Lord Jamar
Lord Jamar | |
|---|---|
 Lord Jamar in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Lorenzo Dechalus September 17, 1968 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Origin | New Rochelle, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip-hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Brand Nubian |
Lorenzo Dechalus (born September 17, 1968),[1] known professionally as Lord Jamar, is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, actor and podcaster. He is a founding member of the hip-hop group Brand Nubian, which was formed in 1989. In 1996, he discovered Dead Prez and got them signed to Loud Records.
Early life
[edit]Jamar was born in The Bronx, New York City, but was raised in New Rochelle, New York.[2] Jamar has Afro-Guyanese heritage on his father's side, and he is the eldest of three brothers.[2] He was introduced to hip hop music in the 1970s through a friend who lived in his neighborhood, and he would listen to tapes of The Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and The Sugarhill Gang.[2] DJ Daryll C of Crash Crew used to take Jamar to hip hop shows in New York City.[2] Jamar both sold and used crack cocaine during his teen years, but stopped after people he knew received sealed indictments.[2] He dropped out of high school after failing ninth grade, and worked a few short-term jobs prior to signing a record deal.[2]
Career
[edit]Brand Nubian's debut studio album, One for All, was released in 1990 and is regarded by The Source as one of the all-time greatest hip hop albums.[3]
Brand Nubian's third studio album, Everything Is Everything was released in 1994. In 1996, he discovered Dead Prez and got them signed to Loud Records. As an actor, Jamar is best known for his role of Supreme Allah on the TV series Oz. He has appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Third Watch, and The Sopranos. He has also worked as a producer for artists such as Dead Prez, Buckshot, Shaka Amazulu the 7th and Tom Browne. His group went on to release their fourth album Foundation in 1998, with Grand Puba and DJ Alamo making their return to appear on the album.
He released his debut solo album The 5% Album (an album dedicated to the Nation of Gods and Earths) on June 27, 2006. Like his onscreen character on Oz, Jamar is a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths.[4]
Jamar currently co-hosts a podcast, Yanadameen Godcast, with fellow rapper Rah Digga.
Personal life
[edit]In October 2000, Lord Jamar was arrested for slapping his wife, Dana Whitfield. The police found an unlicensed gun and two bullet proof vests in their home. He was later charged with assault and weapons possession.[5][6]
Views
[edit]Disagreement With Kanye West
[edit]Jamar released a diss track directed at Kanye West on February 4, 2013, titled "Lift Up Your Skirt", and stated that "gay has no place in hip-hop"; the song's homophobic lyrics attracted attention.[7][8]
Disagreement With DJ Vlad
[edit]In a September 2013 interview on VladTV, Jamar declared that white rappers were "guests in hip hop"; he criticized Macklemore's "Same Love" for its pro-LGBT message.[9][10] Eminem responded to Jamar with the track "Fall" from his 2018 album Kamikaze.[11] Jamar responded to Eminem on his podcast.[12]
Disagreement With BLM
[edit]Lord Jamar has publicly stated that he does not support the Black Lives Matter movement. Jamar's primary reason for his opposition is his belief that the movement was not created for the Black community, but rather by "you know, George Soros and his fucking boys." He has articulated this viewpoint in various interviews and discussions, suggesting that the movement's origins or intentions do not align with his understanding of what serves the Black community's interests.[13]
Holocaust Denial
[edit]In a 2020 appearance with Nation of Islam influencer Rizza Islam, Jamar promoted Holocaust denial; he denied the death of six million Jews in the Holocaust, stating that at most 500,000 died, and claiming that six million Jews were not even present in Europe at the time.[14]
Flat Earth
