Brand Nubian’s Sadat X and D.I.T.C.’s Diamond D go back a long way. From “Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down” remixes to Wild Cowboys, these two veterans from Uptown make some great music together. In April of this year, they will release a whole LP together, The Sum of A Man, coming on Dymond Mine Records.

The first single is a continuation of the potent knowledge that Dotty X has been kicking since 1990. “The Devil Is Near” places the MC, educator, and coach in the streets, around the protests. As institutions are dividing The People as much as they have in a long time, across lines of race, creed, class, and gender, Sadat wants us to “Wake Up” and stay woke. Meanwhile, Diamond breaks down some sample loops with hard drums, and accented Soul vocals.

Sadat X, R.A. The Rugged Man & Thirstin Howl Are Proud Industry Outcasts (Video)

The guest MC is Jawz Of Life. Diamond (as well as Pete Rock, DJ Scratch, and Easy Mo Bee) also worked on Sadat’s 2016 Tommy Boy Entertainment LP, Agua.