Messiah J and the Expert

Last updated

Messiah J & The Expert
Origin Dublin, Ireland
Genres Hip hop
Indie
Reggae
Funk
Years active2002 – present
LabelsInaudible Recordings
MembersMessiah J
The Expert
Website Official Website

Messiah J & The Expert are a rapper/producer duo based in Dublin, Ireland.

Contents

Career

The Stonecutters and Creative Controle

They originally met at a Scratch Perverts instore in 1999 and became part of a seven-strong collective, The Stonecutters. The Stonecutters consisted of Messiah J, The Expert, Robbie Delaney, DJ Splyce, Relevance, Grammar and DJ Mayhem. They practised and wrote weekly in impromptu surroundings including Harold's Cross Racetrack and Raheny Dart Station. They recorded what is considered to be THE lost Irish Hip-Hop album called 'Please Daddy, Don't!'. Due to infighting the album never saw the light of day but is believed to contain an early version of 'Year of the Genie' which came out on 2008's 'From The Word Go'. Alongside, DJ Mayhem, they formed Creative Controle. A four-track demo soon made its way into the hands of No Disco presenter Leagues O'Toole who released their first two singles ("Bloodrush"/"The Dose" and "Check the Vision") on his label, Volta Records (co-owned by Dave O'Grady).

What's Confusing You? (2003–2006)

In 2002, Messiah J & The Expert opted to continue as a two-piece and shortly after changed their name. Their first release under the name Messiah J & The Expert, the single "First place", was released in September 2003, quickly followed by their debut album, What's Confusing You? . The album included "Bloodrush" and "Check the Vision" which had originally been released by Creative Controle. This incarnation of the band featured DJ Flip and K-Why in their live line-up but by June 2004, the live line-up consisted of Messiah J, The Expert, The Twiddler on bass and G-bone on guitar. They played their last gig of that year in June supporting The Streets in Dublin Castle. They have, over the years, also supported Public Enemy, Gangstarr, De La Soul, Jurassic 5, Wyclef Jean, Buck 65, The Pharcyde, El-P, Jeru The Damaja and others. In 2005, they recorded a session for Steve Lamacq who had heard their demo, Something Outta Nothing, a track that was included on their yet-to-be-finished second album. This also led to plays by other BBC Radio 1 DJs. In March 2006, they released a 12" featuring New York rapper, C-Rayz Walz, entitled When the Bull Gores the Matador on their own label, Inaudible Records.

Now This I Have To Hear (2006–2008)

In October 2006, Messiah J & The Expert released the album, Now This I Have To Hear , which was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in January 2007. The album was preceded that September by the release of "Something Outta Nothing", featuring Leda Egri on vocals. The tracks, "Place Your Bets" and "All The Other Girls" were released as singles. A low-key tour mini-album compiling five new tracks and five previously released b-sides, ...And Another Thing was released in 2007. In October 2007, a download-only single, "Superfamous Supertune" was made available from their official website.

From The Word Go (2008 – Present)

Messiah J & The Expert release their third album, From The Word Go , through Inaudible Recordings in October. Assembled between 2006 and 2008 in their own Labbey Road studio, it features collaborations with singers Leda Egri, Joanne Daly and Ro and Kieran from Delorentos. Messiah J reflects: [1]

"It has loads of strings and horns on it and it's pretty catchy. It's ballsier, riskier, less cluttered, simpler and definitely more eclectic than any of our previous records. The Expert's music is extremely varied. It has bits of indie, reggae, funk, four to the floor dance, psych and 'theme-tune-walk-in-the-ring' hip hop."

The full track-listing is: ‘Year Of The Genie’, ‘Megaphone Man’, ‘Keep The Noise Down’, ‘Turn The Magic On’, ‘Tomorrow Is Too Late’, ‘Jean Is Planning An Escape’, ‘Guess You Had To Be There’, ‘Geography’, ‘Panic Station’, ‘Amnesia Comes Easily’, ‘Looking For A Long Term Thing’ and ‘The Predicament’.

From the Word Go was nominated for Meteor album of the year award of 2008. [2] Lead single, 'Megaphone Man' reached No. 14 in the Icelandic charts.

