MC-VA
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MC-VA
| image = MC-VA at O2 Think Big Tour (2012).jpg
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = MC-VA at O2{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku5F2cV9DfA&gl=US&hl=en |title=O2 Think Big Glasgow - Scheme to a Dream - YouTube |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109183514/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku5F2cV9DfA&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=dead}} Think Big Tour, 2012
| birth_name = Mohammad Akhtar
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1986|10|06}}
| birth_place = Govan, Glasgow, Scotland
| origin =
| death_date =
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| genre = Hip hop, UK Hip Hop, Grime
| occupation = Rapper, singer, entrepreneur
| instrument = Rapping, vocals
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = JABA Entertainment
| associated_acts = Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Sway, Steven Malcolmson
| website = {{URL|mc-va.com}}
}}
Mohammad Akhtar, better known by his stage name MC-VA (sometimes styled mcva) is a Scottish rapper,{{cite web | url = http://glasswerk.co.uk/magazine/review/9786/Vintage+Guru+Stage,+West+End+Festival/concerts/gig/11980/The+Fuse-Surya,+London/ | title = Vintage Guru Stage, West End Festival – Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow | publisher = Glasswerk | access-date = 2 February 2013}} record producer, songwriter and entrepreneur originating from Glasgow, Scotland.
Early life
MC-VA was born in Glasgow into a family that emigrated from Pakistan. He grew up in a council house, living on the estates of Govanhill, Pollokshields, Nitshill, Ibrox and Govan.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
He faced struggles first-hand due to racial differences in Glasgow and on one occasion was left unconscious by an attack by three local gang members. His father was in and out of prison and died when he was fifteen. MC-VA and his siblings were raised by their mother. He attended King's Park Secondary School, graduating in 2002.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
Career
MC-VA began creating music in his early teens. He started out in music production with sequencing software hip-hop eJay. Using samples he would make his earliest forms of music releasing the single "Childhood" and later following up with the album "The World is a Bad Place" which themes included his troubled upbringing, violence in Glasgow also his aspirations for a better quality of life.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
2009 – 2012 The Neds
In 2009, MC-VA partnered with Glasgow rap artist Gav Livz. They met at the same recording studio, Core Studios, in Glasgow city centre. After discussing influences and aspirations The Neds was born. The Neds released "Double 6's" album. They released four singles, Whistle For'a Hottie, In The Air, Swagger and Goodbye. With each release they would film and edit the music videos themselves, which were published on YouTube.{{cite web | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWwf53xF85E | title = The Neds| publisher=YouTube | access-date = 13 February 2013}} The duo established a very specific sound with heavily distinguished Glasgow accents. The release of these four videos led to over 250,000 views on YouTube. This gained recognition within the urban scene and caught the attention of various press putting them in the category of the "Class of 2010" acts to make it.{{Cite web|url=https://ukhiphopscene.tumblr.com/post/62735281855/mc-va-class-of-2010-seen-these-guys-coupla-years|title=UK HIP HOP SCENE|first=Peter|last=Vidani|website=Ukhiphopscene.tumblr.com|access-date=2020-07-03}} They featured alongside Tango in the Attic, Alex Gardner, Unicorn Kid, Pearl & The Puppets, Tommy Reilly and Twin Atlantic.
They were nominated for a Scottish Alternative Music Award (SAMA){{Cite web|url=http://officialsama.squarespace.com/|title=Scottish Alternative Music Awards | SAMA 2020 |website=Officialsama.squarespace.com|access-date=2020-07-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.com/blog/2011-scottish-new-music-awards-nominations |title=2011 Scottish New Music Awards Nominations – Scotland blog | By Scotland Channel |website=Scotland.com |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=27 September 2013}} in the category of best Urban Recording of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.gnirecords.com/post/8515015844/obehi-urban-recording-of-the-year |title=OBEHI nominated alongside some great artists for the Urban Recording of the year with the Bittersweet EP! | |website=www.gnirecords.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002155516/http://www.gnirecords.com/post/8515015844/obehi-urban-recording-of-the-year |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=dead}} The duo supported acts such as Tinchy Stryder,{{cite web|url=http://www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk/event/47133/o2-think-big-tour-tickets/ArtistsDetails |title=O2 Think Big Tour Bio Information |publisher=O2 ABC Glasgow |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=27 September 2013}} Donae’o, Chipmunk, Killa Kela and Sway. They have also performed at various festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe, West End and also headlined King Tut's Summer Nights.{{cite web |url=http://www.glasgowcityofmusic.com/whats_on/3973_dot_j_r_miniature_dinosaurs_gav_livz_mc-va_and_miss_baudelaire |title=Dot J.R., Miniature Dinosaurs, Gav Livz & MC-VA and Miss Baudelaire | Glasgow City of Music |access-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928034920/http://www.glasgowcityofmusic.com/whats_on/3973_dot_j_r_miniature_dinosaurs_gav_livz_mc-va_and_miss_baudelaire |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.list.co.uk/event/201411-miniature-dinosaurs-gav-livz-and-mc-va-miss-baudelaire-and-hector-bizerk/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927132637/http://www.list.co.uk/event/201411-miniature-dinosaurs-gav-livz-and-mc-va-miss-baudelaire-and-hector-bizerk/|archive-date = 27 September 2013|title = Miniature Dinosaurs, Gav Livz & MC-VA, Miss Baudelaire and Hector Bizerk | the List}} Alongside producing music the duo would also venture in merchandising, using their brand logo N.E.D on various t-shirts, hats and other merchandise. This led to a contract with HMV to stock the N.E.D merchandise nationwide. Shortly after this the duo would be challenged with a legal battle involving the N.E.D trademark from an American company who were trading under the same name. Due to complications and differences on how the case would be undertaken the duo would split even though the case was won in the end.
2012–present: MC-VA
MC-VA was picked up after the release of Double 6's by Steven Malcolmson a songwriter signed by BMG Rights Management/Major 3rd Music,{{cite web |url=http://music.bmg.com/uk/?p=699 |title=Archived copy |website=music.bmg.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127032745/http://music.bmg.com/uk/?p=699 |archive-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead}} credits include Lemar,{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Steve+Malcolmson&tab=songaswriterchartstab|title=Steve Malcolmson • Top Songs as Writer • Music VF, US & UK hits charts|website=Musicvf.com|access-date=2020-07-03}} Ellie Goulding and Kylie Minogue,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/7321841-Steven-Malcolmson|title=Steven Malcolmson|website=Discogs.com|access-date=2020-07-03}} as well as writing for X Factor finalists. The two have been working in the studio and this led to him songwriting with music production team Biffco writing alongside the likes of Richard "Biff" Stannard and Ash Howes.
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Sales |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK |
|---|
| scope="row"| Double 6's
|
| — |
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:80%;"| UK |
| scope="row"| "In The Air"
| rowspan="4"| 2010 | — | rowspan="4"| Double 6's |
| scope="row"| "Whistle For'a Hottie"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Swagger"
| — |
| scope="row"| "Goodbye"
| — |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| Year
! Organisation ! Award ! Result |
|---|
| 2011
| Scottish Alternative Music Awards | Urban Recording of the Year{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotland.com/blog/2011-scottish-new-music-awards-nominations/|title=Scotland.com | 2011 Scottish New Music Awards Nominations|website=Scotland.com|access-date=2020-07-03}} | {{nom}} |