Just before he is sent off to send a year in prison, we caught up with Brand Nubian's Sadat X to talk about his new album "Black October," Brand Nubian and his charity work among other things.
JD: How’s it going?
Sadat X: Pretty good man.
JD: So what have you been up to lately?
Sadat X: I just been basically putting this album out man, just trying to get things wrapped.
JD: Right and its being released on October 3rd isn’t it?
Sadat X: Oh yeah, it’s out October 3rd.
JD: So as far as the album, what can we expect?
Sadat X: Well you can expect that same Sadat flavour you know. I got a lot of people helping me out on it, a lot of people really looked out for me, so it should be pretty good.
JD: Is it being released through Riverside Drive Records?
Sadat X: Yeah, well you know that’s just an acronym for well my peoples and all.
JD: So how did you hook up with them after you left Mad Records?
Sadat X: Well my man Peter, he runs the label and he was always a friend of mine and he just looked out for me. He said he had a situation and he brought me into it and it was cool.
JD: So how do you feel the album has turned out?
Sadat X: Well I think it turned out well man; it’s a continual of “Experience & Education,” so I feel it’s good.
JD: Do you think it is among your best work?
Sadat X: Yeah I do, I really think so man. I put a lot of effort into it and I think it really came out pretty good.
JD: You’ve had quite a rough time over the last year; do you think this has helped with the album as far as motivation and inspiration?
Sadat X: Well my pop passed and that was a rough time for me and I got through it, but you know, it’s gon be pretty good.
JD: You’re about to head out on tour along the West Coast aren’t you?
Sadat X: Yeah, I’m just getting ready to out west.
JD: OK, can you tell us a little about that?
Sadat X: Yeah, well we heading out west, it’s me myself and Lord Jamar. We on the Rawkus/Glow In The Dark tour, what ever you want to call it. We leave on Thursday and we going out west like Colorado and places like that.
JD: Nice. With regards to your music career, what made you make the switch to solo artist rather than continuing with Brand Nubian?
Sadat X: Well, I still do Brand Nubian, I’m Brand Nubian first and foremost, I’m Brand Nubian to the fullest. This is just sort of a side endeavour that I went into to put a few more dollars in my pocket.
JD: So can we expect any new Brand Nubian material soon?
Sadat X: Oh definitely, you gon see that. I guess it is going to be on hiatus for a minute until I get out, but it will be done.
JD: So is the relationship still strong with the group?
Sadat X: Oh yeah, definitely, we all brothers, we all down together.
JD: Something that a lot of people don’t know about you is that you do a lot of work in the hood, teaching and coaching under privileged youths. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Sadat X: Oh yeah, well I work with a lot of kids in my neighbourhood. I’m always first and foremost about the kids. That’s like a big think for me, I like the experience of working with the kids and helping them out.
JD: Are you still doing that now?
Sadat X: Yes definitely, I’m still involved with the kids, I always will be.
JD: Do you find it hard though, when you have such a high-profile and demanding music career?
Sadat X: Not really man, I just put time aside for that, it’s a vital thing.
JD: I bet you find it really rewarding?
Sadat X: Yeah man, I feel like I’m making a difference and shaping them.
JD: So back to your music career, how does it feel to be considered an all-time legend?
Sadat X: Well, pretty good. I’m thankful for it man, Hip-Hop has done a lot for me.
JD: Speaking of legends, back in ’99 you were on Biggie’s “Born Again” album. Did you record that track while he was still alive?
Sadat X: Yeah, actually, that was one of the only tracks that was done with Biggie while he was alive.
JD: What was it like working with him?
Sadat X: Well it was cool because he was a unique artist and he brought a lot to the game.
JD: Out of all the people you have collaborated with throughout your career, who would you say was your favourite and why?
Sadat X: Well, Biggie was a favourite because I was a fan of his. Also I did something with Jay-Z before so that was cool.
JD: Was that the track that was meant to be on “The Blueprint 2”?
Sadat X: Yeah.
JD: Do you know why it didn’t make it in the end?
Sadat X: I don’t really know, it was something on their side.
JD: Was it a good track?
Sadat X: Yeah it was cool, I don’t know what happened, but it was their decision.
JD: It would be good to hear that in the future.
Sadat X: Oh yeah, definitely.
JD: So what kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
Sadat X: I tend to listen to a wide array of music. I listen to Hip-Hop, rock, I listen to everything man.
JD: Are you listening to any particular artists?
Sadat X: I’m listening to the Dip-Set, I live in the area where they’re from so I’m feeling them a lot.
JD: How do you feel about the current state of Hip-Hop and do you think it is getting a bit repetitive?
Sadat X: Well, not really, Hip-Hop is Hip-Hop. It’s worldwide now and it’s growing so you gotta grow with it.
JD: And finally, have you got any last words for you fans?
Sadat X: Just pick up the album “Black October.” It’s a good thing, I think you’ll enjoy it, it’s a good buy.
