MC Tee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| MC Tee | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Touré Embden | |
| Also known as | MC Tee, Crimemaster Tee, Tee-Ski | |
| Origin | Haiti | |
| Genre(s) | Old school hip hop Electro funk |
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| Instrument(s) | Microphone | |
| Years active | 1984–1988 | |
| Label(s) | Sleeping Bag Capitol |
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| Associated acts |
Mantronix | |
Touré Embden, known by the stage name, MC Tee, was a Haitian-American rapper and co-founder (with DJ Kurtis Mantronik) of influential and innovative 1980's old school hip hop and electro funk group, Mantronix.
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[edit] Early years
MC Tee was born in Haiti, emigrated with his family to the United States, and eventually settled in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York.[1]
[edit] Mantronix rapper
In 1984, Brooklyn native MC Tee met Kurtis Mantronik in Manhattan, where Mantronik was working as the in-store DJ for Downtown Records, and MC Tee was a regular customer.[2][3] The duo soon made a demo, formed the group Mantronix, and eventually signed with Sleeping Bag Records.
Mantronix's debut single, "Fresh is the Word," co-written by MC Tee, was a club hit in 1985, reaching #16 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. "Fresh is the Word" was featured on Mantronix's debut album, Mantronix: The Album, which was released the same year.[4]
Mantronix's second album, Music Madness, was released in 1986. While MC Tee's rapping style on the album continued in the traditional b-boy fashion of the times, Mantronik's club oriented production and mixing in Music Madness tended to attract more dance music and electro funk afficianados than hardcore, old school hip hop fans.[5]
Mantronix signed with Capitol Records in 1987, and released In Full Effect in 1988. In Full Effect marked the last Mantronix album with rapper MC Tee, as Embden left the group to enlist in the United States Air Force.[6]
Mantronix continued for two more albums (1990's This Should Move Ya, and 1991's The Incredible Sound Machine), with Bryce "Luvah" Wilson replacing MC Tee.
[edit] Current whereabouts unknown
While speculation has surfaced on Mantronix and Kurtis Mantronik fansites regarding a reunion of the original Mantronix line-up,[1] nothing definitive has been reported as to MC Tee's current whereabouts.
[edit] References
- ^ Internet Movie Database Touré Embden Biography. imdb.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- ^ When Recorded Hip-hop was in its Infancy, One Man was Responsible for Really Pushing the Sonic Envelope. It's Been Far from Plain Sailing Since, But the Mantronix Legacy will Run Forever. cheebadesign.com (original article printed in Hip Hop Connection Magazine) (2002-07). Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- ^ Chin, Brian (1986). Mantronix Makes Inroads In British Pop - But Black Duo Still Waiting For A U.S. Hit. cheebadesign.com (original article printed in Billboard Magazine). Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- ^ Henderson, Alex. All Music Guide Mantronix: The Album Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- ^ Henderson, Alex. All Music Guide Music Madness Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
- ^ Wynn, Ron. All Music Guide In Full Effect Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