Awards and nominations

In 2007, they were nominated to the 2006 Choice Music Prize nominated [3]

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
IRL
[4]
2003 What's Confusing You?
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Volta
  • Formats: CD
2006 Now This I Have To Hear
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Inaudible
  • Formats: CD
83
2008 From The Word Go
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Inaudible
  • Formats: CD, Download
66
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Related Research Articles

N.W.A was an American hip hop group formed in Compton, California. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and the group is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential groups in the history of hip hop music.

<i>Straight Outta Compton</i> 1988 studio album by N.W.A

Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American hip hop group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Yella</span> Musical artist

Antoine Carraby, better known by his stage name DJ Yella, is an American DJ, rapper, record producer and film director from Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabolous</span> American rapper (born 1977)

John David Jackson, better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition while still a senior in high school, when he performed live on American music executive DJ Clue's radio show, then on Hot 97. Jackson subsequently signed to DJ Clue's Desert Storm imprint, and later secured a distribution deal with major-label, Elektra. Jackson gained prominence with his first release, Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n ". His second release was 2003's Street Dreams, which was supported by two US top 10 singles, "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayhem (band)</span> Norwegian black metal band

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Langhus in 1984. They were one of the founders of the Norwegian black metal scene and their music has strongly influenced the black metal genre. Mayhem's early career was highly controversial, primarily due to their notorious live performances, the 1991 suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin ("Dead") and the 1993 murder of guitarist Øystein Aarseth ("Euronymous") by former member Varg Vikernes of Burzum.

<i>The Documentary</i> 2005 studio album by The Game

The Documentary is the second studio album by American rapper The Game. It was released on January 18, 2005, by Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, and Interscope Records. In 2001, while the Game was in a hospital recovering from a shooting, he decided to pursue a career in music. He released the mixtape, "Q.B. 2 Compton" under his then record label "Get Low Recordz" in 2002, which was later discovered by Dr. Dre and led to him signing the Game to his label, Aftermath Entertainment. The album includes production from high-profile producers such as Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Scott Storch and Timbaland, among others, and guest appearances from 50 Cent, Eminem, Nate Dogg and Faith Evans, among others. This would be the Game's only album on Aftermath and G-Unit Records, as he left the label later in 2006 after a feud began between him and fellow G-Unit label-mate 50 Cent.

<i>Deathcrush</i> 1987 EP by Mayhem

Deathcrush is the debut EP and overall first commercial release by Norwegian black metal band Mayhem. It was released on 16 August 1987 by Posercorpse Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aslan (band)</span> Irish rock band formed in 1982

Aslan are an Irish rock band from Dublin who formed in 1982. Composed of Christy Dignam, Joe Jewell, Billy McGuinness, and Alan Downey, the band has released six studio albums: Feel No Shame (1988), Goodbye Charlie Moonhead (1994), Here Comes Lucy Jones (1997), Waiting For This Madness To End (2001), For Some Strange Reason (2007) and Nudie Books and Frenchies (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightmares on Wax</span> English DJ

George Evelyn, better known by his stage name Nightmares on Wax or DJ E.A.S.E., is an English DJ and record producer from Leeds. His music has been released by Warp Records. He is based in Ibiza. Nightmares on Wax were originally a group consisting of Evelyn and John Halnon, and then later with Kevin Harper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer who aided gangsta rap's rise via 1990s verses helping set lasting trends. He is one half of the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, along with Daz Dillinger. His first solo album arrived in 1998. After feuding, the duo reunited in 2005.

La Coka Nostra is an American hip hop supergroup currently composed that of Danny Boy, Slaine, DJ Lethal, and Ill Bill. In 2004, it's creation started when Danny Boy brought two young artists, Slaine and Big Left, to meet Dj Lethal his DJ from his former group House of Pain. They decided to make a group, whose name came about, when O'Connor teased other members with that nickname, after they had a night out. They started releasing music on MySpace, and went viral.

This is a summary of the year 2006 in the Irish music industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imelda May</span> Irish singer

Imelda Mary Higham, professionally known as Imelda May, is an Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Known primarily as a singer, she also plays the bodhrán, guitar, bass guitar and tambourine. She is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday.

The Demise are a 4-piece Irish punk rock band from Limerick city, Ireland and are also the founding members of the mangaboy¦records music collective in Limerick city. They have been playing shows and recording music since 2004. For most of the time they have been around they were a 3-piece with just Mike, Fabian and Kieran in the band after Greg left. But then decided to get another guitarist which ended up being James. They have played all over Ireland and also in Germany and have supported bands like Capdown, The Supersuckers and Gang Green.

