| SADAT
X: THE UNTRACEABLE
Convicted by illegal weapon possession, Sadat X
is facing a 6 to 7-month sentence to prison, starting
October. While the album’s title leaves no room
for imagination and the time-span was minimal, Sadat
X has still managed to put together one of his strongest
solo efforts to date. From 1989 to 2006, the X Man is
building like never before and not one prison cell that
can stop him…
BLACK OCTOBER: THE FRAME
First off, congrats on the new album, it’s
really dope. Did it come out the way you had it in mind
when you started it?
It came out a little better. I thought it would sound
incomplete because I rushed. But I like that pace. This
is the pace I always want to work at.
In ‘On Tha Come Through’ you rhyme:
‘this album is made in a real tight time frame’.
I suppose that’s not only pointing at what we
talked about in the previous question, but also about
the ‘realness’ and struggle you’ve
been through in the period waiting to go to jail. How
have you experienced this period personally?
Well, it has been a little stressful. But if you look
at history, all great men had to overcome obstacles.
With ‘Black October’ do you feel
like you have managed to write off a lot of your fears
and worries for what’s to come?
I feel I have. I just wanted the public to be aware
of the situation, but I didn’t want to dwell on
it too much. I just want them to remember me for making
good music.
To go back in time a little, and set things
straight: what exactly happened at the end of 2005 in
Harlem with you being convicted?
I was caught with possession of a gun. It wasn’t
waved in the face of teens. It was more of a situation
where some guys snitched on me, knowing I always had
a gun.
But still the press reported on it in a quite
paparazzi-way by writing about it like you’re
the biggest gangsta, waving automatic guns at young
kids. Do you feel like some writers betrayed you by
doing that?
It’s funny because when I was at the scene, I
don’t remember any writers being there. So I don’t
know where they got their information from. If somebody
were to ask me, I’d give them the truth. But low
and behold, if you are a teen or anybody holding down
a grown man’s situation, you get whatever comes
with that.
How has your conviction influenced the way
people look at you, e.g. as a teacher, basketball coach…
Is there going to be a way for you to set your image
straight?
I’m not worried about my image. It is what it
is. These people that are worried about my image don’t
pay my bills. It is what it is. People who know me and
know my music know what it is. At this point in the
game, you know, I’m not worried about that.
‘Black October’ is the ultimate
chance to explain to fans what exactly happened: how
important was it for you to have this album done by
now?
It is important. Being that I am going to be locked
up, I wanted to leave the world some of my music. I’m
not the first person to get locked up, and I won’t
be the last. Six to seven months, that’s a skid
bid. I know dudes with years in the multiples.
Of course ‘Black October’ was an
obvious choice for the album title with you being scheduled
to begin serving your sentence. But, when we were actually
listening to it, we made this little remark: the album
could’ve as well been entitled ‘Experience
and Education part 2’, since this joint depicts
your day to day experiences again, with a lot of anti-glamorizing
aspects that don’t fail to teach the kids. Could
you agree with our remark?
I do agree because this album is a part of a trilogy.
The third album, when I come out, is called ‘The
Healing Process’. So in a sense, this is a continuation.
In a lot of older interviews you always considered
your solo albums to be side-projects, next to your main
group Brand Nubian. Having released two solo albums
in such a short time-span, is it arguable that you still
feel this way?
Brand Nubian is always first and foremost. We will
have another album out soon.
BLACK OCTOBER: THE ALBUM,
THE TRACKS
On ‘Experience and Education’,
and certainly also on ‘Black October’, you
can feel and hear your absolute eager to represent NY
and to put it back on the map. Why do you think you
still feel the need to rep NY to the fullest after almost
20 years in the game? Is it because you think NY doesn’t
get the respect it deserves anymore?
Like I said, I’ve always repped NY. You got a
lot of dudes that strayed away that come back now and
rep NY. I do what I do.
Other Brand Nubian members are featured on
this album, but not on ‘Experience & Education’,
how come?
Basically because ‘Experience and Education’
was an album that was put together with songs that were
already done.
