Brand Nubian is a hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, consisting of … Read Full Bio ↴Brand Nubian is a hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, consisting of three MCs; Grand Puba (born Maxwell Dixon, March 4, 1966), Sadat X (formerly Derek X, born Derek Murphy) and Lord Jamar (born Lorenzo Dechalus, September 17, 1968); and two DJs, DJ Alamo and DJ Sincere.

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.

Too Late
Brand Nubian Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Too late, too late baby, bye-bye
I'll be there tonight
You'll get left behind
Now's my time to shine

Now I got the best birthday present when my ass born
It was my mama, old dad plant the seed like a farmer
Life was kind of hard livin in hell's backyard

Didn't have a job, honey fronted on the GOD
Shorty racing, only hollering at cats who be lacin
She had some shit with her, she was caught up in the glitter
"Brother come see me when you get five digits bigger"
Oh that's the way you tryin to doo-doo on a nigga
She likes the lavish, no time for a brother livin average
Play the knees for the cheese like a savage
Now she lost and turned out, rotten teeth in her mouth
'Cause she ran the wrong route
Shorty 'member me, now I'm seven digits bigger
Platinum artist status, mad cheese from Hilfiger
Now ya feelin me because you're smoked out and high
but too late baby, bye-bye

Too late, too late baby, bye-bye
I'll be there tonight
You'll get left behind
Now's my time to shine

I wish you could have been there when I had my first fight
The other kid said he was gonna get his father
I didn't bother to respond 'cause I knew that you was gone
Forced to carry on and teach myself right from wrong
As far back as I can remember you was never around
In September it was back to school
The eldest member of my family so I packed the tool
It made a nigga feel manly when I smacked a fool
With it, could've schooled me on pussy before I hit it
Or took me to a park with a ball and said "Hit it"
But we was all left in the dark, accepting the parts
Of you we was able to get, affectin my heart
Nowadays you expecting to start, anew
When I lived my whole life apart from you
Too late you better check the due date
See there's no explanation for the expiration

Too late, too late baby, bye-bye
I'll be there tonight
You'll get left behind
Now's my time to shine

It's too late, bye-bye
Oh bye-bye-bye-bye-bye-byeeee, yeah
It's too late, bye-bye, oh babe
Bye-bye-bye-bye-byeeee-bye-bye
Bye-bye-bye-bye-byeeeee

Niggas disrespect my crib droppin' ashes on the floor
Another half of beer I'm findin' behind the chair
Let you meal like you wish but you can't even wash a dish
but you love to eat and rest them stink ass feet
And blow up my telephone line like you was home
Seen a nigga make five quick calls to the dome
Ride around all day, 'Dro-ed or hash
I ain't never heard once "Can I help you with gas?"
I ain't never heard "X, can I buy you a meal?"
But if we going downtown niggas is ready to wheel
Now if you broke you broke, you got five dollars, give me one
'Cause most likely I'll give it back before the day is done
If I'm spendin and bending, you should do it pendin
That day when you break out and finally get your cake
But I don't let that stress me 'cause life is but a test, be
And every waken day, I'ma stay okay

Too late, too late baby, bye-bye
I'll be there tonight

You'll get left behind
Now's my time to shine

Overall Meaning

In the song "Too Late" by Brand Nubian, the singer speaks about a series of regrets regarding moments, relationships, and opportunities that have slipped through their hands. Specifically, they talk about the things they could have done better, the people they could have treated differently, and ultimately argues that it's too late to make things right, and they have to move on. The first verse speaks of a woman the singer knew, who they were interested in, but felt was out of their league until they made it big in the music industry. However, now that they have achieved success, they no longer have any interest in her, and the line "too late baby, bye-bye" is directed to her. In the second verse, the singer talks about their absentee father, who was never there for the important events in their life, leaving them to fend for themselves. Finally, in the third verse, the singer discusses a friend who they feel is taking advantage of them, never offering to pay for things or help them out, and how they have come to realize they need to cut this person out of their life.

Overall, the lyrics of "Too Late" express feelings of remorse and regret, hoping that the listener can learn from their experiences and not make the same mistakes in their lives. The song is a commentary on how individuals must take responsibility for their choices, and how time waits for no one. Through their storytelling, Brand Nubian is able to convey a powerful message that resonates with listeners of all ages.

Line by Line Meaning

Too late, too late baby, bye-bye
It's too late for you, bye-bye. I'm leaving you behind and moving on without you.

I'll be there tonight
I'll be successful and thriving, even without your support or presence.

You'll get left behind
Your lack of support and presence has caused you to miss out on my success and progress.

Now's my time to shine
I have worked hard to get to where I am, and this is my moment to succeed and shine.

Now I got the best birthday present when my ass born
My mother and father gave me the greatest gift of all, which was life.