<i>A Word of Science: The First and Final Chapter</i> 1991 studio album by Nightmares on Wax

A Word of Science is the debut studio album by British electronic producers Nightmares on Wax. Released by Warp Records in September 1991, it is the act's only album as a group before it became a solo vehicle for George Evelyn. Evelyn nonetheless recorded and produced the album alone, incorporating samples and elements from demo tapes he made in the late 1980s. Although Nightmares on Wax debuted with two well-received techno singles in 1989-1990, A Word of Science is eclectic and largely moves the act towards a more mellow style influenced by funk, soul and hip hop, while still incorporating techno and house styles.

<i>Straight Outta Compton: N.W.A 10th Anniversary Tribute</i> 1998 compilation album by various artists

Straight Outta Compton: N.W.A 10th Anniversary Tribute is a tribute album to the American Compton-based hip hop group N.W.A, released through Priority Records in 1998 on the tenth anniversary of the group's debut studio album Straight Outta Compton. It is composed of twelve of the thirteen songs in the order identical to the original, covered by N.W.A. members' affiliates, such as Ice Cube's Westside Connection groupmates WC and Mack 10 along with Hoo-Bangin' Records labelmates Allfrumtha I, Boo Kapone, MC Eiht and The Comrads, Eazy-E's protégés Gangsta Dresta and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Dr. Dre's long time partner Snoop Dogg with Snoop's allies C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker, and Aftermath Ent. signee King Tee, as well as several other fellow rappers, including Ant Banks, Jayo Felony, J Dubb, Mr. Mike, Big Pun, Cuban Link and Fat Joe. Production was mostly handled by Ant Banks, as well as Craig B. of Beats by the Pound, Krayzie Bone, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, with Andrew M. Shack and Marvin Watkins served as executive producers. The album peaked at number 142 on the Billboard 200 and 31 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Music video was shot for the title track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Hard (DJ Khaled song)</span> 2008 single by DJ Khaled featuring Kanye West and T-Pain

"Go Hard" is the second single from DJ Khaled's third studio album, We Global. The hip-hop track features American rappers Kanye West and T-Pain and their trademark auto-tune effect. The song is produced by The Runners and it samples Madonna's 1985 song "Angel". It first charted on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip Hop chart on December 4, 2008, debuting at number 25, where it peaked at number 15, and charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs debuting at number 85 and then rising to number 53. It also debuted at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same week the album We Global was released due to digital downloads, also at number 19 on the Hot Rap Tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Meteor Awards</span>

The 2009 Meteor Music Awards ceremony took place on 17 March 2009 in the RDS, Dublin. It was the ninth edition of Ireland's national music awards. The event was recorded and it aired on RTÉ Two on 18 March 2009. The awards show was hosted by television presenter Amanda Byram.

Giulio D'Agostino, better known by the mononym Julyo, is a VJ and DJ. He has several international awards for his film scoring work and work as intrapreneur for Google LLC, Apple Inc and Salesforce.com. Julyo began his career as a session player, performing for Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui, LL Cool J, Cindy Blackman, Michael Brecker, Wizkid, Mika Nakashima, Aphex Twin, B.B. King, Pete Burns, Fabrizio de Andre, Lucio Dalla, Lou Reed, Paulo Bragança, Shane MacGowan, Goldie, Reeves Gabrels and Steven Stewart. Since 2003, Julyo has recorded and toured in Europe, the USA and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kormac</span> Irish musician, producer, DJ and performer

Kormac is a DJ, producer, and composer from Dublin. In the mid-2000s, Kormac was a turntablist and multi-instrumentalist in the Irish experimental band 8Ball. In 2007, Kormac released his first solo EP, Scratch Marchin'. Kormac has performed with a full ensemble of brass, strings, drums, electronics, bass, and guitar as Kormac’s Big Band. In 2014, Kormac's song "Wake Up" from the album Doorsteps was nominated for the Choice Music Prize of Irish Song of the Year.

References

  1. "Messiah J & The Expert ready new album". Hot Press . 6 August 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  2. "News".
  3. "NIMIC - Northern Irish Music Industry Commission". Archived from the original on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  4. Steffen Hung. "Discography Messiah J & The Expert". irishcharts.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.