Grand Puba

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Grand Puba
Grand Puba in 2014.jpg
Grand Puba performing, 2014.
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Brewster Dixon III
Also known asGrand Puba Maxwell
Grand P
Born (1966-03-04) March 4, 1966 (age 58)
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
Years active1985–present
Labels
Member of Brand Nubian
Formerly ofMasters of Ceremony

Maxwell Dixon (born William Brewster Dixon III; March 4, 1966), [1] [2] known professionally as Grand Puba, is an American rapper and record producer, best known as one of the members of the group Brand Nubian from New Rochelle, New York. [3] He was formerly a member of Masters of Ceremony .

Contents

Early life

Puba was born on March 4, 1966 [4] in New Rochelle, New York. During the late 1970's, Puba first got into hip hop after purchasing cassettes of his favorite artists such as The Cold Crush Brothers, T-Connection and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. [5] Puba attended the Remington Boys Club in New Rochelle. While at his club for boys, a DJ by the name of Grand Mixer DXT would send out cassette tapes at his club, to where Puba would learn to rap and write rhymes. His first cousin by the name of Dr. Who (Tod Dixon), [6] that would later form a group with Puba as Masters of Ceremony, would bang on tables, spitting rhymes with each other. Puba himself was also a breakdancer. He began making beats on cassettes of his own, around in New Rochelle where he grew up. When he was finally known, he started DJing at clubs after his popularity grew. His first rap group was called the "Tray Bag MC's". [7]

Career

He made his debut as Grand Puba Maxwell with the group Masters of Ceremony in 1985. [8] [9] It's album Dynamite (1988) was hailed by critics, but because of lack of sales the group soon disbanded and Puba became the lead emcee of Brand Nubian after working out a deal with A&R Dante Ross and signing to Elektra Records. [7] [9] After their debut album One for All (1990) — covering areas from reggae-influenced hip hop music to new jack swing — Puba left the group after disputes and began a solo career. [9] He released his first solo album Reel to Reel on Elektra Records in 1992, alongside with DJ Stud Doogie and DJ Alamo who was previously a member with Brand Nubian. In 1992 Sean "Puffy" Combs tapped Grand Puba to collaborate with up & coming R&B singer Mary J. Blige on her debut album "What's the 411" The title song in which Puba co-wrote was the first time Blige incorporated her own rap technique which proved to be very successful. This was a rap/r&b hit record that went to number one on the R&B charts in the early spring of 1993. He released his second album 2000 in 1995. Around 1997 he rejoined the group, recording a few tracks for various soundtracks leading up to the full-length album Foundation in 1998. Puba's states in an interview with Billboard , saying "I never did go, i just wanted that experience and it was a good thing". [10] In 1999, Grand Puba and Sadat X performed on the track "Once Again" on Handsome Boy Modeling School's concept album So... How's Your Girl?. After following Brand Nubian's 2004 record Fire in the Hole, Grand Puba appeared on tracks with Beanie Sigel ("Bread and Butter", also featuring groupmate Sadat X), Missy Elliott ("My Struggles", featuring his onetime collaborator Mary J. Blige), and Ugly Duckling ("Something's Going Down Tonight").

He released his third album Understand This in 2001 on Koch Records.

In 2009, Grand Puba released his fourth solo album, Retroactive , featuring production from Q-Tip, Large Professor, Kid Capri as well as fellow Brand Nubians. Puba also appeared on the heavy posse cut "Fresh" together with Cormega, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, DJ Red Alert and PMD.

In 2016, he released his fifth album Black from the Future .

Personal life

Puba's son, Sonny Dixon, who goes by the name,”Stunna Gang” is also a rapper. [11]

Discography

Studio albums

Solo


with Masters of Ceremony

  • Dynamite (1988)

with Brand Nubian

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand Nubian</span> American hip hop group

Brand Nubian is an American hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, composed of three emcees, and formerly three DJs. Their debut studio album, One for All (1990), is one of the most popular and acclaimed alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s, known for socially conscious and political lyrics inspired by the teachings of The Nation of Gods and Earths. In 2008, About.com placed the group on its list of the 25 Greatest Rap Groups of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Positive K</span> American rapper

Positive K is an American MC and songwriter from the Bronx, New York City, New York, and one of the original artists of the First Priority Music camp. He is best known for his hits "I'm Not Havin' It" and his 1992 hit "I Got a Man".

