MC Shadow

Kory Neely, better known as MC Shadow and ACTIVE with Canadian pioneer rap group Get Loose Crew and JUST Me, is a Canadian rapper, producer, author and a Canadian Hip Hop pioneer. MC Shadow, as a white rapper was not only unique to the genre itself but achieved notoriety by becoming the first to be recorded on vinyl in Canada, second only internationally to established American band Beastie Boys. After signing with Electric Distribution - (ZGARKA-KAYE Distribution Ltd.), as front man for The Get Loose Crew he accomplished becoming part of the first Canadian rap group to produce a mini LP and the first Canadian rap record (and Canadian Rapper) to achieve sales internationally.

After the group separated in 1990 Shadow, as "JUST Me", had a brief solo career and worked with R & B singer Kaye Sergeant.

History

Early Years: 1984 to 1987

In early 1984, the Def Force Sound Crew, consisting of band members, Chris Jackson (Dj JEL), Len Grant-Stuart (Mix-Master Len), and Kory Neely (originally named "White Shadow"), was formed and played (DJ'd) at their local junior High School - Valley Park Junior High and community center dances in Flemingdon Park, Toronto. After having overwhelmed local artist MC Rumble during an impromptu freestyle rap battle at an underground party signified and marked the moment of his pursuit of a recording project that would leave his mark in Hip Hop music history in both Canada and in the world.

Get Loose Crew: 1987

In 1987 changing his name to "MC Shadow", the group also changed their name to the "Get Loose Crew" and began self producing several demo tapes played on Ryerson University (then Ryerson College) Radio Station CKLN 88.1 - Fantastic Voyage Program, hosted by Ron Nelson. With no Canadian Record labels interested in the prospect of signing local talent the decision was made to form their own independent label East Park Productions and with that Kory Neely secured a global distribution agreement with 'Electric Distribution' in Markham, Ontario.

Get Loose Crew - The Album 1988

In 1988 he became part of the first Canadian rap group to have recorded an album. This record, first of its kind was in album format with photographs though being considered a mini-LP or EP having 4 individual tracks and accompanying instrumentals. The single "Get Loose Crew" enjoyed success on the local urban music record chart in May 1988 at 5th spot with “Wannabe” up against (now industry icons) Kool Moe Dee - Wild Wild West #1, Eric B & Rakim - Move the crowd #2, Boogie Down Productions - My Philosophy #3, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five - Magic Carpet Ride #6, ICE-T & Big Daddy Kane -Colors Soundtrack #7.

In June 1988 featured in STREETSOUND magazine a national publication, MC Shadow commented on being pioneers in a genre of music in its infancy and the relevance of the artists performance.

“When people come to a show, they’re critical. They come to see a performance. It’s got to be rockin’. From beginning to end. It has to be an organized performance, unlike four years ago, when everybody would just jam. No fighting, no chain snatching, no B-Boy destruction”.

JUST Me: going solo 1991

In 1991 after teaming up with unknown R&B soloist Kaye Sergant he became the first Canadian rapper to be included in a multi-track CD compilation Mega Dance Volume 1 (1991), with "What I’m Sayin" (featuring Kaye Sergant). The original recording having received the FACTOR new talent demo award in May 1991.

JUST Me: 1994

In 1994 a second multi-track CD compilation America’s Most Wanted - Freestyle 94 (1994), contained "Do a little dance" (featuring Kaye Sergant) was released. The duo completed several unreleased projects and after a short tour with ‘Self-Defence’, former Get Loose members DJ Jel & (co-producer S Blank) hosted by Much Music - Electric Circus & 'Master T' they decided to pursue other professional interests.

Discography

Album information

{| class="wikitable"

|- ! Get Loose Crew ! Mega Dance Volume 1 - CD Compilation ! America’s Most Wanted - Freestyle 94 - CD Compilation |- | Released: 1988 | Released: 1991 | Released: 1994 |- | Label: East Park Productions (Independent) Singles: Get Loose Crew, Rap Vigilante | Label: Mirgin/U.K.A Records Canada Singles: What I’m sayin] | Label: Mirgin/U.K.A Records Canada Singles: Do a little dance |}

See also

SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors, AND Music Publishers of Canada)

Get Loose Crew- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

White rapper- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Canadian hip hop- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia