse Three: Lord Jamar
A four-letter word seldom heard amongst my nation
Understandings highest elevation, the foundation
of creation of motivation, in my family there's no relation
They got us willing to be killing off our population, full-time occupation
We need to turn it around like oscillation
or watch it all burn to the ground from frustration
Lord Jamar, I'ma show love to all my people who show
To me that's how it's gotta be
Peace to Prodigy and Mobb Deep
God's working hard on the streets for the love of the peeps
Niggas bring their ass in the clubs every week
Walk right past the brothers and they can't speak
All hands meet to shake, for Pete's sake
Let's break the ice, life livin love, love livin life (Yeah)
Chorus (x2)
The song "Shinin' Star" by Brand Nubian is an inspirational reminder that one does not need material possessions to succeed in life. The lyrics of the song touch upon personal stories of three different members of the group, Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar, who shared their experiences of growing up in poverty-stricken areas and facing various struggles along the way. Despite the obstacles, they persevered through their hard work, dedication, and support from loved ones. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that everyone has the potential to be a shining star, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In the first verse, Grand Puba shares his story of growing up in the projects with a single mother who taught him to stay positive and be proud of who he was. He speaks of the judgment he faced from others due to his living conditions and lack of material possessions. However, he persevered through it all and was eventually able to achieve success in the music industry. Sadat X's verse highlights the struggles he faced as a young adult trying to make it in the music industry while also dealing with personal issues such as substance abuse. Lord Jamar's verse addresses social issues such as violence within communities and the need for people to come together to promote peace and love.
Overall, "Shinin' Star" sends a powerful message that no matter what challenges one may face, they can achieve greatness if they believe in themselves and work hard.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to drive a fancy car
Your material possessions don't define your worth as a person
Just for you to be a shinin' star
You can be successful and admired simply by being your authentic self
No matter who you are, no matter who you are
This message applies to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, race, or gender
Uhh, now it started it off for me in apartment 6C
I grew up in a low-income housing project
Project style, ate government cheese for a while
My family relied on government assistance to make ends meet
Pop Duke wasn't there 'cause he had to do a bid
My father was incarcerated
so momma love stuck with these bad ass kids
My mother was left to raise me and my siblings alone
She used to say keep your head up, always think positive
My mother encouraged me to maintain a positive attitude despite adversity
and never be ashamed of who you are or where you live
My mother taught me to take pride in myself and my community
Teenage years I had to struggle doing that
It was difficult to maintain my self-worth and confidence during my teenage years
Shorty say "Don't talk to him, girlfriend, look where he live at
Girls in my neighborhood would judge me for living in a low-income area
Crib probably crawlin with roaches and rats
Others assumed that my home was infested with pests due to our socioeconomic status
plus cats be in his hallways with the drugs and the gats"
There were likely people dealing drugs and carrying firearms in my building
I used to try and honeys used to walk on by
Girls would ignore me because I wasn't seen as desirable due to my living situation
Now I'm damn near 20 and still ain't got no ride
Even as I got older, I couldn't afford a car
Caught a record deal, now them same old chicks that used to walk on by
Now that I'm successful, those same girls who ignored me before are suddenly interested in me
go out their way to say hi
They're now eager to get my attention
But they gets none
But I'm not interested in those who only care about my success
That's why I'm with the same girl from the same projects that I come from
I value loyalty and authenticity over superficial attraction, which is why I'm still with someone from my community
Well this is that time that you've waited for
This is the moment we've been preparing for
Three linked from what was said to be extinct
We've come together despite being told that our kind of music is no longer relevant
You say take my weed-smellin ass home, I'm grown
Some may judge us for our lifestyles, but we're adults and will continue to do what we love
More thirst than if I swallowed sand bags
We have an insatiable desire to make music and share our message, even if it's difficult
Not fiending enough to go out and grab bags from women
We're not desperate enough to pursue romantic or sexual relationships purely for personal gain
I swear if we don't hear this on the air
If our music isn't played on the radio, we'll take matters into our own hands
I'll be down at the station
We'll make sure our voices are heard
Your broadcast from Monday has now been switched to no day
The establishment may try to silence us, but we won't allow it
With the class team that I'm with, we stay fit
We surround ourselves with talented, like-minded individuals to stay relevant
Just like the calm before the twister hit
We're at the peak of our game, waiting for our message to take off like a storm
Brand Nubian name is gonna blister shit
Our group's reputation will make an impact and ignite change
We raise the flags in three places
Our group's message is spreading to three different areas
employ black faces from midnight blacks to light tan
We support and uplift people of color, regardless of skin tone
Brand Nubian straight rate policy for the world
Our group has a clear and consistent message for the entire world
For your little man, for your little girl, from Cheryl to Earl
Our message is for everyone, from young children to adults of all backgrounds
Watch how it all go down and unfurl
Stay tuned and watch the impact of our message take shape
Mark this print, I feel like we've all been sent
Our group's message is more than just our own thoughts and opinions, but something higher
It's more than gettin money and gettin bent
Our message is not focused solely on material success or partying
(Word life, 'cause you're a shinin' star)
(Believe it, because you have inherent value and potential)
A four-letter word seldom heard amongst my nation
Love is a rare concept in my community
Understandings highest elevation, the foundation
We need to prioritize empathy and understanding in order to grow and progress
of creation of motivation, in my family there's no relation
Love and understanding are not always present in dysfunctional families
They got us willing to be killing off our population, full-time occupation
There are systemic issues at play that lead to violence and destruction in our communities
We need to turn it around like oscillation
We need to reverse these negative patterns and bring about positive change
or watch it all burn to the ground from frustration
If we don't make progress, we'll continue to self-destruct
Lord Jamar, I'ma show love to all my people who show
I want to lift up those who support me and my message
To me that's how it's gotta be
I believe that we need to support and uplift each other in order to bring about change
Peace to Prodigy and Mobb Deep
I want to pay tribute to other artists who have made an impact in the industry
God's working hard on the streets for the love of the peeps
There are people on the ground who are fighting for positive change
Niggas bring their ass in the clubs every week
People are going out and enjoying themselves despite the challenges they face
Walk right past the brothers and they can't speak
However, there are also issues with communication and connection in our communities
All hands meet to shake, for Pete's sake
We need to come together and support each other, for the sake of progress
Let's break the ice, life livin love, love livin life (Yeah)
We need to focus on positive values like love and connection in order to truly live life to its fullest
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALPHONSO MIZELL, DEREK MURPHY, LARRY MIZELL, LORENZO DECHALUS, MAXWELL DIXON, RODNEY CRAIG MIZELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind