| MCJ and Cool G | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Genres | Hip hop, New Jack Swing |
| Labels | Capitol Records |
| Associated acts | New Beginning |
| Past members | |
| James McQuaid Richard Gray |
|
MCJ and Cool G were a four-time Juno Award–nominated Canadian hip hop duo from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1]
The duo were James McQuaid (MCJ), originally part of the Halifax hip hop group New Beginning, and Richard Gray (Cool G).[2] They relocated to Montreal in 1988 to get in to the music business.[1] In 1989, they signed to Capitol Records in Canada, becoming the first Canadian rap group to be signed to a major label.[1] In 1990, they released their debut album So Listen which featured the singles "So Listen" and "Smooth as Silk" which exemplified their rhythm and blues influenced style.[3][4]
The duo called their style of music "Double R&B" (Rap, Rhythm and Blues) because MCJ was the rapper and Cool G mostly sang the choruses. Their sound was New Jack Swing which was popular at the time.
MCJ and Cool G have been nominated for four Juno Awards. In 1991, they were nominated for Best R&B/Soul Recording with So Listen, Rap Recording of the Year with So Listen, and Single of the Year with "So Listen". In 1994, they were nominated for Best R&B/Soul Recording with Love Me Right.[5]
The African Nova Scotian Music Association awarded them the Music Pioneer Award in 2007.[6]