Ultramagnetic MCs
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The Ultramagnetic MCs were a rap group whose members included Kool Keith, Ced Gee, TR Love and Moe Love.
Although hip hop started in the Bronx/NY, very few rappers and DJs from the Bronx have turned into successful artists. One act that has is the Ultramagnetic MCs. The group started around 1984, two years before the usual start date golden age of rap began in 1986. Many believe that without the group's primary producer, Ced-Gee, the sound and samples, mostly James Brown, wouldn't have been as prominent. Their break-out single was "Funky/Mentally Mad". It was released in 1987 and put the foursome on the map. This led to the release of the album, Critical Beatdown.
Although the Ultramagnetic MCs released a new school classic in 1988, Critical Beatdown, with typical James Brown samples -- they disappeared after that for several years, to return on Mercury Records in 1992, with the album Funk Your Head Up. 1993's The Four Horsemen was considered extremely strange though still brilliant. That was the last album the Ultramagnetic MCs released.
There were several bootleg and compilation albums to follow, many with outtakes or older material not released (such as The B-Sides Companion).
The Ultramagnetic MC's launched the career of self-proclaimed "Bronx Nigga" Tim Dog who brought out the very successful single "Fuck Compton". Kool Keith and Tim Dog reunited on the Ultramagnetic MCs semi-reunion album Big Time. Kool Keith went on to record many solo CDs, including one under the "Dr. Octagon" monicker. His abstract rhymes influenced many rappers, including Pharaohe Monch from Organized Konfusion.
Discography
Albums
- 1988 - Critical Beatdown
- 1992 - Funk Your Head Up
- 1993 - The Four Horsemen
- 1994 - The Basement Tapes 1984-1990
- 1996 - New York What Is Funky
- 1996 - Big Time (Ultra)
- 1997 - The B-Sides Companion
- 2001 - Red Alert Goes Berzerk
Singles
- 1985 - I'm Gonna Give You Love
- 1986 - Ego Trippin'
- 1987 - Traveling At The Speed of Thought
- 1987 - Mentally Mad
- 1988 - Watch Me Now
- 1988 - Ease Back
- 1989 - Give The Drummer Some
- 1991 - Make It Happen
- 1992 - Poppa Large
- 1993 - Two Brothers With Checks
- 1993 - Raise It Up
- 1994 - I'm F**kin' Flippin
- 1997 - Watch Your Back