MC Duke

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

MC Duke (later just Duke) was a British rapper from the East End of London, who recorded with DJ Leader 1. He was one of the pioneers of the early British hardcore sound and later went on to record as IC3.

[edit] Biography

Duke began his career at a DMC World Championships after show party, where the winner of the MC battle competition got on stage and boasted that he would beat any rapper who challenged him. Duke climbed on stage to take the challenge, and emerged victorious. The battle was witnessed by Derek Bowland, who was acting as an A&R man for Music of Life records. He quickly arranged a meeting between Duke and Simon Harris, the head of the label, where instead of bringing a demon tape, Duke rapped live in Harris' office. Harris agreed to sign him.

He debuted with the track "Jus-Dis" on the seminal compilation album Hard as Hell (Music of Life, 1987) - an album which also included Overlord X's first track before he was later signed by Mango Records: in later years, Duke and X would develop a grudge that led to both recording records to belittle the other. In 1988 He was support to Salt "n" Pepa on a Uk tour. A series of singles followed, with Duke finally pairing with long time partner DJ Leader 1 (sometimes DJ Leader One) on the single Throw Your Hands in the Air (Music of Life, 1989) and adding his name to the sleeve. Leader 1 had previously released the single Silver Suckers (Beast Records, 1987) with MC Clay Luv in the US but stayed with Duke right up to their reincarnation as IC3 for the EP Excalibur (Shut Up and Dance, 1992) and Untitled (Shut Up and Dance, 1992).

1989 brought Duke and Leader 1's first album - Organised Rhyme (Music of Life, 1989), & & was heavily featured on Music of life's 1989 Hustlers Covention album considered by many to be rap musics first ever "live" album. Later lampooned by Overlord X for having Duke on the cover "looking like a farmer" - and arguably their most famous single, I'm Riffin' (English Rasta) (Music of Life, 1989). The single was very popular amongst hip hop fans, and received radio airplay and often crops up on hip hop compilation albums to this day.

More singles followed, as well as the follow-up album Return of the Dread-I (Music of Life, 1991), but Duke was no longer happy with his record company, and shortly afterwards he parted company with Music of Life. Following this, he guested on other artist's tracks - such as Phat Skillz' Dress Like Your Enemy/Phat Skillz (Effect, 1992) before moving to the Shut Up and Dance record label for the IC3 project.

An album for Shut Up and Dance never materialised, but Duke continued to guest on other artist's tunes, such as Lisa Pin-Up, DJ Elvira & DJ Modelle's "Another Jam" (Rock Hard Recordings, 2000). Following this, Duke disappeared from the limelight, although his track "I'm Riffin' (English Rasta)" was sampled for C90's dance hit "Miracle Maker (I'm Riffin)" (Twenty-Three Seven Recordings, 2001). Rumours persist that he is writing tracks for a forthcoming return to the scene.