To the East, Blackwards
To The East, Blackwards was the debut album from hip hop group X-Clan.
The lyrics heavily promote Afrocentrism, railing against racism and socioeconomic oppression of African-Americans.[1] Brother J serves as the main MC, while Professor X punctuates verses with powerful declarations and recitations of the names of figures like Marcus Garvey and Nat Turner. All songs were written by Brother J, except for "Earth Bound," for which Professor X receives co-writer credit.
Singles
"Raise the Flag," "Funkin' Lesson," and "Grand Verbalizer, What Time Is It?" were released as singles.
Reception
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Ever.[2]
| Professional ratings |
| Review scores |
| Source |
Rating |
| Allmusic |
[3] |
Track listing
| # |
Title |
Songwriters |
Producer(s) |
Performer (s) |
| 1 |
"Funkin' Lesson" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 2 |
"Grand Verbalizer, What Time is It?" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J |
| 3 |
"Tribal Jam" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 4 |
"A Day of Outrage, Operation Snatchback" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 5 |
"Verbal Milk" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 6 |
"Earth-Bound" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 7 |
"Shaft's Big Score" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
|
| 8 |
"Raise the Flag" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 9 |
"Heed the Word of the Brother" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 10 |
"Verbs of Power" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
| 11 |
"In the Ways of the Scales" |
J. Hunter, L. Carson, A. Hardin, C. Grey |
X-Clan |
Brother J, Professor X |
Album chart positions
| Year |
Album |
Chart positions |
| Billboard 200 |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums |
| 1990 |
To The East, Blackwards |
#97 |
#11 |
Singles
| Year |
Song |
Hot Rap Singles |
| 1990 |
"Raise The Flag" |
12 |
Personnel
- Brother J, Professor X The Overseer - vocals
- Sugar Shaft, Paradise - DJs
- Jason Hunter, Lumumba Carson, Claude Gray, Anthony Hardin - production
- Mitchell Hartman - artwork
- George duBose - photography
- Kevin A. McDonagh - design
References