MC Conrad, real name Conrad Thompson, has passed away at the age of 52. Family and friends confirmed the news on social media on April 30th. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed. MC Conrad earned recognition as one of the driving forces of drum ‘n’ bass and a vocal pioneer in the genre. He was known for his unmatched music style, unique vocals, and production skills.
Born in Northampton, Conrad found inspiration in his father’s records during his early years. His father’s collection of ska, rocksteady, bluebeat, and reggae motivated him to integrate the music of his Black Caribbean heritage with hip hop and electro sounds becoming popular in the UK club circuit.
Conrad’s residency at London’s Mars Bar alongside LTJ Bukem and Fabio helped propel the popularity of drum ‘n’ bass, cementing his position as one of the U.K.’s most famous MCs. Conrad has performed on many stages across the world alongside famous artists like Carl Cox, Snoop Dogg, Grandmaster Flash, and Jeff Mills. In 1991, he helped establish one of the leading drum ‘n’ bass record labels, Good Looking Records with Bukem. The label went on to popularize intelligent drum-‘n’-bass sound, featuring notable artists like Photek, Source Direct, and Seba.
In 2020, Conrad founded the first digital-first drum ‘n’ bass label, Resonance, featuring forward-thinking drum ‘n’ bass music. The label has released 13 productions to date, including Conrad’s own productions under the Con*Natural production alias. Drum ‘n’ Bass label Technique Recordings paid tribute to MC Conrad, the “originator and a level-setting master of the craft of lyrical D&B emceeing.”
MC Conrad’s death is a significant loss for the genre he amplified and elevated to greater heights. He will always be a part of the drum ‘n’ bass culture he helped create, leaving behind a legacy that will continue for generations to come
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