MC Tee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

MC Tee
Birth name Touré Embden
Also known as MC Tee, Crimemaster Tee, Tee-Ski
Born 1966
Origin Haiti
Genre(s) Old school hip hop
Electro funk
Instrument(s) Microphone
Years active 1984–1988
Label(s) Sleeping Bag
Capitol/EMI
Associated acts Mantronix

Touré Embden (born 1966), known by the stage name, MC Tee, was an American emcee and co-founder (with DJ Kurtis Mantronik) of influential and innovative 1980s old school hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix.

Contents

[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 emcee

Main article: Mantronix

In 1984, Brooklyn native MC Tee met Kurtis Mantronik at Downtown Records in Manhattan, where MC Tee was a regular customer, and Mantronik worked as the in-store DJ.[2][3] The duo soon made a demo, formed the group Mantronix, and eventually signed with Sleeping Bag Records.

MC Tee co-wrote Mantronix's debut single, "Fresh is the Word," 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 rhyming 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 aficionados than hardcore, old school hip hop fans.[5]

In 1987, Mantronix signed signed with Capitol/EMI after a fierce bidding war that resulted in one of hip-hop’s first 7-figure deals and released In Full Effect the following year (1988). MC Tee abruptly left Mantronix shortly after the release of In Full Effect to enlist in the United States Air Force.[6]

In a 1997 interview with MTV Europe, Kurtis Mantronik commented on the departure of MC Tee from Mantronix:

“ MC Tee left the group because he wanted to further his education. And just I think dealing with the politics of the business, he just wasn't cut out for that. And it kind of got him a little frustrated.[7] ”

Mantronix continued for two more albums following MC Tee's departure, 1990's This Should Move Ya and 1991's The Incredible Sound Machine, with Bryce "Luvah" Wilson replacing MC Tee, before the group finally disbanded in 1991.

[edit] Current whereabouts unknown

While speculation has surfaced on Mantronix and Kurtis Mantronik fan sites regarding a reunion of the original Mantronix line-up,[1] nothing definitive has been reported as to MC Tee's current whereabouts.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Internet Movie Database Touré Embden Biography. imdb.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Henderson, Alex. All Music Guide Mantronix: The Album Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  5. ^ Henderson, Alex. All Music Guide Music Madness Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  6. ^ Wynn, Ron. All Music Guide In Full Effect Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-16.
  7. ^ Kurtis Mantronik Interview with MTV Europe Party Zone, Summer 1997. cheebadesign.com. cheebadesign.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.

[edit] External links

Mantronix
Founding Members
Kurtis Mantronik | MC Tee
Former Members
Kurtis Mantronik (1984-1991) | MC Tee (1984-1988) | Bryce Luvah (1990-1991) | D.J. D (1990) | Jade Trini (1991) 
Albums
Mantronix: The Album (1985)  | Music Madness (1986)  | In Full Effect (1988)  | This Should Move Ya (1990)  | The Incredible Sound Machine (1991) 
Mantronix related artists
Angie Stone | Wondress