M-1

Once president of the New York City chapter of the radical black nationalist National People's Democratic Uhuru Movement, M-1 stirred debate within underground rap circles through his role in the politically charged, ostensibly socialist Dead Prez duo, whose critical acclaim had already drawn attention. During a period when he and Stic.man found themselves without label support, both pursued separate solo endeavors. Production work for fellow artists, notably Mississippi rapper David Banner, along with sessions alongside Italian jazz guitarist Fabrizio Sotti—who handled the bulk of jazz diva Cassandra Wilson’s 2003 release Glamoured—prompted M-1 to assemble his own project. That effort surfaced in March 2006 as the Confidential LP, issued in CD/DVD format and featuring guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, and Cassandra Wilson. Although lead single “‘Til We Get There” bypassed major radio outlets, the album still climbed to number 23 on the independent chart and number 52 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.