X-Clan
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X-Clan is an alternative hip hop group from New York City, composed of Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J, Lumumba Professor X The Overseer, Paradise The Architect andThe Rhythm Provider Sugar Shaft. Known for their Afrocentrism and militant activism (they were members of Blackwatch), X-Clan soon gained fame for the controversy their music aroused, though commercial success was sporadic. Their debut was To the East, Blackwards (1990), followed by Xodus (1992) and a temporary break-up. Both albums peaked at #11 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Charts in the United States. Other artists who were affiliated with X-Clan and Blackwatch include Isis, Queen Mother Rage, and YZ. Professor X released a solo album titled "Years of the 9" in 1991 and a second solo album titled "Puss N' Boots: The Struggle Continues" in 1993. Queen Mother Rage released "Vanglorious Law" in 1991. Isis released her debut "Rebel Soul" in 1990. YZ released his debut, "Sons of The Father" (noted for the song titled "Thinking of a Master Plan") in 1989 followed by "The Ghetto's Been Good To Me" (which included his modest hit "Return of The Holy One) in 1993. In 1994 Brother J formed a new group, Dark Sun Riders, that released the full length Seeds of Evolution in 1995. 1995 also included the death of long time group member Sugar Shaft from complications related toAIDS. X-Clan reformed in the late 1990s but did not release any new material. Brother J assembled a new team that he calls X Clan-Millennium Cipher and released a vinyl single for "The One/Blackwards Row" in 2004. A new full length X-Clan CD titled "The Trinity" is scheduled for release in 2005.