Legendary rhyme-spitter The Grand Verbalizer Brotha J of X Clan will be performing at the Mezzanine in Frisco this Friday. Photo: Minister of Info JR

As we go down this road of Hip Hop being gorilla-pimped by capitalism, Brotha J has been on both sides of the game; signed to a major and on an indie label, which is where he is now, still talking about revolutionary consciousness although it is not currently in style. For all of you out there that look at yourselves as Hip Hop, music or cultural historians, students, scholars, activists or music lovers, it would do you some good to listen to "the People's rhyme-sayer," The Grand Verbalizer Brotha J, as we travel through history and bring it up to the present in this Q & A.

M.O.I. JR: Brotha J, how did you get into rapping? And how did X Clan come together?

Brotha J: In brief, I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. The art of survival molded my poetic nature, and hip hop made it presentable. I was blessed to be around the OGs of Hip Hop, so when I was ready to spit street knowledge and science to the people, I had a coattail or two to tug.

X Clan came together by the will of the creator, from the two-man messenger group - Brother J and Sugar Shaft - to a four-man crossroad of generations and wisdom. The addition of our mentor in movement and music strengthened our group in many ways. That's what was needed when passing on positive energy through music.

If I was just a young rapper with positive spit, my career would be based on how dope or not I am in the industry. With the movement, the love of our audience grew by our actions. X Clan was and is true and living activism for the freedom of indigenous people. Everything that is original and cultured in America is controlled or altered. Our music is about breaking those shackles.

M.O.I. JR: What is the mission of X Clan? And what is X Clan's sound - the funk - as well as style of dress about? Also, what was the BlackWatch Movement about?

Brotha J: X Clan is the Black experience translated through Hip Hop music. The funk of the acquired is a gift from our ancestors. You can't spit this level of information and vibration and not let the people get their groove on. Not only are my ancestors Thutmose and Solomon, but they are also James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Cosby etc. The art of making people feel good in the struggle is a form of morale. Street soldiers value that.

X Clan's dress code is that of the ancients: crown, beads, gold, silver, amber, jade etc. We rock the elements of the earth ‘cause we helped foundate and build here. I dress like the warrior, and I know no boundaries. No one should be slave to what they adorn; materials are a reflection of your earning, like a badge of honor. When you see X Clan, know you see honor and order, from our walk to our gear.

The BlackWatch Movement was a combination of Black nationalist values and hip hop culture. The BlackWatch was founded by Lumumba Carson (Professor X). He shared his upbringing as a youth in the grassroots movements of Brooklyn with young Hip Hop artists from all the boroughs of New York. X Clan were members of the BlackWatch Movement. We were on point (security) for years before the record biz thing went down. That's why our music is classic, because it's from a different sphere of dedication.

M.O.I. JR: If I have my info right, I understand that you took a break from X Clan in the late ‘90s and started up the Dark Sun Riders. Can you share a little of this history with us?

Brotha J: After the industry took posture against conscious music (1993-1994), we could feel the market changing from the road. I didn't want to see X Clan fade out, plus I wanted to do something different, something that was specifically for the core audience of X Clan, the ones who study the lyrics and not just jig to the beats. The Dark Sun Riders were music specialists, breakologists, legendary and young phenomenol lyricists, combat instructors, technique dj's etc.

I never got a chance to really launch that the way that I really wanted to. Sugar Shaft died during the final stages of the project, and that really deflated my sail. He would have let me know that the album was too dark in mood and that my audience is bigger than just the thinkers. I was rebelling against pop life because of how it tore the X Clan and the BlackWatch apart. We ain't no stars, we are street soldiers. I think I over-enforced that vibe on that project.

But now that I am in a better creative setting, I want to present that section of our house to the masses in this new millennium. I am an ambassador of conscious music. You would be amazed at some of the talent I bear witness to. Dark Sun Riders will be Brother J's G Unit; I've been recruiting. Now with Mil Cipher records (X Clan's recording label) putting out the new X Clan album, there will be an audience waiting to hear and feel them.

