On this date in 1994, Brand Nubian’s Lord Jamar and Sadat X, without the group’s founder, Grand Puba, released the New Rochelle-based crew’s second album Everything Is Everything on the Elektra imprint.
Two years after Puba got a taste of the solo artist life with his Reel To Reel LP, Dotty and Lord J along with DJ Sincere put their heads together to put out an album that was almost exclusively produced by Lord Jamar himself. There weren’t a bunch of guest appearances besides fellow 5%er Busta Rhymes on the “Nubian Jam” and DITC’s Buckwild, who produced Sadat’s solo track “Alladat”. Despite the lackluster reception and commercial success of the project, the album produced two solid singles; “Word Iz Bond” and “Hold On”, which were featured on a number of syndicated television series. The single “Lick Dem Muthaphuckas” was featured on the Menace 2 Society soundtrack.
Salute to Jamar, Dot, Sincere, Buckwild for creating this important piece Hip Hop History!
In an exclusive sit down with Hip Hop podcast Art Of Dialogue, vocal Brand Nubian member Lord jamar delves into the lyrical content of one of the Notorious B.I.G.’s classic hits amid Diddy’s sex trafficking and racketeering scandal and says that some of Biggie’s bars aren’t aging well in this day and time.
“Biggie has some of the most out-of-pocket lyrics of any rapper ever and hopefully there will never be a rapper with worse lyrics,” Jamar injected into the convo. “But there’s so much sh*t that Biggie said that people just overlooked at the time and now, when we fast-forward to where we’re at, and hear about all the sh*t with Puff, now, certain things are not aging. It was bad back then but it’s aging even worse.” He went on to say, “I don’t care how good a woman looks, I would never give fellatio to her father because she’s so beautiful.”
Jamar then expounded on an industry rumor that there was a transgender “dude” in the videos for “Big Poppa” and in the bed with Biggie in the visuals for “Warning”. He went on to say that the same transgender was in the “Flava In Ya Ear” (Remix) video dancing behind LL Cool J, who began his verse saying “HeShe!”
He concluded his take on the current climate around Diddy by saying, “With all of this baby oil splashing around, you’re gonna get some on you. If you get some on you, that’s when things start to get slippery.”
Lord Jamar always has something to say. The rapper has become a regular on podcasts and interview channels. He has bold opinions and wild stories, and he regularly sticks by both. It was only a matter of time before Lord Jamar weighed in on the Diddy situation. The rapper claims to have heard stories about Diddy dating back to the early 1990s. He seem unsurprised by the wave of allegations leveled at the Bad Boy founder. In fact, he claims that Diddy’s sexuality actually led to him being fired from his first industry job.
Diddy got his start as an A&R at Uptown Records in the early 1990s. He worked under Andre Harrell, and helped to develop iconic R&B acts like Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. Diddy was fired from Uptown in 1993, in turn leading to the creation of Bad Boy Records. Diddy has repeatedly blamed his ambition as the reason he was fired, but Lord Jamar tells another story. The Brand Nubian rapper alleges that Diddy was let go because he was caught having sex with another man in the Uptown offices. “That’s why I heard,” Lord Jamar told The Art of Dialogue. “He got caught in a precarious act, doing something real baby oil-ish in the office.”
Lord Jamar says he heard Diddy was caught with another man at Uptown Records, which led to him being fired, while speaking on rumors that Diddy has been bisexual since the 90’s.
Lord Jamar implied that the other man involved in the alleged “precarious act” is also someone of not. He declines naming the man, however. “I don’t know,” the rapper stated. “I’m just saying, that was the rumor.” Jamar then went on to allege that Diddy is part of a so-called “Gay Mafia” within the music industry. He didn’t get into detail about who the other members of this alleged group were. He did, however, claim that the Bad Boy founder is not actually the one in charge.
“You just saw one of the gay mafia members. That’s who he is, that’s who Puffy is,” Lord Jamar told the outlet. “He is one of the members of the mob. He’s a mafia member. But he might not be the Don Carl, he is not the godfather. He is one of the heads of the family.” Jamar isn’t the only one who has claimed to have heard unnerving rumors about Diddy in the 1990s. The latter’s former bodyguard alleged that he heard a story involving Diddy and a teenage Usher, which you learn more about here.
Lord Jamar is not one to hold back his opinions. The latest to get a bit of his mind is Drake, who he believes should not be permitted to say the N-word.
“I could see you going back to the white people when nobody is around and saying ‘Yeah, I say n***a in my rhymes and they don’t say anything to me,’” Jamar suggested. “‘That’s because they think I’m one of them, but I’m really one of you.’
“You’ve got to choose a lane, bro. Choose a lane. He wants to be everything to all people it seems like, and you can’t do that. You’ve got to pick a side.”
Lord Jamar says he doesn’t like how Drake uses the n-word and suspects that Drake talks negatively about black people to white people.
