Today in Hip-Hop History: Brand Nubian Dropped Their Debut Album ‘One For All’ 33 Years Ago

BrandNubian

On December 4, 1990, Brand Nubian released their classic Five Mic debut album One For All on Elektra Records. Boasting production Dante Ross, Skeff Anslem, the SD 50s (Stimulated Dummies), Jam as well as their own hands on the boards, Brand Nubian arguably released one of the most influential debut albums in Hip Hop history. The Source Magazine’s Record Report of All For One gave the LP a perfect rating, stating AFO, “overflows with creativity, originality, and straight-up talent. […] the type of record that captures a whole world of music, rhymes, and vibes with a completely new style.”

Over 30 years ago, Grand Puba Maxwell of the Masters Of Ceremony linked up with the Gods Derrick X and Lord Jamar Allah, recruited X’s childhood pal Alamo as the DJ to form the four-man crew of Brand Nubian. The crew pioneered the sound of the Gods, infusing the knowledge and wisdom of the 5% Nation in their lyrical content, and used the music to attract many young Black youths of that era to Black consciousness. Together the quartet has only released this album, but Lord J and Derrick X, who is now known as Sadat X, have dropped two additional projects under the Brand Nubian flag. Even with all of their respective solo endeavors, their collective impact on the culture of the rap game is forever embedded in the fabric of Hip Hop.

Salute to Puba, Lord Jamar, Sadat, Alamo, Stud Dougee(RIP), Dante Ross, Skeff, and everyone at Elektra who was involved in bringing the people such an important part of Hip Hop history!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Brand Nubian Dropped Their Debut Album ‘One For All’ 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Brand Nubian Dropped Their Debut Album ‘One For All’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: The Ultramagnetic MCs Released ‘Critical Beatdown’ LP 35 Years Ago

Screen Shot 2023 10 04 at 8.53.48 AM

Kool Keith and the gang offer up a five-mic classic as their debut LP 35 years ago.

Now, this is what you call that real NYC “Golden Era” Hip Hop. BX natives Ced Gee, Moe Love, TR Love, and the infamous Doctor Octagon aka Kool Keith can celebrate alongside The Source in debuting a classic project three decades ago. On this date in 1988, the UltraMagnetic MCs dropped Critical Beatdown on the Next Plateau label.

With the majority of the production done in-house courtesy of Ced Gee and the rest by the late Paul C, the 15 track CB gave us Hip Hop theme songs like “Give The Drummer Some,” “Watch Me Now,” and the unforgettable “Ego Trippin’.”

Salute to Keith, Ced, Moe, and TR for this five-mic classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Ultramagnetic MCs Released ‘Critical Beatdown’ LP 35 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Ultramagnetic MCs Released ‘Critical Beatdown’ LP 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.