MC Conrad#MC Conrad Foundation
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MC Conrad
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Conrad Thompson
| birth_date = April 16, 1972
| birth_place = Northampton, England
| death_date = April 30, 2024
| death_place =
| genre = Drum and bass, Jungle
| occupation = MC, vocalist, music producer
| years_active = 1980sā2024
| label = Good Looking Records, Resonance
| associated_acts = LTJ Bukem, PFM, Makoto, Total Science
}}
Conrad Thompson (16 April 1972 ā 30 April 2024), known professionally as MC Conrad, was a British vocalist, MC, and music producer. His career, spanning over three decades, was marked by a distinctive style that blended elements of jazz, hip hop, and soul with drum and bass.{{Cite web |last=Birchmeier |first=Jason |title=MC Conrad Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}}... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mc-conrad-mn0000810181#biography |access-date=9 November 2024 |website=AllMusic}}
Early life
Conrad Thompson was born in Northampton, England. Thompson was influenced by his early exposure to music from his father's record collection of ska, rocksteady, bluebeat, and reggae. He first gained attention in the local breakdancing scene during the 1980s.{{cite web |title=RIP MC Conrad: A peerless performer who became one with the music |url=https://mixmag.net/feature/rip-mc-conrad-drum-n-bass-obituary-tribute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624120834/https://mixmag.net/feature/rip-mc-conrad-drum-n-bass-obituary-tribute |archive-date=2024-06-24 |access-date=2024-07-01 |publisher=Mixmag}}
Career
Thompson started in the UK hip hop scene but shifted towards rave and drum and bass as the genres began to gain momentum in the early 90s. Thompson partnered and collaborated with LTJ Bukem, which lead to the establishment of Good Looking Records in 1991. Thompson would also launch his own label, Resonance, in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/mc-conrad-pioneering-drum-bass-vocalist-dies-aged-52|title=MC Conrad, pioneering drum & bass vocalist, dies aged 52|work=DJ Mag|date=30 April 2024}}
Personal life
In 2010, Thompson moved to Birmingham, where he became an integral part of the community. He spoke warmly of Birmingham's spirit and diversity. Later in life, he reconnected with his father, a notable figure in the city's Caribbean community.{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/legendary-drum-bass-mc-conrad-23622219|title=Legendary drum and bass MC Conrad talks Birmingham, Jamaica, and the Commonwealth Games|date=14 April 2022 |publisher=Birmingham Mail|access-date=2024-07-01}}
Death and legacy
Thompson died on 30 April 2024, aged 52.{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/rip-mc-conrad-drum-n-bass-obituary-tribute|title=RIP MC Conrad: A peerless performer who became one with the music|work=MixMag|author=Marcus Barnes|date=1 May 2024}}
In honour of Thompson's legacy and commitment to nurturing young talent, the MC Conrad Foundation was established in June 2024. The foundation aims to support young and emerging artists within the challenging landscape of the music industry.{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/mc-conrad-foundation-launched-support-young-musicians-memory-late-db-vocalist|title=MC Conrad Foundation launched to support young musicians in memory of late D&B vocalist|date=21 June 2024 |work=DJ Magazine|access-date=2024-07-03}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- Progression Sessions Vol 1ā7
- Vocalist 01
= Live Albums =
- Progression Sessions: Live
- Progression Sessions: UK Live 2003
See also
References
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