MC Serch
Encyclopedia
MC Serch is a Jewish-American hip hop
MC
and former member of 3rd Bass
.
, attending Far Rockaway High School
, and graduated from Music & Art High School
. He is credited with creating the slang
term "the Gas Face."
After recording three albums with 3rd Bass—The Cactus Album
(1989), Cactus Revisited
(1990), and Derelicts of Dialect
(1991)—Serch launched a solo career with Return of the Product
(1992, Def Jam). The album featured two hit singles: "Here It Comes" (which hit #1 on Billboard
's Hot Rap Tracks
chart); and "Back to the Grill" featuring Chubb Rock
, Red Hot Lover Tone and Nas
. Serch was the executive producer
of Nas’ Illmatic
, one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 1990s. He also helped to cultivate the rapper O.C.
after hearing him on the Organized Konfusion
song "Fudge Pudge", helping him secure a record contract with Wild Pitch Records
. In 1995 Serch also mentored the newly formed Non Phixion
.
Since retiring from performing, Serch has run a promotions company (Serchlite Music). He appeared in Spike Lee
's Bamboozled
(2000) as a member of the fictitious hip-hop group Mau Maus (played by other real-life hip-hop performers such as Mos Def
, Charli Baltimore
and Canibus
). His character was a white revolutionary who was supposed to be 1/16th African-American. From 2003 he hosted Serch In The AM on Detroit Urban Radio Station FM 98 WJLB
; he was the first Jewish DJ at that station. MC Serch was dismissed from WJLB in March 2006, reportedly due to a dispute over a Super Bowl weekend party at the club "Motor City Live." Serch also hosted the VH1
reality series Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show, known for his catch phrase: "Woop-WOOP!", which ended in March 2007. A follow-up
show, ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme
, debuted in 2008.
Serch has since returned to the radio airwaves in Detroit on the urban station Hot 102.7.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
MC
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and former member of 3rd Bass
3rd Bass
3rd Bass was an American hip-hop group that rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was notable for being one of the first successful interracial hip-hop groups.-Career:...
.
Biography
Serch grew up in Far Rockaway, QueensFar Rockaway, Queens
Far Rockaway is a neighborhood on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens in the United States. It is the easternmost section of the Rockaways. The neighborhood starts at the Nassau County line and extends west to Beach 32nd Street. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community...
, attending Far Rockaway High School
Far Rockaway High School
Far Rockaway High School, a public high school in the public school system of New York City, was located on Bay 25 Street in Far Rockaway in the borough of Queens, as part of the New York City Department of Education. The school was founded in 1897, with Sanford J. Ellsworth as principal for over...
, and graduated from Music & Art High School
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts is a high school specializing in teaching visual arts and performing arts, located near Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School in the Lincoln Center district of Manhattan, on Amsterdam Avenue...
. He is credited with creating the slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
term "the Gas Face."
After recording three albums with 3rd Bass—The Cactus Album
The Cactus Album (The Cee/Dee)
-Singles:Steppin' To the A.M.# Steppin' To the A.M.# Steppin' To the P.M. The Gas Face# The Gas Face # The Gas Face # Wordz Of Wizdom # Wordz Of Wizdom...
(1989), Cactus Revisited
Cactus Revisited
The Cactus Revisited is a remix album from East Coast hip hop group 3rd Bass. It was released on September 7, 1990, by Def Jam Recordings; one year after 3rd Bass' debut album and one year before its second album. Out of a total seven tracks, it consists of six remixed songs and one unreleased song...
(1990), and Derelicts of Dialect
Derelicts of Dialect
Derelicts of Dialect was Queens-based emcees 3rd Bass' second LP and final studio album, released on Def Jam Recordings...
(1991)—Serch launched a solo career with Return of the Product
Return of the Product
Return Of The Product is the solo debut album of American hip hop rapper MC Serch, released August 25, 1992 on Def Jam Recordings, after Serch had made two full-length albums with the group 3rd Bass. It was for the most part commercially ignored and only reached number 103 on the Billboard 200,...
