Kurtis Mantronik

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Kurtis Mantronik
Birth nameGraham Curtis el Khaleel
Born (1965-09-04) September 4, 1965 (age 58)
Spanish Town, Jamaica
OriginNew York City (previously)
London, England (current)
Genres Hip hop, electronica, house, big beat, trip hop, trap [1] [2]
Occupation(s)DJ, producer
Instrument(s) Turntables, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machine, sampler, sequencer, programming
Years active1984–1991
1998–present
Labels Sleeping Bag Records (Mantronix)
Capitol/EMI Records (Mantronix)
Oxygen Music Works
Southern Fried Records
Eye Industries
Street DNA

Kurtis el Khaleel (born Graham Curtis el Khaleel, September 4, 1965), [3] [4] known by the stage name Kurtis Mantronik, is a Jamaican-born hip hop and electronic-music artist, DJ, remixer, and producer. He was the leader, DJ, and keyboardist of the influential 1980s hip hop and electro-funk group Mantronix. He currently lives in South Africa [5] where he has produced and remixed house and techno music tracks by artists such as India, Junior Senior, Kylie Minogue, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, Michael Gray, Victoria Beckham, Liberty X, S Club, and Mim. [6] Mantronik was influential in the development of hip hop music: notably, he laid the foundations for Southern hip hop genres such as Miami bass and trap music, [1] [2] and helped popularize the Amen break. [7]

Contents

Early years and Mantronix era (1984–1991)

Mantronik was born in Jamaica to a Syrian father and a Jamaican mother. [4] He emigrated to Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada with his family at the age of 7, before eventually settling in New York City. [4] It was around this time that his interest in electro music began when he heard "Riot in Lagos" (1980) by Yellow Magic Orchestra's Ryuichi Sakamoto on the radio, inspiring him to experiment with electro music a few years later. [6]

While working as the in-store DJ for Downtown Records in Manhattan, Mantronik met Jamaica-born, Brooklyn-based emcee MC Tee (né Touré Embden) in 1984. [6] The duo soon made a demo, and eventually signed with William Socolov's Sleeping Bag Records.

The Album

Mantronix's debut single, "Fresh Is The Word", was a club hit in 1985, reaching No. 16 on Billboard magazine's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, and was featured on The Album , which was released the same year. Mantronik's efforts on The Album and his impact on early hip-hop and electronic music is perhaps best summed up by music critic Omar Willey's observation in 2000:

Featuring 'Fresh is the Word' and the new tracks 'Bassline' and 'Mega-Mix,' Mantronix defined the new sound of electro-funk. Mantronik used a polyrhythmic style, similar to West African log drumming, but instead of acoustic drums, the rhythm would be carried by the combination of electronic drums, synthesizer, vocoder, [or] synthesized voice over a bass line completely played on the synth. No samples of James Brown here. This was truly electronic music: spare, funky and immensely danceable, an homage and simultaneous extension of old-school hip hop's electronic template that had started with 'Planet Rock' in 1982. The feeling of Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Kraftwerk, and Neu! [were] all combined in Mantronik's music. It was a neat tie between old-school and new jack, and Mantronix had the field to [itself]. [8]

Music Madness

Mantronix's second album, Music Madness , was released in 1986. While MC Tee's rhyming style on the album continued in the traditional b-boy fashion of the times, Mantronik's club-oriented production and mixing in Music Madness tended to attract more electronic dance music and electro-funk aficionados than hardcore hip hop fans. [9]

A&R career with Sleeping Bag Records

From 1984 to 1986, during the same period Mantronix as a group was signed to Sleeping Bag Records, Mantronik was also individually employed by the label in its A&R Department, where he signed hip-hop group EPMD to its first recording contract with sister label Fresh Records. In addition to being an A&R representative for the label, Mantronik also produced recordings for other Sleeping Bag and Fresh Records associated artists and groups, including emcees KRS-One, Just-Ice, and T La Rock; freestyle vocalist Nocera; and R&B singer-songwriter Joyce Sims. During this time he remixed "Vertigo (Do The Demolition)" for Duran Duran, which was released on their 1987 US album Master Mixes .