[edit]In October 2024, Lord Jamar publicly expressed his belief in a flat Earth during an appearance on an episode of the In Godfrey We Trust Podcast. His statements were based on what he described as "common sense" observations rather than scientific evidence. He argued that if the Earth were a sphere, pilots would constantly have to tilt their planes' noses down to avoid flying into space, a practice which he stated they do not do.[15]
Lord Jamar's claims led to a public debate with science communicator David Farina, widely known by his YouTube channel name, "Professor Dave Explains." The debate, which took place on another In Godfrey We Trust Podcast episode, featured Farina systematically debunking Jamar's arguments using scientific principles and observational evidence. The exchange garnered significant attention online, with many viewers and commentators noting that Farina's responses directly addressed and refuted Jamar's points.[16]
Politics
[edit]Jamar supported Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.[17]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- The 5% Album (2006)
Guest appearances
[edit]| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Show Business" | 1991 | A Tribe Called Quest, Sadat X, Diamond D | The Low End Theory |
| "Verbal Intercourse (Non-Cross-Over Resistance Version)" | Professor Griff, Killa Ranks, Sadat X, Wise Intelligent | Verbal Intercourse (VLS) | |
| "Where Ya At? (Extended Version)" | 1995 | Mobb Deep, Chuck D, DA Smart, Erule, Merchant, RZA, Killah Priest, Sunz of Man, Brooklyn Zu | One Million Strong |
| "Bluesanova" | 1996 | Dead Prez | Hip Bop |
| "Live Wires Connect" | UGK, Keith Murray | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: The Soundtrack | |
| "Tell Me (6 Karat Hip Hop Mix)" | 1997 | Groove Theory, Sadat X | Check the Vibe |
| "Collaboration of Mics" | Artifacts, Lord Finesse | That's Them | |
| "Street Parables" | Shabazz the Disciple | Street Parables (VLS) | |
| "That Real Live" | 2000 | QNC | Lean To (VLS) |
| "Oz Theme 2000" | 2001 | Kool G Rap, Talib Kweli | Oz: The Soundtrack |
| "Fightin' Clocks Remix" | Ilacoin | Fightin' Clocks Remix (VLS) | |
| "Keep It Movin" | Grand Puba | Understand This | |
| "The Classic Mix Part II" | 2003 | DJ Armsteady, Sadat X | The Enyce Experience |
| "Nitty Gritty (Dog Spelled Backwards Mix)" | KMD, Busta Rhymes, Sadat X | Best of KMD | |
| "Important Shit" | 2005 | Jus Allah, Agallah | All Fates Have Changed |
| "Chosen Few" | 2006 | Sadat X | Black October |
| "U-Riders" | 2007 | U-Fam | The War on Hip Hop |
| "Angel Dust" | 2008 | Hasan Salaam | Children of God |
| "Igod" | Shaka Amazulu the 7th, Darkim Be Allah | The Black Stone of Mecca | |
| "Engage the Enemy Remix" | 2009 | Blak Madeen | Sacred Defense |
| "Deep Space (Jay da Flex & Yoof Remix)" | RZA | Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture, Vol. 2: Enter the Dubstep | |
| "I See Dead People" | Grand Puba, Rell | Retroactive | |
| "Up Against the Wall" | 2010 | Group Home, MC Ace | Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal |
| "Apocalyptic Shit" | 2011 | Lord Superb | Perb Made It Possible |
| "Every Hood's a Harlem" | |||
| "Industry RMX 2" | 2015 | Large Professor, Inspectah Deck, Cormega, Roc Marciano, Sadat X | Re:Living |
| "When the Gods Sing" | 2016 | Sadat X, Dizhwar | Never Left (Deluxe Edition) |
| "I’m a gay black man" | School of the Gifted | WuMinati III: Divine Evil | |
| "Cut and Dry" | Sadat X | Agua | |
| "Street Disciples" | 2017 | Heaven Razah, Block McCloud, Rasul Allah | Zayin: You Only Live Twice |
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Da Hip Hop Witch | Himself | |
| 2002 | Morning Breath | Devon | Short |
| 2004 | L-o-v-e | Melvin | Short |
| 2005 | Funny Valentine | Tim | |
| 2006 | They're Just My Friends | Light | |
| 2007 | Wifey | Jevin 'Huss' Jones | TV movie |
| 2009 | Father's Day | Rammel | Short |
| Buffalo Bushido | Torchy | ||
| 2010 | Drugs 101 | Chucky | Short |
| 2016 | Kill for Me | Skull | |
| 2020 | Drug Affected | Chucky |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Oz | Kevin 'Supreme Allah' Ketchum | Recurring cast: Season 4 |
| 100 Centre Street | — | Episode: "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" | |
| 2002 | Law & Order | Leon Griggs | Episode: "Attorney Client" |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Bad Ass / Javier / Leon | Guest cast: Season 4–5 |
| 2004–05 | Third Watch | Raymond Morris | Recurring cast: Season 6 |