(1992, Def Jam). The album featured two hit singles: "Here It Comes" (which hit #1 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
's Hot Rap Tracks
Hot Rap Tracks
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
chart); and "Back to the Grill" featuring Chubb Rock
Chubb Rock
Chubb Rock is a New York-based rapper who released several commercially successful hip hop albums in the early 1990s...
, Red Hot Lover Tone and Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
. Serch was the executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
of Nas’ Illmatic
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
, one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the 1990s. He also helped to cultivate the rapper O.C.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
after hearing him on the Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion is an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York. Though not commercially popular, the duo was one of the most respected and acclaimed underground hip hop acts of the 1990s, largely due to the groundbreaking lyrics of Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry.-Recording career:Group...
song "Fudge Pudge", helping him secure a record contract with Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records was a hip hop record label started in the mid 1980s by Stuart Fine and was eventually distributed by EMI and eventually acquired by Jay Faires, who tried to reactivate it as part of his short-lived JCOR Entertainment label...
. In 1995 Serch also mentored the newly formed Non Phixion
Non Phixion
Non Phixion was a New York-based hardcore hip-hop group.-History:In late 1994, MC Serch took his protege Sabac and teamed him up with DJ Eclipse and Ill Bill, thereby creating the group known as Non Phixion. Within six months Goretex, a childhood friend of Ill Bill, had joined the crew after...
.
Since retiring from performing, Serch has run a promotions company (Serchlite Music). He appeared in Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
's Bamboozled
Bamboozled
Bamboozled is a 2000 satirical film written and directed by Spike Lee about a modern televised minstrel show featuring black actors donning blackface makeup and the violent fall-out from the show's success...
(2000) as a member of the fictitious hip-hop group Mau Maus (played by other real-life hip-hop performers such as Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, Charli Baltimore
Charli Baltimore
Tiffany "Charli Baltimore" Lane is an American Grammy Award nominated female rapper. Her stage name is taken from Geena Davis's character in the film The Long Kiss Goodnight.-Musical career:...
and Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
). His character was a white revolutionary who was supposed to be 1/16th African-American. From 2003 he hosted Serch In The AM on Detroit Urban Radio Station FM 98 WJLB
WJLB
WJLB, is a Clear Channel-owned Urban Contemporary radio station in Detroit that broadcasts on 97.9 megahertz frequency. The station is known on-air as FM98 WJLB. This is the station that began the career of Urban radio legend and video jock, Donnie Simpson...
; he was the first Jewish DJ at that station. MC Serch was dismissed from WJLB in March 2006, reportedly due to a dispute over a Super Bowl weekend party at the club "Motor City Live." Serch also hosted the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
reality series Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show, known for his catch phrase: "Woop-WOOP!", which ended in March 2007. A follow-up
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
show, ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme
Ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme
ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme is an American reality television series that airs on the VH1 cable network. It is a follow up to 2007's ego trip's The Rapper Show....
, debuted in 2008.
Serch has since returned to the radio airwaves in Detroit on the urban station Hot 102.7.
with 3rd Bass
- The Cactus Album (1989, Platinum)
- Cactus RevisitedCactus RevisitedThe Cactus Revisited is a remix album from East Coast hip hop group 3rd Bass. It was released on September 7, 1990, by Def Jam Recordings; one year after 3rd Bass' debut album and one year before its second album. Out of a total seven tracks, it consists of six remixed songs and one unreleased song...
(1990) - Derelicts of DialectDerelicts of DialectDerelicts of Dialect was Queens-based emcees 3rd Bass' second LP and final studio album, released on Def Jam Recordings...
(1991, Gold)
Guest appearances
- DJ Tomekk - "Fuck You"
- GravediggazGravediggazGravediggaz is an American hip hop group from New York City, well known for its dark sense of humor and abrasive, menacing soundscapes. The group was formed in 1994 and was effectively a supergroup, bringing together Prince Paul , Frukwan , Too Poetic and RZA...