<i>One for All</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1990 studio album by Brand Nubian

One for All is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian, released on December 4, 1990, by Elektra Records. The album was highly acclaimed for its politically charged and socially conscious content. Sales never matched the wide acclaim — the album has only sold 350,000 copies as of May 2013 — but it has remained in print since its 1990 release. The album is mainly produced by Brand Nubian, but it also features production by Skeff Anselm, Stimulated Dummies, and Dave "Jam" Hall. The album's production contains many motifs of hip hop's golden age including James Brown-sampled breakbeats and funky R&B loops. The album is broken down track-by-track by Brand Nubian in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

<i>In God We Trust</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1993 studio album by Brand Nubian

In God We Trust is the second album from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on February 2, 1993, by Elektra.

<i>Foundation</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1998 studio album by Brand Nubian

Foundation is the fourth album by hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 29, 1998, via Arista. The album marked the reunion of the four original members, Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo, who hadn't released an album together since their 1990 debut One for All.

<i>Fire in the Hole</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Brand Nubian

Fire in the Hole is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on August 10, 2004 via Babygrande Records. Recording sessions took place at State Street Studios in Brooklyn. Production was handled by members DJ Alamo, Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar, who also served as executive producer together with Chuck Wilson. It features guest appearances from Starr and Aisha Mike. The album made it to No. 57 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Jamar</span> American actor and rapper

Lorenzo Dechalus, known professionally as Lord Jamar, is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, actor and podcaster. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Brand Nubian, which was formed in 1989. In 1996, he discovered Dead Prez and got them signed to Loud Records.

<i>Reel to Reel</i> 1992 studio album by Grand Puba

Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992, through Elektra Records. The recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal, and at The Hit Factory in New York. The album was produced by Grand Puba, Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri, and the Brand New Heavies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadat X</span> American rapper (born 1968)

Derek W. Murphy, better known as Sadat X, is an American rapper, best known as a member of alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.

<i>Black October</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Sadat X

Black October is the third solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X. It was released on October 3, 2006 through Riverside Drive Records. Recording sessions took place at The Thingamajig Lab, The Dojo and The Dewgarde Crib Of Hits in New York, at Rum Blanc Recordings LLC, at Hills Have Eyes Studio, and at Clutch Recordings. Production was handled by Scotty Blanco, Ayatollah, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D, DJ Pawl, DJ Spinna, Gensu Dean, Greg Nice, J-Zone, Marco Polo, Spencer Doran, The Asmatik and Vin The Chin, with Peter Agoston serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Big Meg, Boss Money Gangstas, Brand Nubian, Greg Nice and Tommy Gibbs.

<i>2000</i> (Grand Puba album) 1995 studio album by Grand Puba

2000 is the second solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on June 20, 1995, through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios, Platinum Island Studios, Battery Studios, V. Dubbs Studios, Acme Recording Studios, Fiber Studios, and Chung King Studios in New York. Production was handled by Mark Sparks, Minnesota, DJ Alamo, Chris Liggio and Dante Ross. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200 and at number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

<i>Understand This</i> 2001 studio album by Grand Puba

Understand This is the third solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba. It was released on October 23, 2001 through Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Acme Recording Studios in Mamaroneck, New York. Production was handled by Grand Puba and Lord Jamar. It features guest appearances from Tiffany Johnson, Khadijah Mohammed, The Restless, and fellow Brand Nubian members Sadat X and Lord Jamar. The album did not reach the Billboard 200, however, it peaked at number 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 12 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States. The album produced three singles: "Understand This", "Up & Down", and "Issues".

