Known for its Afrocentrism and militant activism (they were members of Blackwatch), X-Clan soon gained legendary fame among young African-American hip-hop listeners for the political and cultural messages its music espoused, though commercial success was sporadic. Its debut was To the East, Blackwards (1990), followed by Xodus (1992), and a temporary break-up. Both albums peaked at #11 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Charts in the United States. X-Clan is still considered the premier "conscious rap" group of the 80s/90s.
Other artists who were affiliated with X-Clan and Blackwatch include Queen Mother Rage, Linque (known as Isis at the time) and YZ. X-Clan's affiliates saw a string of releases throughout the early 1990s: Professor X released a solo album titled Years of the 9, on the Blackhand Side in 1991 and a second solo album titled Puss N' Boots: The Struggle Continues in 1993; Queen Mother Rage released Vanglorious Law in 1991; Isis released Rebel Soul in 1990; and YZ released his debut, Sons of The Father (noted for the song "Thinking of a Master Plan") in 1989, followed by The Ghetto's Been Good To Me (which included his modest hit "Return of The Holy One") in 1993. It should be noted that YZ became affiliated with the group after releasing his first album, and Isis is also the MC known as Linque Ayoung and, at one point, was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated group Deadly Venoms.
In 1994 Brother J formed a new group, Dark Sun Riders, that released the full length Seeds of Evolution in 1996. In 1995, long-time group member Sugar Shaft died from complications related to AIDS. X-Clan reformed in the late 1990s but did not release any new material. Brother J assembled a new team that he calls X Clan Millennium Cipher and released a vinyl single for "The One/Blackwards Row" in 2004. New Members are: Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J, Master China, Kumu, "Ultraman" Ra Hanna, ACL, Lord Cza, Dj Fat Jack. Professor X died of complications from spinal meningitis on March 17, 2006. A new X-Clan album, titled Return From Mecca (originally titled The Trinity) is scheduled for release on October 31st 2006, and is to feature Chali 2na, RBX and others.
X Clan
Suburban Noize Records
Voodoo
X-Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me just hone my craft
Ima just spit on my raps
How he really do em like that
I'm coolin and I'm flippin and rippin it on tracks
That's bad
I don't give a fuck about class
I just wanna make mad racks
Fact of the matter is that I'm in it no laughter
I be on my bag, after I'm out, fuck the chatter
On clout
Coming in too late, make the ice break
Mixin with the kool-aid, make the nice baes
Feel great
One coolin sippin truly's
She got a nice fake
Nights been movie
The crowd fades away
We moving but I wait
Cuz I'm playing it safe
Talking to a honey
Say she got a nice place
She gotta nice cam
So we do it 4k
Skipping foreplay
Do it four ways
On the fairway
Take a break for the sorbet
How she know to maintain the pace
In the first place
All the way then past the fourth base
Now she know I'm trained in the ways
Of getting last place
Of anything and everything that's happening
Imagine we ain't happened to have met half second after
Rapping then I asked If I could have it
Playing cool but I been acting
What a beautiful establishment
She ask me what the address is
I tell her wait till after then
It's after, make an acronym
FTFLFNFh I'm never fucking capping shit
Fucking lil bitch, I really think you was an accident
Cuz every time I fuck with you its endin all disastrous
All the heat coming out the room
We run it by the booth
Then I make it all smooth
You ask me what's the reason is
I ain't got a fucking clue
I be writing doing time before I'm hoppin out the stu
God hit me up, he think its voodoo
Why you gotta do it like that
Let me just hone my craft
Ima just spit on my raps
How he really do em like that
I'm coolin and I'm flippin and rippin it on tracks
That's badd
I don't give a fuck about class
I just wanna make mad racks
No cap
Fact of the matter is that I'm in it no laughter
I be on my bag, after I'm out, fuck the chatter
On clout
Why you gotta do it like that
Vaporize yo squad I'm Thanos with the snap
Got 3 bitches in the back I'm tricking with the hat
Ima wipe your whole damn team off the map
That's that
I'm the best samurai like Jack
Takeoff in the jet matte black I'm mad
Sipping on the jack when sad get slapped
I ain't never simpin on a bitch that's bad
Sippin chillin with the bitches you know that I go and get it
You are not forgiven
You've been sinning
Jonah been winning
Higher than the ceiling making killings
I ain't got no feeling
Ima Madvillian
Close a deal this some big business
Imma do me I ain't ever gonna change
Had some long nights I ain't never been the same
Waitin on days I'm playing in the rain
But the boy stay wild cause I can't be tamed
Playing with the fire and the stick