The origins of trap music's beats have been traced back to the work of Kurtis Mantronik during this era. The earliest song to be identified as an early form of trap music is Mantronik's single "Bass Machine" (1986), featuring rap vocals by T La Rock. Mantronik's backing track for the song featured key trap elements, including Roland TR-808 bass, hi-hats, triplet snares and pitching down. [1] [2] Mantronik's work, particularly "Bass Machine" (1986), was also pivotal to the development of Southern hip hop's Miami bass genre. [2]

In Full Effect

Mantronix signed with Capitol/EMI Records in 1987, and released In Full Effect in 1988, which continued in and expanded on the hip-hop/electro funk/dance music vein of its predecessor, eventually reaching No. 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Mantronix's highest showing for an album. [10] In Full Effect marked the last Mantronix album with emcee MC Tee, who left the group to enlist in the United States Air Force.

Mantronik's 1988 track "King of the Beats" was one of the first songs to sample the Amen break. "King of the Beats" itself became one of the most sampled songs in music history, having been sampled more than 200 times, rivaling that of "Amen, Brother" itself. [7]

This Should Move Ya

Following the departure of MC Tee, emcee Bryce "Luvah" Wilson and Mantronik's cousin DJD joined Mantronix for 1990's This Should Move Ya . Mantronik met Wilson, a fellow Sleeping Bag Records label mate, while doing production for Wilson's aborted solo project. [11]

The album spawned two top-10 hits on the British singles chart, "Got to Have Your Love" at No. 4, and "Take Your Time" (featuring vocalist Wondress) at No. 10. In the United States, the album reached No. 61 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [12] In a 1991 interview, Mantronik commented on the commercial success of "Got to Have Your Love":

When I did "Got to Have Your Love", I did it for a reason: I did it because I wanted to get a song on the radio. [11]

The Incredible Sound Machine

Mantronix's final release, with vocalist Jade Trini replacing D.J. D, was The Incredible Sound Machine in 1991, [13] which favored R&B, new jack swing, and dance music over hip hop. It was considered both a critical and commercial disappointment. [13] The group disbanded shortly after a European tour and promotion related to the release of the album, and Mantronik left the music industry altogether for seven years. [6]

Solo career (1998–present)

Mantronik dropped out of the music industry after the breakup of Mantronix in 1991. According to a July 2002 interview with Hip Hop Connection magazine:

I dropped out of the scene from 1991 to about '98. I stopped making music because I was burned out. I had to deal with some legal issues and it all took its toll on me. I started doing all this stuff when I was 17—I was working for the label (Sleeping Bag Records) day-in, day-out, and I had no time for myself. Sometimes I'd stay in the studio for two or three days and sleep on the studio floor because I didn't want to lose the settings on the console...[B]y the time we'd come out of that place we were green! I began to resent it and eventually started backing off from a lot of stuff. Then new jack started coming in and house started to take over. [6]

I Sing The Body Electro

Mantronik moved from New York to the UK in early 2000s, after releasing his well-received solo album, I Sing the Body Electro (which featured female MC Traylude), in 1998, on New York indie Oxygen Music Works. [14]

Allmusic critic John Bush noted:

I Sing the Body Electro is that rare exception to the rule that influential artists should never attempt a ten-years-later comeback trying the same style their current inheritors have made commercial. Mantronik's production methods are completely up to date (and then some), resulting in an album that perfectly balances old-school sampladelic hip-hop with the breakbeat-energized dance music of the late '90s. [15]

Journey to Utopia

Mantronik was most recently signed to London-based record label Street DNA, a sister label of the StreetSounds label, which released his newest studio album, Journey to Utopia , in late 2014. [16]

The somewhat reclusive Mantronik opened Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud pages in connection with the promotion of the album.

Remixing and production career

Since 1998, Mantronik has produced and remixed tracks for pop, electronic dance music artists and groups such as Kylie Minogue, Junior Senior, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, Victoria Beckham, Michael Gray, Liberty X (which, in 2002, covered Mantronix's "Got to Have Your Love" from Mantronix's 1990 This Should Move Ya album), and Mim (the featured vocalist on Mantronik's 2003 EP release How Did You Know ). [6] He remixed classical composer Steve Reich's Drumming for release on the Reich Remixed album in 1999, and he was enlisted for two remixes of the title track of the Shirley Bassey remix album Diamonds Are Forever in 2000.

In addition to record production, Mantronik produced music for the Dance Dance Revolution and TrickStyle video game series.

Mantronik remains active in pop oriented electronic music, such as house music and big beat.

