Overlord X

Born around 1968 in Hackney, London, England, the British rapper known as Overlord X first surfaced on the Music Of Life compilation Hard As Hell. Two strong Island Records albums later established his reputation, especially across Europe. X Versus The World achieved platinum status in France, where it ranked as the leading hardcore hip-hop release. Although its sound did not immediately register as hardcore, the lyrics maintained an uncompromising precision. Public Enemy and Chuck D. left a clear imprint, audible on tracks such as “Prologue 1990,” which incorporated a sample from the former’s “Bring The Noise.” Overlord X rejected N.W.A.’s ghetto-romanticism outright, declaring in “You Can’t Do It In London”: “Trying to say we’re niggers, who the fuck are you? Coming from this brother with an attitude.” An alliance with ragga artists Midrange and Kandy on X Versus The World underscored his range; he also produced their work under the X-Posse banner and launched projects for his own film and a documentary focused on Hackney. His most enduring mark, however, came through television. BBC producer Terry Jarvis helmed the “14 Days In May” video, prompting Janet Street Porter to enlist him for continuity links on Def II. He served as producer on the program for eighteen months and later supplied the theme and score for the sitcom The Real McCoy. A 1992 deal with Jarvis proved less fruitful: his Down To Jam label, backed by Motown Records, folded quickly for financial reasons. By 1994 he had abandoned the Overlord X moniker and resurfaced as a member of Benz.