| 2006 | The Sopranos | Da Lux | Episode: "The Fleshy Part of the Thigh" |
| 2007 | Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show | Himself | Episode: Episode #1.3 |
| 2011 | Rescue Me | D'brickshaw | Recurring cast: Season 7 |
| 2012 | Elementary | Raul Ramirez | Episode: "You Do It to Yourself" |
| 2013 | Person of Interest | Grishin | Episode: "Relevance" |
| 2016 | The Night Of | Tino | Recurring cast |
| Money Power Respect | Himself | Episode: "Opening Arguments" and "Till Death Do Us Manage" | |
| 2018 | Unsung | Himself | Episode: "Brand Nubian" and "Digable Planets" |
| Hip-Hop Evolution | Himself | Episode: "Do the Knowledge" | |
| 2020 | For Life | Elijah | Episode: "Character and Fitness" |
| 2020–21 | The Last O.G. | Divine | Guest cast: Season 3–4 |
Documentary
[edit]| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2004 | And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop |
| 2010 | The Furious Force of Rhymes |
| 2012 | Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap |
| 2018 | Black, White & Blue |
| 2021 | The Sixth Borough of Hip-Hop |
| Buck Breaking |
References
[edit]- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780822536673.
- ^ a b c d e f "F.D.S #141 - LORD JAMAR - TALKS EMINEM, BRAND NUBIAN HISTORY, MALCOLM X & MUCH MORE - FULL EPISODE". QuietRoom. January 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ "The Source 100 Best Rap Albums". RockList.net. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ "God, the Black Man and the Five Percenters". NPR. August 4, 2006. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Parrascandola, Rocco (October 22, 2000). "'NUBIAN' RAPPER HIT WIFE: COPS". New York Post. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ "RAPPER IN WIFE-BEATING BUST". New York Daily News. October 22, 2000. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^ Martin, Andrew (February 4, 2013). "Listen: Lord Jamar Disses Kanye West on Homophobic New Song". Complex. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (February 4, 2013). "Lord Jamar Is Mad At Kanye West's Kilt On Diss Track". MTV. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ^ "Lord Jamar Calls White Rappers "Guests," Slanders Hopsin On Twitter [PHOTOS]". Hip-Hop Wired. September 24, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ "Lord Jamar Says White Rappers Are Guests In Hip Hop". HipHopDX. September 23, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ Mylrea, Hannah (September 4, 2018). "Ouch. All the people Eminem disses on surprise album 'Kamikaze'". NME. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ Zidel, Alex (September 10, 2018). "Lord Jamar Responds To Eminem's Diss On "Kamikaze" Track "Fall"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ "RappeLord Jamar Doesn't Support Black Lives Matter: 'It's..." Newsweek. July 2, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Liphshiz, Cnaan (December 3, 2020). "Rapper Lord Jamar says 500,000 Jews at most died in the Holocaust". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ In Godfrey We Trust Podcast (October 7, 2024). Lord Jamar Proves Flat Earth To Godfrey | Offers To Debate Neil deGrasse Tyson. Retrieved November 4, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Muhammad, Iyanna (January 12, 2025). "Lord Jamar Debates Flat Earth w/ a Science Communicator". Media Take Out. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (October 22, 2024). "16 Rappers Who Are Still Supporting Donald Trump". XXL Mag. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
External links
[edit]
- Lord Jamar at AllMusic
- Lord Jamar at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- 1968 births
- African-American male actors
- African-American male rappers
- 21st-century American male rappers
- African-American record producers
- American hip-hop record producers
- American Holocaust deniers
- American people of Guyanese descent
- Rappers from the Bronx
- American male television actors
- Living people
- Five percenters
- Musicians from New Rochelle, New York
- Rappers from New York (state)
- Indie rappers
- 21st-century American rappers
- Record producers from New York (state)
- 21st-century American male musicians
- 21st-century African-American rappers
- 20th-century African-American people
- Brand Nubian members