Discography

Solo albums

Album information
I Sing the Body Electro
  • Released: September 1, 1998
  • Chart positions:
  • RIAA certification: N/A
  • Singles: "Push Yer Hands Up", "Mad", "King of the Beat (v3.0)", "Bass Machine Re-tuned"
Journey to Utopia

Solo EPs/Singles

Album information
TrickStyle EP
How Did You Know

Mantronix albums (1985–1991)

Album information
The Album
  • Released: 1985
  • Chart positions: #47 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
  • RIAA certification: N/A
  • Singles: "Fresh is the Word", "Bassline", "Needle to the Groove", "Ladies"
Music Madness
  • Released: 1986
  • Chart positions: #27 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
  • RIAA certification: N/A
  • Singles: "Who Is It?", "Scream", "We Control the Dice"
In Full Effect
  • Released: 1988
  • Chart positions: #18 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
  • RIAA certification: N/A
  • Singles: "Simple Simon", "Join Me, Please...", "Do You Like...Mantronik?"
This Should Move Ya
The Incredible Sound Machine
  • Released: 1991
  • Chart positions:
  • RIAA certification: N/A
  • Singles: "Step to Me", "If You Could Read My Mind"

Related Research Articles

Miami bass is a subgenre of hip hop music that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The use of drums from the Roland TR-808, sustained kick drum, heavy bass, raised dance tempos, and frequently sexually explicit lyrical content differentiate it from other hip hop subgenres. Music author Richie Unterberger has characterized Miami bass as using rhythms with a "stop-start flavor" and "hissy" cymbals with lyrics that "reflected the language of the streets, particularly Miami's historically black neighborhoods such as Liberty City, Goulds, and Overtown".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantronix</span> American hip hop band

Mantronix was an influential 1980s hip hop and electro funk music group from New York City. The band was formed by DJ Kurtis Mantronik and rapper MC Tee. The group is primarily remembered for its pioneering blend of old school hip hop, electronic, and club music. They underwent several genre and line-up changes during its seven-year existence between 1984 and 1991, and released five albums beginning with their 1985 debut The Album.

Electro is a genre of electronic music and early hip hop directly influenced by the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machines and funk. Records in the genre typically feature heavy electronic sounds, usually without vocals, although if vocals are present they are delivered in a deadpan manner, often through electronic distortion such as vocoding and talkboxing. It palpably deviates from its predecessor boogie by being less vocal-oriented and more focused on electronic beats produced by drum machines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EPMD</span> American hip hop duo from New York

EPMD is an American hip hop duo from Brentwood, New York. The duo's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referring to its members: emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. During an interview on college radio station WHOV in 1987, Parrish Smith stated that the name evolved from the original: "We were originally known as "EEPMD", but chose to go with EPMD because it was easier to say." He also stated that they dropped the two "E's" because N.W.A.'s Eric Wright was already using "Eazy-E" as his stage name. The group has been active for 37 years.

Bryce Wilson is an American record producer/entrepreneur and actor. He was formerly half of late 1990s duo Groove Theory, and former artist on the early 1990s dance music/electro hip-hop band Mantronix.

<i>The Album</i> (Mantronix album) 1985 studio album by Mantronix

The Album is the debut album by the group Mantronix. The group was a New York-based duo composed of MC Tee and Kurtis Mantronik. Following some live performances together, they recorded a demo tape version of the song "Fresh is the Word" which was noticed by Will Socolov of Sleeping Bag Records. The label released the single and signed them to record an album.

<i>Music Madness</i> 1986 studio album by Mantronix

Music Madness is the second album by old school hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix. Music Madness was the final Mantronix album released on the independent Sleeping Bag Records label. The hip hop album features club-oriented production by Kurtis Mantronik and MC Tee's b-boy-based rapping.

<i>In Full Effect</i> 1988 studio album by Mantronix

In Full Effect is the third album by the hip hop-electro funk group Mantronix, released in 1988. It was the first Mantronix album released on Capitol Records. In Full Effect was the highest charting hip-hop album for Mantronix, reaching #18 on the 1988 Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. The album peaked at No. 39 on the UK Albums Chart. In Full Effect was rapper MC Tee's final Mantronix album.

<i>I Sing the Body Electro</i> 1998 studio album by Kurtis Mantronik

I Sing the Body Electro is the debut solo album of former Mantronix member Kurtis Mantronik. The album was released in 1998 on the Oxygen Music Works label and featured female MC Traylude on lead vocals.

<i>This Should Move Ya</i> 1990 studio album by Mantronix

This Should Move Ya is the fourth album by the American hip hop/electro funk group Mantronix, released in 1990. It was the second Mantronix album released on Capitol Records. This Should Move Ya featured new members Bryce "Luvah" Wilson and Kurtis Mantronik’s cousin D.J. D, who joined founding member Mantronik following the departure of rapper MC Tee.

