After nearly 27 years of incarceration, native Sacramento, CA, underground rap sensation X-Raided was finally freed back in September 2018. In 2022, the legendary Sac-Town emcee inked a recording contract with Tech N9ne’s Strange Music imprint, resulting in last year’s lauded A Prayer In Hell LP. Now also off parole, the rapper born Anarae Brown is back with his latest studio collection, A Sin In Heaven.
Let’s hop right into this single / video, “OLLY OLLY OXEN FREE,” featuring BLEEZO, T-NUTTY & TECH N9NE — How did this particular track even come to fruition?
So I’ve been collaborating with South Sacramento producer L-Finguz for years now. He sends beats to me all the time. He sent over the track that became “OLLY OLLY OXEN FREE,” and I sent it to Bleezo and told him to go ahead and kick off this song because I was still working on different songs for the album and was working my way toward this one. Once Bleezo sent his vocals back, I sent this song to T-Nutty; once I had T-Nutty and Bleezo on there, I’ll let Tech hear it and he went crazy. He called me at one in the morning with the chorus in his head, and we started tweaking on that together. Then we came up with the hook together. Once we had that, I went in and laid my first verse. By then, Tech was running around doing shows; during a break between shows, he went in the studio and got the singer and the kids on the chorus, then laid his verse. We shot the video a couple months later, and the rest is history.
Of course “OLLY OLLY OXEN FREE” comes courtesy of your brand new album, A SIN IN HEAVEN — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
I called my Strange Music debut album A Prayer In Hell to illustrate the slim chances I had of getting out of prison with a life sentence. I named the new album A SIN IN HEAVEN to represent the experiences I had, and the difficult decisions I needed to make once I was free.
How then does A SIN IN HEAVEN either differ and / or compare to previous X-Raided efforts?
I think there is a perceptible maturity and psychological progression that can be seen between this project and everything before it. I also think finally being off of Lifer parole has made a huge difference in the subject matter that I may have stayed away from in the past due to parole conditions that I no longer have to worry about.
As a lyricist, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw inspiration from?
I typically draw from my own life experiences and those close to me, as well as social issues that matter to me and culturally relevant subjects that I think need to be explored. Other times, it’s just about being a dope rapper on a dope beat; it’s just having fun. It just depends on the circumstances.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I represent for people who are striving to overcome obstacles that they’ve encountered in life. I like to make sure they know if I can overcome everything that I’ve faced in order to be here; they can overcome their adversity, too.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would want to do something with Ice Cube, Scarface and Tupac because they’ve had the biggest impact on me as a rapper besides Rakim, who I’ve already been blessed to work with.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
I’d want to do Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, California, or Aftershock (Festival) at Discovery Park, just because it’s my hometown and would be dope to do something that big there.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
I think the music itself is healthy artistically if you know where to look, but in terms of the industry as a whole I think the business needs to find new ways to be profitable because streaming has essentially killed the potential for a financial windfall that would benefit artists directly. So I think the art is alive and well, but the business itself is suffering due to continued technological exploitation of artists.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
I think having music that people can relate to has helped, but building personal relationships with so many of my fans and engaging them as often as possible is the real reason why I’ve been around so long.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I want to be an awesome, present father. Being a dad is the coolest thing ever. I like it a lot.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Walking out of prison was easily the biggest moment of my career. Working with Rakim was a huge highlight for me as well. Having a song with Tech, Joyner Lucas and Conway is big, too. I got one in with Kurupt and C-Mob as well. Performed at Red Rocks. I mean, I’ve had some pretty dope moments.
What’s an average day like for you?
Work, work, work. That’s what I do. It’s either that or I’m chillin’ with my family.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...
I engage them in the comments of my posts, hang out with them in my DMs when I can and I see them at meet and greets as often as possible. I have the best fans ever. I don’t know if anyone else who could have survived 26 years in prison and come home to an excited fanbase. It’s crazy really.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
My favorite part is the creative process. I love making the art. My least favorite part is the business aspect of it all. It can be discouraging dealing with the red tape, but it’s a necessary evil.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Get a lawyer and an accountant asap. You’re gonna need them.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
I see myself stable and successful, chillin’ with my family, reflecting on how far I’ve come in life.
As for the immediate, what's next for X-Raided?
I’m going to keep pushing A Sin In Heaven, and get started on my next project as soon as possible. I’m going right back in the studio. They’re gonna have to kick me out.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
A Sin in Heaven is available now on all platforms!
Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?
Never give up on your dreams. Keep pushing and stay positive.
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