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Sadat X (born Derek Murphy) is a highly respected rapper, perhaps best known for his pivotal role in the seminal alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. His stage name is a nod to former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
Sadat X’s story begins in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in Concourse Village alongside DJ Alamo, a childhood friend whose father, like Sadat’s, hailed from Harlem’s Lincoln Projects. Around age 11, Sadat and his family moved to New Rochelle, a move that proved crucial for his career. There, he connected with his future Brand Nubian bandmates, Grand Puba and Lord Jamar. His entry into music was sparked when his father bought him a turntable. Initially performing under the names “DJ D-Rock” and “Kid Paradise,” he quickly developed a love for rapping. According to Lord Jamar, Sadat’s father owned an extensive, genre-spanning record collection, which later became a rich resource for the group’s albums. During his high school years, he also became involved with the Five Percent Nation, following in the footsteps of family and friends.
He exploded onto the scene with Brand Nubian in 1989, debuting the single “Brand Nubian” b/w “Feels So Good.” Their iconic debut album, One For All (1990), featuring tracks like “Wake Up” and “Slow Down,” quickly cemented their place in hip hop history.
After the release of two more influential Brand Nubian albums, In God We Trust (1993) and Everything Is Everything (1994), the group took a hiatus around 1995. This period was a busy one for Sadat, who focused on guest appearances and collaborations, notably with the Diggin’ in the Crates (D.I.T.C.) crew. He even appeared on an early version of Biggie’s “Come On,” a track originally intended for Ready to Die.
In 1996, Sadat contributed to the Red Hot Organization’s benefit compilation America Is Dying Slowly, a project dedicated to AIDS awareness among African American men. That same year, he dropped his highly anticipated first solo album, Wild Cowboys, on Loud Records. The album was a showcase of his connections and skill, boasting production from heavyweights like Pete Rock, Diamond D, and Buckwild.
Brand Nubian reunited in 1997, and by 1998, they released their fourth album, Foundation. Sadat continued to bridge generations of hip hop, collaborating with Common and Talib Kweli on the Hi-Tek-produced track “One-Nine-Nine-Nine” in 1999.
Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Sadat X maintained a consistent solo output. He released his third album, Black October, in 2006, followed by the acclaimed sequel, Wild Cowboys II, in 2010. His commitment to his craft is evident; in 2022, Sadat released his twelfth studio album, Science of Life. Beyond music, he was featured in Mya Baker’s documentary film Afraid of Dark which examined the experiences of Black men in America. In 2022, Sadat released his 12th studio album, Science of Life. He was also featured on the track “Get With It” on Diamond D’s “Diam Piece 3” record.
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