After 26 years behind bars, legendary Sacramento MC X-Raided is on the verge of releasing his long-awaited LP California Dreamin’. It’s now confirmed that the project is going to be released via RBC Records, which was acquired by (and is distributed through) Sony BMG — home to acts like Chief Keef, Waka Flocka Flame, and many more.
It’s a deal the rapper says has been a long time coming.
“Brian Shafton, Senior Vice President of Recorded Music at BMG (and Founder/GM of RBC Records) has been in constant contact with me for nearly a decade,” X-Raided reveals to HipHopDX.
“When I was getting ready for [parole] board, I told Brian about my chances of coming home, and he made it clear that he didn’t see why they would keep me in prison any longer … he believed I was coming home.”
Shafton also wrote an email, which X-Raided showed to the board to prove that he indeed had legitimate business and philanthropic opportunities available to him, should he be released.
“This is deeper than rap. Brian had faith in me when I had a Life sentence, and I am free with the ultimate faith in him as well,” he says.
With no official release date for California Dreamin’ in place, he does reveal that he’s been working with DJ Fresh, E-A-Ski, Tha Mekanix, Faided, and the legendary Mally Mall. “The album is insanely good … I’m excited to get it out. It’s gonna be a moment for West Coast Hip Hop!”
Macaframalama even if I’m in the slamma! #Classic
MY favorite song of his!!!
He released an album last year that was really good and was covered by this site so not sure why they’re acting like this is his first post prison album.
Congratulations to the homie X-Raided!
I was blessed enough to perform on the same stage as him!
I go by Ragz The King &y’all better be on the lookout for me,
cuz I WILL make it in this Musicc game & I WILL make a positive difference!!
MARK MY WORDS!! Yeee,
– R.T.K
Wow, congrats to X. Regardless of what people may think of this man, this is proof of never letting go of your dreams.
Some 10-12 yrs back when I lived, ate, slept & shat murda murda hiphop shit (was looking for the “roots” of horrorcore, further back than Gravediggaz, Flatlinerz & Ganxta NIP, getting the feel for the vein) & I stumbled over X-Raided’s debut LP and read his story and damn there was some serious investments made, professional shit. Good rapper too (not when recorded over phone tho). I bet the industry was disappointed, him gettin locked up for life right at the zenith of wc rap money (circa 1989-1992). Cant speak on the question of his guilt (US jail sentences are grotesque by default, 26 years is a long time no matter what) but he’s aged with grace considering the environment. Which may point to him getting by well inside. Which in turn points to him being a genuine psychopath. Not judging, just saying. Speculative.