Brother J from X-Clan: Heed the Word

September 8, 2006
By Todd Davis (Freelance Writer)
Crave Online

X-Clan first came onto the hip-hop scene in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, when they released their critically acclaimed, ground-breaking album, To the East, Blackwards. The Brooklyn-based crew followed that record up with the equally solid Xodus, a mere two years later. Although Brother J launched a side project, Dark Sun Riders, in the mid ‘90s, the group really hasn’t been heard much from since. Sadly, this past March founding father, Professor X, born Lumumba Carson, passed away due to complications from meningitis. Rather than letting this tragic event mar their existence, co-founder and original lead emcee, Brother J, will continue to carry on the message of The Blackwatch Movement.

Crave Online: My condolences on the passing of your friend, brother, and group member, Professor X. He is, and will continue to be, sorely missed. To say that there’s been quite a few obstacles to overcome, since the masses have last heard from you all, would be a complete understatement — How are you doing at this particular time? Where are you finding the strength to continue on as a group?

Brother J: Thank you for your respects to PX — Big up to the spirit of Sugar Shaft as well. I am refreshed with purpose; strategizing adjustment into the new Millennium, [and] the translation of Hip-Hop roots to a generation that was born speaking hype, following trends, and obeying radio and video rotation. Beyond opportunity is the mission. The new additions [Ultraman Ra Hanna, ACL, DJ FatJack, Kumu M. Haynes and Master China] to the X Clan council are also teachers from various oppressed communities. They overstand the weight of our music and guidance, [and] they have known this before they were members. It is an honor again to be the spokesman of the council in the rare way that ‘Funkin’ Lesson’ gets down. We are ready to present a solid album with energy from the ancestors to spark activism — No justice, no peace.

Crave Online: Aside from dealing with your huge personal loss, professionally what have you all been up to during this lengthy musical hiatus?

Brother J: I have been stacking material like ammunition, and gathering conscious soldiers. In ’94 I produced a project that introduced the first born of the Dark Sun Riders’ house. That house has grown strong since ‘94. There are a lot of artists that are disturbed in the state of commercial Hip-Hop — Especially since it doesn’t reflect the foundation of the culture.

Crave Online: On a less somber note, I know that you just spoke on your time away from the Clan with Dark Sun Riders — So, when did you actually decide that you wanted to pursue a solo career?

Brother J: Dark Sun Riders was an introduction to a circle of producers and artists who practice the elements of Hip-Hop from the original strain. I am an example of the type of vocalists that come from that house, as Ultraman is an example of what kind of producer [also] comes from that [same] house. I don’t need a solo career. I’m not in this for ego purposes. My name has value in the lyrical communities of Hip-Hop, [and] I use that as a stamp of quality on production projects [that] I’m blessed to mold. The people can expect a minimum of three projects, from The X Clan Music Group, a year, once our machine is up and running. We are just following the Creator’s path until we can see the light on our own.

Crave Online: What opted you all to re-group, and come back out together with this brand new X Clan album?

Brother J: This is not a reunion for X Clan, this is the 2nd generation of the messenger house. Even if Professor (X) and Shaft were still living, every house needs to be cleaned, repainted, mopped and swept. Now in 2006, the old and new audiences of X Clan will witness the dusting of our shoulders. There is no contest for conscious music. The new X Clan album is called Return from Mecca, it is the journey of the messenger coming home, mending the movement sword for the Hip-Hop nation. I look forward to sharing the knowledge and vibration of our house, not only through music, but through our actions as a voice of the oppressed.

[Return from Mecca hosts appearances from Jurassic 5’s Chali 2NA, KRS-One, Damian Marley, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, RBX, Abstract Rude, and YZ, with a bevy of West Coast talent; DJ Quik, DJ Khalil, Jake One, and Bean One, manning the boards. The group is currently touring with J5 in support of their new record]

Crave Online: Since Professor X is no longer here physically, how will you all capture that same magic heard on earlier X Clan efforts? How do you all feel that the new material(s) either differ and/or compares sonically to other X Clan releases?

Brother J: I could never replace the chemistry Professor X and I had. I don’t seek to. The new material is the evolution of X Clan’s sound. No more over expensive samples, but more production options, solid mixing, guest appearances — All the things X Clan never explored. Sonically, we are able to stand up beyond the standard of today’s pop music.

Crave Online: What can listeners expect to hear on the new record?

Brother J: Expect to have your wigs peeled back!! We are too future to go retro. You can even see on the street tape we released, “Xodus” remix became “Weapon X,” “Verbal Milk” remix became “To the East.” The new Hip-Hop generation should prepare for a new experience in music. Not just Hip-Hop, but music period.

Crave Online: For those who do not know your entire back-story, tell our readers how it all began for X-Clan?

Brother J: That’s a long story, but I will say that I was born in a trunk of speakers, and dipped in a sound-wave bath. My whole love for Hip-Hop came from the old fashioned New York block party. I learned how to move the crowd as a deejay. I learned how to spit on the mic to move the crowd. I learned how to empower the breakers with the right music selections, and I learned how to inspire the expressions of other artists. Practicing this equality groomed me for crowd control and album production. House parties groomed me as a performer. Breaking the fear of the mic is the biggest thing for new-jacks.

Crave Online: You are all native New Yorkers, correct? So, growing up, who were some of your primary musical influences?

Brother J: My strongest influences are all the O.G. Flatbush deejays and emcees who held it down and made it hard to come up as a respected emcee/deejay. If the competition isn’t deep around your way, it’s hard to know if you’re the sh*t. There were artists from other boroughs that were urban legends, even if they were exaggerated in the street. Whisper your goal was to ride that same wind of honorable mention.

Crave Online: Where did the group’s moniker, X Clan, actually derive from??

Brother J: The X-Clan was the title that the Sugar Shaft and I decided to roll with when Architect Paradise decided to present our demo to Lumumba Carson. Brother Carson was named Professor X by Sugar Shaft. He gave up managing us, and joined our group after him (and) the Architect was invited — From there, the rest was history.

Crave Online: How would you all describe and/or define the style of music that X Clan creates?

Brother J: Ahhhh!! Vanglorious!! I think that statement said it all. Our style brought hope for the maturity of Hip-Hop. Our show was like a Marcus Garvey parade — Outrageous, (and) outspoken. X-Clan music is messenger music, soldier food, ‘Funkin’ Lesson,’ baby!!

Source: craveonline.com