M.O.I. JR: A few weeks ago, you hooked up with the POCC to throw a "Free the SF 8! Concert" in LA. What is the importance of X Clan having a community presence?

Brotha J: I was glad to see Mos in the freedom fighters' den. You hear about events like that on the radio; you really have to keep your ear to the street. And it wasn't groupie. When you have celebrity figures in the house, folks can get to clowning with dancing and singing for a deal. There was none of that!

I stay active in the community with shows and efforts. I don't have to be reminded to give back. I live it. When I give back, I improve my own. I received the Malcolm Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, right in that same neighborhood in front of 3,000 people. I recieved the Bob Marley Peace Award in front of 15,000 people in San Diego (2006). Yet I am still judged by the sales of my records and the quality of my music videos. I care about community activity, but the people have lost respect for it.

M.O.I. JR: X Clan was one of the trailblazing groups that paved the way for Mos Def, dead prez, Askari X, Immortal Technique and Erykah Badu to be artists who speak politically through Hip Hop. What do you think about today's political Hip Hop artists? Who do you listen to?

Brotha J: I think a lot of the "political" artists of today have learned to tone down the anger. You can't be angry trying to get people to be peaceful. We are not just informing people about a backward government system; we are uplifting people's spirits while they are challenging that system, living and working in it.

M.O.I. JR: Now that you have reconvened this new generation of X Clan, how does it differ from the original X Clan? Can you introduce us to the members? Also can you tell us about your new independent album?

Brotha J: X Clan-Millennium Cipher is a continuation of the traditional wisdom and music signature of our original circle. As an original member, I know that there were adjustments that had to be made in order to make an impact on this spoiled music industry. You will see elders in our circle who have been with the BlackWatch, now in position with X Clan, no longer as just a music message group, but a guidance collective.

So as our music has evolved, so has our direction: Higher ground! You think I've come back to rap; X Clan is the spearhead for conscious music to pierce the mainstream, creating new business for cultural music. Our extended group is a cipher of teachers and masters of their element - elements that I feel as a community leader are needed in the inner cities.

So instead of teaching the youth how to make beats, teach them how to write music as well. Instead of teaching them how to dance faster, teach them grace through the royal or martial arts. The list goes on as does the struggle for rights. We shouldn't be having conversations about how to improve; we should be talking about how to build further.

There is no difference between the Clan of old, and now. The beast is stronger, and so are we. Members include Brother J, Master China, Architect Paradise, Ultraman Ra Hanna, ACL, Dj Fat Jack, Lord Cza, Kumu M. Haynes, The Mighty Shiekh, Zulu Butterfly Priest, Jah Orah, Phoenix Orion. We are updating the web sites, so that our audience can have access to all members.

We released our first independent release, "Return from Mecca," with Suburban Noize Records (February 2007). We are recording our new album with Suburban Noize and Trickle Down Ent. in Houston. We are fighting against downloading, like we used to fight the bootleggers. The promoters will never let us in your hood if the people are not buying records. There is so much good music and groups out here that you'll never see, because the support of the artist's career is minimal.

When groups step up their game, step up and buy their product, period! The music game will balance itself out from there. "Return from Mecca" is still in stores and online outlets as well. I did joints with KRS-1, Charlie 2na, Tech 9, Dj Quik, even with Damian Marley - new artists, new producers, OG lyricists and production legends. I took it to the heights. I'm waiting for the people to stop complaining and start listening. The alternative to the candy rap is out there; do your homework.

M.O.I. JR: On the net, how can people keep up with what is going on with X Clan? What is the name of the new album and where can people purchase it?

Brotha J: myspace.com/xclanmusic, xclanmusic.com. "Return from Mecca" is available at Best Buy and a few of the remaining mom's and pop's record outlets, Suburbannoizerecords.com online store. The new album will be available this year, 2008.

I would like to do an X Clan/Dead Prez album release tour. Promoters, holla at me; the streets will stand up! Peace, Brother Minister, One.

X Clan will be performing Friday at the Mezzanine in San Francisco at 10 p.m.

Email POCC Minister of Information JR at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and visit www.blockreportradio.com, hiphopwarreport.com and myspace.com/blockreportfilm.

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