- "Defective Trip" (w/Biz MarkieBiz MarkieMarcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
) - Kaptain Nemo - The Legend of Kaptain Nemo - Official Mixtape - "For the Love of Hip-Hop" (w/PJ Sumroc)
- Hot Karl - "Let's Talk"
- KrohmeKrohmeKrohme is an American hip hop MC and producer, noted for his work with Kool G Rap, Obie Trice, MF Grimm, Atari Blitzkrieg, Ron Artest, MC Serch, Hell-Razah, Sean Price, Ras Kass, C-Rayz Walz and more...
- "Around Here" - Non PhixionNon PhixionNon Phixion was a New York-based hardcore hip-hop group.-History:In late 1994, MC Serch took his protege Sabac and teamed him up with DJ Eclipse and Ill Bill, thereby creating the group known as Non Phixion. Within six months Goretex, a childhood friend of Ill Bill, had joined the crew after...
- "5 Boros" (w/D.V. Alias Khrist) - Sway & King TechSway & King TechSway & King Tech is an American hip hop group composed of Bay Area rapper Sway and DJ King Tech. Also known as Flynamic Force or Sway & Tech, they are the hosts of the nationally syndicated show, The Wake Up Show...
- "Wake Up Show Anthem" (w/NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Ras KassRas KassJohn Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
, SaafirSaafirReggie Gibson, better known as Saafir is an emcee, producer and actor from Oakland, California. After moving from Fresno, California to Oakland, he lived with Tupac Shakur and became a dancer for Digital Underground...
& others) - "2 Hits & Pass" (w/Afu-RaAfu-RaAaron Phillip better known by his stage names, Afu-Ra & Afu is a New York-based American underground rapper. Afu, born Aaron Phillip, is a devout student of the Martial arts, as well as Chess...
, AgallahAgallahAgallah , born Angel Aguilar, is a Puerto Rican and Filipino-American rapper who was a member of the The Diplomats-affiliated group Purple City and the group Propain campaign. He was formerly known as 8-Off Agallah, but changed the name because it was controversial; 8-Off is a variation of the name...
, Craig GCraig GCraig G is an American rapper. He is known as one of the members of hip hop producer Marley Marl's Cold Chillin' Records group the Juice Crew....
, BuckshotBuckshot (rapper)Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
, and others) - "Blak Is Blak" (As "1/16th Blak" w/Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, CanibusCanibusGermaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
, Charli BaltimoreCharli BaltimoreTiffany "Charli Baltimore" Lane is an American Grammy Award nominated female rapper. Her stage name is taken from Geena Davis's character in the film The Long Kiss Goodnight.-Musical career:...
, Mums, DJ ScratchDJ ScratchDJ Scratch is an American hip hop DJ and producer.-Career:DJ Scratch is the 1988 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ Champion, Grammy nominated, Multi Platinum Producer & The 2010 Master Of The Mix World Champion....
, and Gano GrillsGano GrillsGano Grills is an African American actor from Staten Island, New York. He has been known for being the creator of the logo for the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan which in fact is not true, the creator of the Wu-Tang Clan logo is Allah Mathematics who is Wu-Tang Clan's DJ as well as an in-house producer...
) - Kurious - "Benneton" (w/ MF DOOMMF DoomDaniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
) (2009, Amalgam DigitalAmalgam DigitalAmalgam Digital, Inc. is a new media outfit that was founded in 2006 as a privately owned company and launched AmalgamDigital.com in 2007. Amalgam is a digital media/technology platform that leverages the Internet to revolutionize the way artist & music are discovered, marketed and distributed...
) - Rucka Rucka AliRucka Rucka AliRucka Rucka Ali is an anonymous American rapper, radio personality, singer, comedian, and satirist most noted for his song parodies on YouTube. He has been labelled one of the most successful artists to come out of YouTube, where he has received over 100 million hits...
- "I Can Do Whatever, I'm White"