Aight. I’mma hit you with some quotes
from the album…
‘I still love rap, but I don’t love this
game’(on tha come through). When did you loose
the love for the game? What’s changed to make
you fall out of love in the first place?
I still love the game. I just don’t like some
of the practices that go along with the game. I’ve
never kissed ass and I never will.
‘My mind tells me no, but my body tells
me yes’ (my mind), is this something you face
/ struggle with a lot?
I think people take songs too literal. Every song is
not to be taken 100 percent literal. Back in the days,
people made songs for fun. It wasn’t always a
cryptic, mythical meaning that journalists nowadays
are looking for.
‘I'm international but in my own way’,
(X is a machine). What’s exactly thé Sadat
way?
The Sadat way is untraceable. I’m outside the
box. When I was a kid, I used my crayons outside the
lines.
‘Who knows? Maybe I’ll be a changed
dude?’, are you afraid of becoming a different
person through prison?
No, I’m not because I know who I am. I’m
very happy with myself. I’m not a person that
can be manipulated.
‘Should’ve forgot about that bitch
on Myspace’, you go on Myspace often? For what
purposes mostly?
I go on MySpace to politic. But I can see how you can
get jammed on MySpace. It’s not hard.
‘Madrid, I really like Madrid’,
what do you like/don’t like about going to the
Old Continent?
I like Europe. I like the fans. I like the culture,
the foods. I don’t like some of the long drives.
You’re also namedropping ‘Brasil’
quite a bit on the new album, what’s your experience
with that country?
The weather was lovely. The people were lovely. We
were treated well.
BLACK OCTOBER: THE BEATS, THE LABEL
You managed to compose a tremendous producer’s
line-up again. On what basis do you pick your beats
and producers?
Certain producers know my style, i.e., Diamond D, Scotty
Blanco, DJ Spinna; and some come to me with CD’s,
i.e., J-Zone, Marco Polo, not leaving exception to anyone.
On the production tip, this album differs a
lot from your last album, this is more funk and soul,
is the next album gonna have a different production
line-up again?
It’ll be some old favorites and some new twists.
What has the role of Peter Agoston (and his
Female Fun / Riverside Drive imprint) been in the re-up
of your solo career?
He’s been a personal friend and he’s helped
me tremendously. We go down together.
You once stated ‘I don’t really consider
myself underground but then again I’m not commercial
either. I’m right in the middle category’,
don’t you feel like having returned to the underground
by releasing stuff on FemaleFun?
In a way. But I feel there are artists such
as Vast Aire, one of my personal favorites, and others
who have more visibility in the underground world.
CLOSING QUESTIONS
How do you remember the recording sessions
of KMD’s classic cut ‘Nitty Gritty’?
It was a fun time. Everyone was new and green to the
game. It’s hard to believe MF Doom spawned from
that.
How did you end up on Biggie’s ‘Born
Again’ album?
The song I did with Biggie is one of the few that was
done when he was still alive. They changed the beat.
The original beat was done by Lord Finesse.
How different is recording for an album like
Missy Elliot’s and Beanie Sigel’s (who both
have million dollar deals) compared to a recording for
a Vast Aire or Outerspace album?
The budget is different. There’s more money involved
with other artists. I can take a shit with gold toilet
paper.
Since you’re heavily affiliated with
them, have you never felt like joining DITC?
I’m an affiliate member, but the cowboy rides
alone.
What Western movie do you like best?
‘The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly’. Clint
Eastwood, a champion’s champ, a man’s man.
How much does your Five Percenters background
play a role in your everyday life of today?
My teachings through the Nation of Gods and Earths
shape my daily life.
Will the knowledge that people will be pumpin
this album while you’re in jail, ease the struggle
in a certain way?
It will. It keeps me visible in the world.
Shouts?
Shout out to the whole world. Special shout out to
my man Stud Doogie whose mom recently passed. Ms. Cherry
was a fixture in ‘Now Rule’.
Thanks!
©.WuLf 2006
Useful links:
www.myspace.com/sadatx
www.femalefunmusic.com
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