<i>The Incredible Sound Machine</i> 1991 studio album by Mantronix

The Incredible Sound Machine is the fifth and final album by old school hip hop/electro funk group Mantronix, and the third Mantronix album released on Capitol Records. The Incredible Sound Machine featured new member, vocalist Jade Trini, who replaced D.J. D. Trini joined rapper Bryce "Luvah" Wilson, and founding member, DJ Kurtis Mantronik.

Touré Embden, known by the stage name MC Tee, is a Jamaican American emcee and co-founder of the 1980s old school hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping Bag Records</span> American record label

Sleeping Bag Records was a New York City-based independent record label founded by musician Arthur Russell and entrepreneur Will Socolov. It was active between 1981 and 1992, and specialized in dance music and hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fresh Records (US)</span> American record label

Fresh Records was a New York City-based independent record label that operated from 1985 to 1992. The label was a subsidiary of Sleeping Bag Records that sold hip hop music. The label's roster included EPMD, Nice & Smooth, Just-Ice and T La Rock; house-music pioneer Todd Terry; and electro artists Hanson & Davis and Chocolette.

Nocera, also known as Lulu Nocera, is a Sicilian-American club DJ and a trip hop, pop and freestyle singer. She is probably best known for her 1986 freestyle hits "Summertime Summertime" and "Let's Go".

<i>The Best of Mantronix 1985–1999</i> 1999 greatest hits album by Mantronix

The Best of Mantronix 1985–1999 is a compact disc compilation album by hip hop/electro-funk group, Mantronix. The album was released by Virgin Records on March 15, 1999.

<i>Thats My Beat</i> 2002 compilation album by Mantronix

That's My Beat is a compilation album by hip hop–electro funk musician Kurtis Mantronik and features tracks selected by Mantronik and cited as influences to his work with his hip hop/electro funk group Mantronix. The album was released on the Soul Jazz Records label in 2002.

<i>Remixed & Rare</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Mantronix

Remixed & Rare is a compact disc compilation album by old school hip hop/electo funk group Mantronix. The album was released by EMI Gold on May 25, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got to Have Your Love</span> 1989 single by Mantronix

"Got to Have Your Love" is a song by American hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix, featuring vocals from American recording artist Wondress. It was released by Capitol Records in December 1989 as the lead single from Mantronix's fourth studio album, This Should Move Ya (1990). The song is written by band members Bryce Wilson and Kurtis Mantronik along with Johnny D. Rodriguez, and produced by Mantronix. It reached number four in the UK, number seven in Finland and number eight in Ireland. It is recognized as the group's signature song.

<i>The Best of Mantronix (1986–1988)</i> 1990 greatest hits album by Mantronix

The Best of Mantronix (1986–1988) is a compact disc and vinyl record compilation album by hip hop/electo funk group Mantronix. The album was released on the Ten record label in 1990.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Birth of Mantronix". Red Bull Music Academy . July 30, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Check It Deeply: Did Kurtis Mantronik Pioneer The Trap Beat?". LargeUp. September 6, 2013.
  3. ↑ Chairman Mao. "The Birth Of Mantronix". Red Bull Music Academy . Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Mohamedou, Kemal. "Music With Balls!". cheebadesign.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
  5. ↑ "Kurtis Mantronik: Bathtub Beats" . Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "When Recorded hip-hop was in its infancy, one man was responsible for really pushing the sonic envelope. It's been far from plain sailing since, but the Mantronix legacy will run forever". cheebadesign.com (original article printed in Hip Hop Connection magazine). July 2002. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2006.
  7. 1 2 "King of the Beats: 5 Songs sample Mantronix hit". MN2S. May 25, 2016.
  8. ↑ Willey, Omar. "Do You Like...Mantronix?". cheebadesign.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  9. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Allmusic Music Madness Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  10. ↑ Wynn, Ron. "Allmusic In Full Effect Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  11. 1 2 Jones, Phillip. "Messin' With Mantronix". cheebadesign.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  12. ↑ Wynn, Ron. "Allmusic This Should Move Ya Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  13. 1 2 Henderson, Alex. "Allmusic The Incredible Sound Machine Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  14. ↑ Bush, John. "Allmusic I Sing the Body Electro Review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2006.
  15. ↑ Bush, John. "Allmusic I Sing the Body Electro Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  16. ↑ streetsounds.co. "Journey to Utopia—Kurtis Mantronik". Street Sounds. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
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