MCJ and Cool G
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MCJ and Cool G
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| genre = Hip hop, new jack swing
| years_active = {{start date|1986}}–1997
| label = Capitol Records
| associated_acts = New Beginning
| past_members = James McQuaid
Richard Gray a member of JB and the Cosmic Crew in 1983
}}
MCJ and Cool G were a four time Juno Award–nominated Canadian hip hop duo from Halifax, Nova Scotia.{{cite book|last1=Chamberland|first1=Roger|last2=Lacasse|first2=Serge|last3=Roy |first3=Patrick|title=Groove: enquête sur les phénomènes musicaux contemporains : mélanges à la mémoire de Roger Chamberland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VmfFmT68M3wC&pg=PA4|accessdate=4 September 2012|year=2006|publisher=Presses Université Laval|language=French|isbn=9782763783055|page=4}} The duo were James McQuaid (MCJ), originally part of the Halifax hip hop group New Beginning, and Richard Gray (Cool G).{{cite web |url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=4&csid2=779&fid1=1014 |title=Halifax Hip-hop Anticipates the Big Bang |last=Quinlan |first=Thomas |date=2000-05-01 |work=Exclaim! |accessdate=2008-10-08 |archivedate=2012-08-13 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813181245/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=4&csid2=779&fid1=1014 |url-status=dead }} 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 Coolg have a lifetime achievement award from ANSMA and a pioneer award from the ECMAS
Coolg is owner of Pyoor entertainment and host of his own podcast "so listen"
History
MCJ and Cool G grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-nov-17-1990-p-25/?tag=mcj+cool+g&rtserp=tags/?pep=mcj-cool-g&pr=30/ "Halifax inspires Canadian rappers By Ingrid Abramovitch."]. Medicine Hat News, via Newspaper Archives. November 17, 1990 - Page 25 They relocated together to Montreal in 1988 with plans to enter the music business.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/M/MCJ_And_CoolG.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115073107/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/M/MCJ_And_CoolG.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |title=MCJ And CoolG |encyclopedia=Canadian Pop Encyclopedia |publisher=Canoe Inc. |access-date=2008-10-02 }} In 1989, they signed to Capitol Records in Canada, becoming the first Canadian rap group to be signed to a major label.
In 1990, they released their debut album So Listen which featured the singles "So Listen" and "Smooth as Silk" which were typical of their rhythm and blues influenced style.{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rap-emc/ |title=Rap |last=Caudeiron |first=Daniel |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Music in Canada |publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada |accessdate=2008-10-02 |archivedate=2010-12-02 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202093601/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002924 |url-status=live }}{{cite book|last=Mitchell|first=Tony|title=Global Noise: Rap and Hip-hop Outside the USA|publisher=Wesleyan University Press|year=2001|pages=310|isbn=978-0-8195-6502-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=itcAedBA5CIC&dq=%22MCJ+and+Cool+G%22&pg=PA310|accessdate=2008-10-02}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/awards/?from-year=1994&to-year=1994&nomination-category=&wins-only=no&artist=MCJ+%26+Cool+G |title=Awards|work=The JUNO Awards|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810092021/http://junoawards.ca/awards/?from-year=1994&to-year=1994&nomination-category=&wins-only=no&artist=MCJ+%26+Cool+G|url-status=live |archivedate=10 August 2017}}
The African Nova Scotian Music Association awarded them the Music Pioneer Award in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansma.com/gallery-ansmaawards2007.html |title=ANSMA Award Winners 2007 |work=ANSMA web site |publisher=African Nova Scotia Music Association |accessdate=2008-10-08 |archivedate=2008-12-13 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20081213203422/http://www.ansma.com/gallery-ansmaawards2007.html |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfCEVd5eHBQ So Listen music video] at YouTube
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZu74GnRep4 That's L.I.F.E. music video] at YouTube
- {{IMDb name|nm14033740}}
{{Authority control}}
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Category:Black Canadian musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1988
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1997
Category:Musical groups from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Category:New jack swing music groups
Category:Canadian hip-hop groups