Heed The Words Of A Brother by X Clan

    

 This Friday, like we always do about this time, on The Old School, New School, Need To Learn Though Show we are continuing our Hip Hop 101 series and for the next 3 days I will be telling the behind the scenes stories of some of the songs I’ll be playing. Today’s blog is the story behind Heed The Words Of a Brother by X Clan.

Robert Lumumba Carson, much to the chagrin of his family, became immersed in Hip Hop culture heavy in the mid 1980′s .  His family’s concern was not so much that they did not like the music, but they wanted him to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the “family business”. See, Robert’s dad was Sonny Carson. Sonny Carson as he described himself was “insistent, consistent, and resistant,”.   Sonny Carson was a black nationalist and his son growing up in Brooklyn dealt with the internal tug of war of following in his father’s footsteps and uplift his people or follow the draw of  the hip hop starting to take over the streets of New York City at the time. He figured out a way to do both

Robert Lumumba Carson, through radio connections became close friends with Russell Simmons and for a while served as the road manager for Whodini. After awhile he met self proclaimed “computer geek” Claude “Paradise” Gray.  In addition to messing with the Radio Shack TRS-80 computer, Paradise was also a producer and a manager.  They joined forces and managed Stetsasonic, Just Ice, King Sun and Positive K.  By 1988 Paradise was managing The World nightclub and he and Robert formed Blackwatch and X Clan.  Grand Verbalizer Brother J, a former DJ, and beatbox for the Bugout Crew (eventually becoming The Jungle Brothers) was the MC. Sugar Shaft The Rhythym Provider, an old friend of Brother J’s, was the DJ and the man who gave Robert Lumumba Carson the name Professor X.  X Clan was the musical arm of Blackwatch and production was done by the entire group.  The most recognizable consistent thing about X Clan besides how visually Pro Black they were was, The monologues of Professor X (R.I.P.)  One of my favorite groups and their jump off song was Heed The Words of A Brother. 

Brother J had the lyrics to this song awhile back, written to the “More Bounce To The Ounce” beat by Roger Troutman and Zapp.  DJ Mark the 45 king, the only outside producer on the album, produced this track.  Paradise put in the hook, and the “Flashlight” intro and of course Professor X added his special touch on the monologue and a classic was born.  Even now this song is still relevant, powerful and funky as hell.  Enjoy. 

          

Ya Man,

The Professor

~ by Professor Mike on June 23, 2010.