Ian Campbell (artist)
Encyclopedia
Ian Campbell aka ICE MC (born 22 March 1965, