Grand Puba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grand Puba
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Grand Puba performing, 2014.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Brewster Dixon III |
| Also known as | Grand Puba Maxwell Grand P |
| Born | March 4, 1966 New Rochelle, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | |
Maxwell Dixon (born William Brewster Dixon III on March 4, 1966), known as Grand Puba, is an American rapper and music producer. He is famous for being a member of the hip hop group Brand Nubian. He also used to be part of another group called Masters of Ceremony.
Contents
Early Life and Music Start
Grand Puba was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 4, 1966. In the late 1970s, he discovered hip hop music. He bought cassette tapes of his favorite artists like The Cold Crush Brothers and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Puba went to the Remington Boys Club in New Rochelle. There, a DJ named Grand Mixer DXT would send out cassette tapes. Puba learned to rap and write his own rhymes from these tapes. His first cousin, Dr. Who (Tod Dixon), would later form a group with him called Masters of Ceremony. They would practice rapping together, even banging on tables to make beats.
Grand Puba was also a breakdancer. He started making his own beats on cassettes in New Rochelle. As he became more known, he began DJing at clubs. His very first rap group was called the "Tray-Bag MC's".
Music Career Highlights
Grand Puba started his music career in 1985 with the group Masters of Ceremony. He used the name Grand Puba Maxwell then. Their album Dynamite (1988) was praised by music critics. However, the group broke up because the album did not sell many copies.
Joining Brand Nubian
After Masters of Ceremony, Puba became the main rapper for the group Brand Nubian. He signed a deal with Elektra Records. Their first album, One for All (1990), was a big success. It featured different styles, from reggae-influenced hip hop to new jack swing.
Solo Work and Collaborations
After One for All, Grand Puba left Brand Nubian for a while to start his solo career. In 1992, he released his first solo album, Reel to Reel, with DJ Stud Doogie and DJ Alamo.
In 1992, Sean "Puffy" Combs asked Grand Puba to work with a new R&B singer, Mary J. Blige. They collaborated on her first album, "What's the 411". Puba helped write the title song. This song was a big hit, reaching number one on the R&B charts in early 1993. It was the first time Blige used her own rap style in a song.
Puba released his second solo album, 2000, in 1995.
Rejoining Brand Nubian
Around 1997, Grand Puba rejoined Brand Nubian. They recorded songs for movie soundtracks. In 1998, they released a full album called Foundation. Puba said in an interview that he "never did go, I just wanted that experience and it was a good thing."
In 1999, Grand Puba and Sadat X performed on a song called "Once Again" for the album So... How's Your Girl?. After Brand Nubian's 2004 album Fire in the Hole, Grand Puba appeared on songs with other artists. These included Beanie Sigel, Missy Elliott (with Mary J. Blige), and Ugly Duckling.
Later Solo Albums
Grand Puba released his third solo album, Understand This, in 2001.
In 2009, he released his fourth solo album, Retroactive. This album featured music produced by famous artists like Q-Tip, Large Professor, and Kid Capri. Other members of Brand Nubian also helped with the production. Puba also appeared on a song called "Fresh" with many other rappers like Cormega, KRS-One, and Big Daddy Kane.
His fifth album, Black from the Future, was released in 2016.
Personal Life
Grand Puba has a son named Sonny Dixon. Sonny is also a rapper and goes by the name Stunna Gang.
Discography
Studio Albums
Solo Albums
- Reel to Reel (1992)
- 2000 (1995)
- Understand This (2001)
- Retroactive (2009)
- Black from the Future (2016)
- The Brooklyn Premiere (2024) with Grandmaster Melle Mel and Cappadonna.
- The Origin The Retirement Package Volume 1 (2025)
With Masters of Ceremony
- Dynamite (1988)
With Brand Nubian
- One for All (1990)
- Foundation (1998)
- Fire in the Hole (2004)
- Time's Runnin' Out (2007)
- Vamp Bikers with Grandmaster Melle Mel Grand Master Caz and Grand Wizard Theodore Directed by Eric Spade Rivas
See also
In Spanish: Grand Puba para niños