Lord Jamar has problems with lots of different artists. The legendary rapper has become better known for his critiques than his music, and his recent The Art of Dialogue interview supported this. Jamar went after Sexyy, insulting the way she looked and smelt. The rapper claimed that Sexyy Red looked “icky and hot.” He described her as the kind of woman who smells “like a room full of sex,” and urged men to “do better.” Needless to say, Sexyy Red did not let these criticisms slide.
Sexyy Red reposted the Lord Jamar interview on Instagram with the text “ask @chieffkeeffsossa do I stink.” Sexyy and Chief Keef have been linked for the better part of a year. That said, both artists have maintained that they are friends. The former called Chief Keef her “brother” after posting flirtatious photos with him on Instagram. That hasn’t stopped the romance rumors from swirling, however. The rapper placed Chief Keef’s chain in her panties during an IG post in June. She also claimed that her baby daddy went through her text messages with Keef shortly after she gave birth.
Sexyy’s response to Lord Jamar suggests that something sexual went down between her and Chief Keef. Either way, the rapper has grown accustomed to hate from other artists. Sexyy Red actually talked about hate during a new episode of HBO’s The Shop. While the episode premieres July 11, a teaser clip saw Sexyy Red talking about the way that hatred motivates her.
“They still don’t believe in me, so I’m just gonna show you who I am,” she told Andre 3000. “Ain’t nobody doing this.” The Outkast rapper urged Sexyy Red to keep doing what she was doing, and ignore what her critics have to say. “Use it for fuel,” he posited. “Hater fuel, man, it’s the best sh*t.”
The battle of Kendrick Lamar versus Drake still has folks grasping for more, but what’s the rush when there’s so much left to debate? Of course, many of the topics, themes, and elements of this beef etched themselves into the hip-hop history books long before this flare-up. Folks have discussed Drizzy’s biracial status for over a decade, and K.Dot has always found it hard to be the biggest rapper trying to say something deeper about the industry and systems that he found success in. On that last note, though, Brand Nubian’s Lord Jamar agrees with the Compton lyricist’s view that his Toronto rival’s use of the n-word is “cringeworthy.”
Moreover, Lord Jamar posited that Kendrick Lamar never said that Drake can’t say the n-word: just that it’s cringe. He thinks that Aubrey Graham uses too many accents and voices in his music for his use of the word to come off as genuine, calling out “all these different Drakes that this motherf***er comes out with.” “The only reason why he kind of gets away with it is that his father’s Black,” Jamar added later on. Not only that, but he pointed out that the OVO boss grew up with his white mother, not Dennis Graham.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 28, 2024
Furthermore, Lord Jamar suggested that Drake did not engage with that word in the same way that biracial folks that grew up in a Black environment did. “That s**t is catchy, he do make some catchy f***ing s**t,” he conceded, albeit in a way that theorized on why he “gets away” with this. Overall, it’s a very complex issue that has much deeper roots than just hip-hop. But it’s important to understand that attacks on the “Tuscan Leather” MC can be misguidedly discriminatory, invalidating, and exclusionary, and that Kendrick Lamar’s criticism of his use of the n-word is not a simple matter of being biracial.
Meanwhile, folks will sadly always clown Drake for whatever reason, and it’s usually not as deep as this. But there’s a lot of nuance that every party involved in this specific breakdown is missing out on. As such, it’s key for media consumers to see both sides of the argument and reach a more comprehensive understanding of the matter, especially if they are not Black themselves. Until then, these words will inspire many more debates like this.
Today, Seven Lights Productions in conjunction with the 5% Nation will be holding the Inaugural “Supreme Mathematics Awards” ceremony, which will be held in Brooklyn’s Paragon Ballroom. Hosted by C&C Music Factory’s Freedom Williams, the show features appearances from notable Hip Hop artists such as AZ, Lord Jamar, King Sun and other well known rappers from the 5% culture such as Estee Nack, Raz Fresco, Kasim Allah, Tragedy Khadafi, Lakim Shabazz and countess others.
The award show is the first of its kind, heading off the Nation’s Annual Show And Prove Weekend, which is a celebration of the accomplishment’s of the 5% since the assassination of the Nation’s founder during the same weekend in 1969. This is also a celebration of the Nation’s 60th anniversary, reminiscent of the Nation’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which was held at the World Famous Apollo Theater and featured Erykah Badu, Big Daddy Kane, The World Famous Supreme Team and many others.
The event will also be live streamed from Polygon at 7pm courtesy of Seven Lights Productions and will be presenting awards to notable members of Allah’s 5% Nation as well as the community in areas of music, health, sports, medicine, technology, community affairs and of course, education.
Today in 1993, Brand Nubian released their sophomore album, In God We Trust on Elektra Records as a follow up to their five mic classic All For One.
With Grand Puba embarking on a solo career and a year into the success of his Reel to Reel album, Sadat X and Lord Jamar kept it all mathematical, dropping the science taught by the 5% Nation, which was the original objective of the four-man squad from New Rochelle, New York. Whether they were proudly saluting the 5% by singing their rendition of the Nation’s anthem”The Enlightener”, police brutality “Black and Blue” or just beating down punks “Punks Jump Up”, the Native Tongues affiliates always bring their lyrical A-game to the table when it’s time to go in the booth.
