MCJ and Cool G
MCJ and Cool G | |
---|---|
Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
Genres | Hip hop, new jack swing |
Years active | 1988 | –present
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 into the music business.[3] In 1989, they signed to Capitol Records in Canada, becoming the first Canadian rap group to be signed to a major label.[3] 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.[4][5]
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.[6]
The African Nova Scotian Music Association awarded them the Music Pioneer Award in 2007.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ Chamberland, Roger; Lacasse, Serge; Roy, Patrick (2006). Groove: enquête sur les phénomènes musicaux contemporains : mélanges à la mémoire de Roger Chamberland (in French). Presses Université Laval. p. 4. ISBN 9782763783055. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ↑ Quinlan, Thomas (2000-05-01). "Halifax Hip-hop Anticipates the Big Bang". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- 1 2 "MCJ And CoolG". Canadian Pop Encyclopedia. Canoe Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ↑ Caudeiron, Daniel. "Rap". Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Historica Foundation of Canada. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ↑ Mitchell, Tony (2001). Global Noise: Rap and Hip-hop Outside the USA. Wesleyan University Press. p. 310. ISBN 978-0-8195-6502-0. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ↑ Juno Awards Archive. Juno Awards Artists Summary. Artist Name: MCJ & Cool G. Retrieved on October 2, 2008
- ↑ "ANSMA Award Winners 2007". ANSMA web site. African Nova Scotia Music Association. Archived from the original on 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2008-10-08.