With the tragic passing of Hip Hop
cultural leader Professor X in March 2006, the message of X-Clan and
the Blackwatch Movement is being carried forward by his protégé, Brother
J, X-Clan’s co-founder and spokesman.
Making its debut in 1990 with, To The East Blackwards,
and with there 1992 sophomore effort, Xodus, (both of which are
considered classics and peaked at #11 on the Hip Hop charts) X-Clan was
at the forefront of Hip Hop’s cultural movement. With hits like Funkin’ Lesson, Heed The Word of the Brother and Raise The Flag, X-Clan secured hip-hop as their vehicle to
deliver and advance the science and math of upliftment, popularizing the ideas
of Malcolm X, Sonny Carson, Huey Newton
and Clarence 13X, while keeping dance floors packed.
After nearly a decade long hiatus, Brother J, Ultraman
Ra Hanna, ACL, DJ FatJack, Kumu M. Haynes and Master China will
carry forward the message into the next generation of X-Clan with the
release of Return From Mecca,
which will be released on 10-31-06 and finds the group reforming their
groundbreaking tradition of displaying ancestral wisdom, culture and a
signature lyrical style that appeals to all generations of hip-hop.
Joining X-Clan on their celebrated return are a bevy of
high-profile collaborators; among them Jurassic 5’s Chali 2NA, KRS-One,
Jacoby Shaddix of pap Roach, RBX, Abstract Rude and YZ (as of press
time, X-Clan is also in the studio putting the finishing touches on a
still unnamed track with Damian Marley which will make the LP). In
addition, there are also a bevy of buzz worthy West Coast producers chipping in
production, including the legendary DJ Quik, DJ Khalil, Jake One and Bean
One. X-Clan’s new LP also marks the group’s debut for hip-hop and
underground tastemakers Suburban Noize Records.
In addition the group will be on tour with Jurassic 5
promoting the new release. The tour dates, which follow appearances by X-Clan
at the Def Poetry Jam, the Legends of Hip Hop Concert and a 17-date tour with
Grammy-winning reggae star Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
–will be surrounded by an intense buzz by X-Clan fans eagerly awaiting the
band’s new studio effort Return From
Mecca, which will drop October 31.
Members of the X-Clan are
calling for a boycott of the new ‘World
Trade Center’
movie. You can read the rest of the story here: http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/35730/1/World-Trade-Center-omits-Black-soldier/WTC-movies-unsung-hero.html.