Salute to Sadat and Lord J for this timeless classic!
In the golden age of hip-hop, Brand Nubian emerged as a powerful and influential force, blending socially conscious lyrics with a distinctly soulful sound. In the 1990s, the group, with founding members Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar, actively soared to prominence by delivering thought-provoking messages layered over booming beats, resonating with fans, and occasionally sparking controversy. With classic albums like One For All and In God We Trust, Brand Nubian’s impact on shaping the culture and the genre is undeniable. However, as time has marched forward, the whereabouts and endeavors of this trailblazing trio have become a source of curiosity for fans. Here’s a brief look into where the trio have been in recent years.
Since the final collaborative days of Brand Nubian, Grand Puba has navigated a versatile solo career, showcasing his distinctive flow and lyrical prowess. As a solo artist, he released five studio albums, with the most recent venture being 2016’s Black From The Future. Grand Puba’s solo work often delves into socio-political themes, mirroring the conscious lyricism that defined Brand Nubian. Unfortunately, these political messages have led to controversy for the group, as many fans consider the pro-Black rhetoric explored on Brand Nubian records analogous to Five-Percenter talking points. Critics often characterize the Five-Percenter movement as antisemitic, with prominent figures like Louis Farrakhan frequently facing criticism for promoting hateful conspiracies in the name of Black separatism.
In recent months, Grand Puba has taken to social media to promote musical ventures from both his son and daughter, who perform under the stage names Stunna Gang and Pretty Hoopz, respectively. Puba has also reunited with his Brand Nubian cohorts for viral performances on web series’ such as Live On The Front Porch.
Sadat X
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 15: Sadat X of Brand Nubian performs at 5 Spot on April 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Sadat X has maintained a prolific solo career both during the height of Brand Nubian’s fame and in the years after the group disbanded. As a solo artist, X has released a staggering 12 full-length LPs, with the most recent record Science Of Life premiering in 2022. The rapper also holds a prolific place as a community leader in his home of New Rochelle, New York. Outside of rap, Sadat X has taught in elementary school and coached children’s basketball. The “Slow Down” vocalist has also received training as a firefighter, with the intention of volunteering when the community calls on him.
As a solo act, Sadat X has also appeared in prominent placements on tracks such as “Show Business” by A Tribe Called Quest, “Come On” by The Notorious B.I.G., and “Stay In Ya Lane” by Marley Marl. The rapper faced firearm possession charges in 2005, but the legal battle fortunately did little to tarnish the respected MC’s reputation. The hip-hop iconoclast is also a noted wine connoisseur, as evidenced by his creation of the web series True Wine Connoisseurs in 2009.
Lord Jamar
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 01: Lord Jamar attends the YO! MTV Raps 30th Anniversary Live Event at Barclays Center on June 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Lord Jamar, the Brand Nubian rapper with the most clear-cut and unambiguous ties to the Five-Percenter movement, has experienced a significant amount of controversy in his career. His debut solo album, released in 2006 is titled The 5% Album, as a clear nod to his political leanings. In 2013, the rapper received backlash for releasing the Kanye West diss record “Lift Up Your Skirt” which many fans perceived to be homophobic. The track contained lyrics such as “Instagram Black man looking half a f**, with the blazer and dress, I’m just amazed at the mess. Pioneer of this queer sh** is Kanye West” and “I rebuke all this gay sh**, some are scared to say sh**.”
The Brand Nubian rapper has also made a number of polarizing comments on his podcast Yanadameen Godcast with cohost Rah Digga. On the pod, Lord Jamar has made claims that white rappers such as Eminem are guests in hip-hop culture and that Black Lives Matter does not adequately represent the needs and desires of the black community. In December 2020, Lord Jamar unequivocally expressed his disbelief that 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. During an interview with Rizza Islam, Jamar stated “Check the records: There wasn’t even six million Jews in Europe at that time. There was about 500,000 over there, in Germany, in Europe, there was no six million, so what are we talking about? Stop it.”
Social media users are claiming that Keith Murray has a drug problem. Murray has mentioned in the past how he dabbled with a variety of drugs. He made news this year when he alleged that he had sexual relations with rappers Foxy brown and Shawnna. Now video has appeared online of the Def Squad rapper appearing to be inebriated outside during the day time. Rapper Lord Jamar who previously had a back and forth with Murray posted the video to his Instagram.
Lord Jamar wrote:
Our brother @keithmurrayrap obviously needs serious help….I don’t have to see this man do drugs in front of me to know he’s on drugs. Dude crossed a line with me, that I believe if he wasn’t on drugs he wouldn’t have crossed, so I forgive him. We need to get our brother clean, cause this is a horrible look.
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: The Art Of Dialogue/YouTube) 
(@nojumper)