<i>Wild Cowboys</i> 1996 album by Sadat X

Wild Cowboys is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X of Brand Nubian. It was released on July 15, 1996, via Loud Records. The recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Greene St. Recording in New York, and at Chris Biondo Studios in Washington, D.C. It was produced by Sadat, Diamond D, Buckwild, DJ Ogee, Ali Malek, Ant Greene Father Time, Da Beatminerz, Dante Ross, DJ Alamo, Minnesota, Pete Rock, and Showbiz. It features guest appearances from Shawn Black, DV Alias Khrist, Deda, Grand Puba, Kool Chuck, Money Boss Players, Tec, Sha Sha and Regina Hall. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

<i>Brand New Bein</i> 2009 studio album by Sadat X

Brand New Bein' is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X. It was released on May 5, 2009, through Ground Original/Cold Heat Entertainment. Production was handled entirely by DJ JS-1 and Johnny Walker. It features guest appearances from Jak Danielz, Craig G, Buckshot, CL Smooth, C-Rayz Walz, KRS-One, Okwerdz, Poison Pen, Rahzel, Twan, and fellow Brand Nubian members Grand Puba and Lord Jamar.

<i>Retroactive</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Grand Puba

Retroactive is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba. It was released on June 9, 2009 via Babygrande Records. Production was handled by DJ PhD, Billy Brick, Big Throwback, Elements, Grant Parks, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and Grand Puba himself. It features guest appearances from his fellow Brand Nubian groupmates Lord Jamar and Sadat X, Kid Capri, Big Phill, Khadijah Mohammed, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Rell, Sarah Martinez, Talee and Tiffani Davis. The album did not reach the Billboard 200, however, it peaked at number 97 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

<i>The Very Best of Brand Nubian</i> 2001 greatest hits album by Brand Nubian

The Very Best of Brand Nubian is the first greatest hits album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 18, 2001 through Rhino Entertainment. Production was handled by members Grand Puba, Lord Jamar and Sadat X, as well as Diamond D, Stimulated Dummies and Chris "CL" Liggio, with Barry "Rockbarry" Benson serving as compilation producer. It features a lone guest appearance from Diamond D.

"360° " is a song written, performed and produced by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on July 16, 1992, through Elektra Records as the lead single from his debut studio album Reel to Reel. The song features a vocal sample of "What Goes Around " by Gladys Knight & the Pips. A remix version of the song was made by the Stimulated Dummies and also included in the album as a bonus track.

<i>Black from the Future</i> 2016 studio album by Grand Puba

Black from the Future is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Grand Puba from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on April 15, 2016 through Babygrande Records with distribution via iHipHop Distribution. Production was handled by Big Sproxx, DJ PhD, Vance Wright and Grand Puba himself, with Chuck Wilson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Isis Aja and Khadijah Mohammed.

This is the discography of American hip hop group Brand Nubian. The group released six studio albums and three compilation albums that featured hit singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Alamo</span> American rapper

Keith Jones better known by his stage name DJ Alamo or Alamo is an American DJ and producer, who is best known for being one of the original founding members of Brand Nubian.

References

  1. ↑ "Grand Puba". IMDb.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Grand Puba | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic . Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Brand Nubian | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Happy 55th Birthday To Brand Nubian Founder Grand Puba!". thesource.com. March 4, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Godcast Episode 173: Grand Puba". Youtube.com. May 1, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Masters of Ceremony: DJ Shabazz, Grand Puba Maxwell, Dr. Who, Don Barron". nmaahc.si.edu. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Sadat X on how Brand Nubian started, his Hip Hop heroes, & being a Five Percenter Juan EP is Life". Youtube.com. March 4, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Masters of Ceremony: DJ Shabazz, Grand Puba Maxwell, Dr. Who, Don Barron".
  9. 1 2 3 Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 178. ISBN   0-7535-0427-8.
  10. ↑ Oumano, Elena (1998). Billboard Top R&B Albums. Billboar Magazine.
  11. ↑ "Grand Puba's Seed Sonny Dixon Drops Lyrical Heat On A Statik Selektah Beat – "God Body Tendency"". insomniacmagazine.com. September 5, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
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