On this day in 2006, Lumumba Carson, better known as Professor X of X-Clan, passed away at 49 years old due to complications from meningitis.
Born the son of Abubadika Sonny Carson, a prominent Brooklyn-based activist and Black nationalist, Professor X was deeply rooted in political activism. His father’s legacy of community leadership and organizing was immortalized in the 1974 film The Education of Sonny Carson, based on his autobiography.
In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, as political consciousness surged through Hip-Hop, X-Clan emerged as one of the most powerful voices in the movement. While groups like Public Enemy, Native Tongues, and Brand Nubian carried the torch for conscious rap, X-Clan, co-founded by Paradise Gray and guided by Professor X, brought an unmatched blend of Afrocentric ideology, social commentary, and revolutionary spirit.
With Brother J as the lyrical frontman and Professor X as the group’s spiritual and political voice, X-Clan delivered two groundbreaking albums: 1990’s To the East, Blackwards and 1992’s Xodus. Professor X was known for his commanding presence, his iconic African walking staff (“verb stick”), and his signature phrase: “Vanglorious! This is protected by the Red, the Black, and the Green with a key, sissy!”
Beyond X-Clan, he also pursued a solo career, releasing Years of the 9, On the Blackhand Side (1990) and Puss and Boots: The Struggle Continues (1993).
Professor X’s impact on Hip-Hop and Black consciousness remains undeniable. Today, we honor his legacy and his contributions to music, activism, and the ongoing fight for justice. Rest in power, Professor X.