On this day in Hip-Hop history, we celebrate the 58th birthday of a true pioneer; Brand Nubian founder Maxwell Dixon, better known as Grand Puba. Born in 1966, Puba’s influence on Hip-Hop spans decades, from his early days with Masters of Ceremony to his unforgettable contributions as both a solo artist and the frontman of Brand Nubian.
Puba first stepped onto the scene as part of Masters of Ceremony, releasing their critically acclaimed album Dynamite in 1988. Though the group disbanded due to low sales, this only set the stage for Puba’s next and most influential endeavor—Brand Nubian. In 1990, the group released their groundbreaking debut album One for All, a genre-blending classic that mixed reggae, new jack swing, and pure Hip-Hop lyricism.
Shortly after, Grand Puba embarked on a solo career, dropping Reel to Reel in 1992, which featured the hit single “360 Degrees (What Goes Around)” and climbed to No. 28 on the Billboard 200. His 1995 follow-up album, 2000, delivered another fan-favorite with “I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are),” further cementing his place as a solo star.
Puba eventually reunited with Brand Nubian for their 1998 album Foundation, which became their most successful group effort, peaking at No. 59 on the Billboard 200. The single “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” climbed to No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of the group’s biggest chart successes.
Beyond his own catalog, Grand Puba has left an undeniable mark on Hip-Hop, collaborating with icons like Missy Elliott, Beanie Sigel, and Mary J. Blige, while his signature voice and flow were even sampled on 2Pac’s “Old School.”
Today, we honor Grand Puba’s lasting legacy in the culture. Happy Born Day to a true Hip-Hop architect—wishing you continued success and many more years of greatness!