It was my mama, old dad plant the seed like a farmer
My mother carried me and gave birth to me, while my father played a role in my creation and development.

Life was kind of hard livin in hell's backyard
Growing up in a difficult environment was challenging.

Didn't have a job, honey fronted on the GOD
I was without employment and women were not interested in me.

Shorty racing, only hollering at cats who be lacin
I pursued a woman who was only interested in those with money.

She had some shit with her, she was caught up in the glitter
She had expensive, superficial items and was focused on material possessions.

"Brother come see me when you get five digits bigger"
She only wanted to spend time with me when I had become wealthy.

Oh that's the way you tryin to doo-doo on a nigga
I realize that she was only interested in me for my money.

She likes the lavish, no time for a brother livin average
She prioritized extravagance and was not interested in someone who was not wealthy.

Play the knees for the cheese like a savage
She was willing to perform sexual acts to receive money and material goods.

Now she lost and turned out, rotten teeth in her mouth
She spiraled into drug addiction and neglect, resulting in poor physical health.

'Cause she ran the wrong route
Her choices led her down a path of destruction and despair.

Shorty 'member me, now I'm seven digits bigger
After achieving success and wealth, she suddenly remembered my existence.

Platinum artist status, mad cheese from Hilfiger
I rose to a high level of success, with a platinum music career and lucrative fashion deals.

Now ya feelin me because you're smoked out and high
She only acknowledges me now because she is under the influence of drugs.

but too late baby, bye-bye
Nevertheless, I am moving forward without her and leaving her behind.

I wish you could have been there when I had my first fight
I wish I had a father figure during formative moments in my life.

The other kid said he was gonna get his father
In this instance, another child had a father to defend him.

I didn't bother to respond 'cause I knew that you was gone
I did not react because I had already accepted that I did not have a father to protect me.

Forced to carry on and teach myself right from wrong
I was forced to learn how to navigate life without guidance and make my own moral decisions.

As far back as I can remember you was never around
I have always had to live without a father present in my life.

In September it was back to school
During my childhood, September meant a return to school.

The eldest member of my family so I packed the tool
As the oldest male in my family, I felt a responsibility to protect myself and others.

It made a nigga feel manly when I smacked a fool
Defending myself in physical altercations made me feel empowered.

With it, could've schooled me on pussy before I hit it
I wish I had a father figure to teach me about sex before I engaged in it myself.

Or took me to a park with a ball and said "Hit it"
I wish I had a father figure to show me how to play sports and spend quality time together.

But we was all left in the dark, accepting the parts
We were forced to accept the limited knowledge and guidance we received from you.

Of you we was able to get, affectin my heart
The absence of a father has deeply affected me emotionally.

Nowadays you expecting to start, anew
You believe that you can re-enter my life and start fresh.

When I lived my whole life apart from you
However, I have grown and thrived without you, and I am not interested in having you back in my life.

Too late you better check the due date
It is too late for you to try to come back into my life, and you should understand that.

See there's no explanation for the expiration
There is no excuse or justification for your absence in my life.

Niggas disrespect my crib droppin' ashes on the floor
People disrespect my home by littering and being inconsiderate.

Another half of beer I'm findin' behind the chair
I find empty alcohol bottles in my home, left behind by visitors.

Let you meal like you wish but you can't even wash a dish
I allow visitors to eat and stay in my home, but they are not respectful enough to clean up after themselves.

but you love to eat and rest them stink ass feet
Visitors take advantage of my hospitality and have poor hygiene.

And blow up my telephone line like you was home
Visitors call and text me constantly, acting as if they are entitled to my time and attention.

Seen a nigga make five quick calls to the dome
I observe someone constantly making phone calls and not respecting my space.

Ride around all day, 'Dro-ed or hash
Visitors spend their days smoking marijuana and not respecting my home.

I ain't never heard once "Can I help you with gas?"
Visitors are not willing to help with basic expenses, such as gas money.

I ain't never heard "X, can I buy you a meal?"
Visitors are not willing to repay me for my hospitality or help me in any way.

But if we going downtown niggas is ready to wheel
However, if I am providing a fun outing or activity, visitors are willing to participate.

Now if you broke you broke, you got five dollars, give me one
Visitors are okay with asking for money, even if they do not have much themselves.

'Cause most likely I'll give it back before the day is done
I am willing to lend money, but visitors are not considerate enough to pay me back.

If I'm spendin and bending, you should do it pendin
If I am willing to spend money and be flexible, visitors should reciprocate and be respectful.

That day when you break out and finally get your cake
I hope that visitors will be successful and achieve their goals.

But I don't let that stress me 'cause life is but a test, be
I do not let the inconsiderate actions of others bring me down, as I know that life is full of challenges.

And every waken day, I'ma stay okay
Every day, I will remain unaffected by negative factors and focus on my own growth and success.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Willie Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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