I'm tryna put a whole rock on my wrist
Of course that girl kinda hot with a twist
She walked up to me she rocking her hips
Shit was kinda blurry I was off of the shit
She had both eyes just locked on the kid
I hit my dance and I talked to the bitch
End of the night we were locking our lips
You tripping on this shit you do not have a grip
I raise my stock its an option to hit
You don't want smoke you cough on the spliff
I take my time this is off of the rip
So every time you wanna get loud (Get loud)
Please take a look around (Around)
Notice yourself in the crowd (In the crowd)
I am the captain now
Everybody on me
I need new phone
Everybody wants to be somethin
I know
Only way to do it
Is to fucking flow
I be hitting this bitch like Russ I'm cold
There really only is one way to get known
That way is down road that most people don't go
It's all about the work
And the rules you chose
If it's something you want
Why the fuck you stay froze
Why you gotta do it like that
Let me just hone my craft
Ima just spit on my raps
How he really do em like that
I'm coolin and I'm flippin and rippin it on tracks
That's badd
I don't give a fuck about class
I just wanna make mad racks
No cap
Fact of the matter is that I'm in it no laughter
I be on my bag, after I'm out, fuck the chatter
On clout
The song Voodoo by X-Clan feat. RBX & Quazedelic is a complex mix of rap verses exploring themes of personal ambition, artistic skills, relationships and spirituality with a hypnotic beat and heavy use of imagery.
The first verse is a self-reflection of the rapper, who is focused on honing his craft and making mad money, without caring about education or social status. He believes that he is in it for the long haul, with no time for laughter or distractions. This ambition is further emphasized by the refrain “Why you gotta do it like that” that suggests there is more than one way to succeed, but the rapper chooses his unique path.
In the second verse, RBX explores his desires and experiences with women, partying, and drugs: the excitement and the dangers. He connects his own behavior with that of the mythical character Thanos of the Marvel universe. RBX also uses Samurai and Hip Hop imagery to convey his determination and skill, while referencing the hip hop group Madvillian in one line. The verse contrasts partying with making big business deals and investing in oneself, while pointing out that the price of success is being always on guard and ready for action.
The third verse by Quazedelic talks about the importance of hard work, persistence and taking risks to get noticed in a crowded industry. He argues that success requires dedication, as well as sacrifice: time, money, and energy. Quazedelic uses yet another metaphor, that of a phone's battery, to emphasize the need to stay focused and use time wisely. The chorus is repeated through the song to highlight the importance of staying true to oneself and not being sidetracked by what others are doing or saying.
Line by Line Meaning
Why you gotta do it like that
Why do you have to act in that manner?
Let me just hone my craft
Allow me to improve my skills
Ima just spit on my raps
I'm going to deliver my lyrics passionately
How he really do em like that
Why does he perform his verses in such a unique way?
I'm coolin and I'm flippin and rippin it on tracks
I'm relaxed, energetic, and demonstrating my skills
That's badd
That's unfortunate
I don't give a fuck about class
I don't care about social status or reputation
I just wanna make mad racks
My primary goal is to earn a significant amount of money
No cap
I'm not lying
Fact of the matter is that I'm in it no laughter
The truth is I'm fully committed and serious
I be on my bag, after I'm out, fuck the chatter
I focus on my own success and disregard gossip or rumors
On clout
Regarding popularity and influence
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Braydon Wald, Kevin Egbujor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wetdiaper
Back in the 90's when I was a teen, I had an X Clan album but didn't like it much because I was more into gangsta rap. Man was I stupid! Listening to this now in my 40's I realize this is actually GREAT conscious music!!
scorpitarius 1122
True music for mind, body, and soul given to us from the motherland, protected by the spirits of our ancestors, presented to us by the Mighty X-CLAN.
Pentiumboots
It sounds like congo drums in the back ground. I have this album in my collection. I had all X-Clan music at one time. I love it.
Thomas Bibby
This beat is hard! Gotta respect good music
jeff liboyi
real hip hop is still alive
K Cooper
Wow this song is TIGHT!!! Never heard it before!!!
Saifullah Rahman
Still good music, with truth that is now unspoken... Deseption is now what we hear all the time...
Richard Williams
I HEAR NOTHIN BUT AFRICAN DRUMS..THIS IS SO POWERFUL.
dreddy75
So rare So great!
Asaru Alim El-Bey
VOODOO!!! RUNNIN' FROM MY MAGIC!!!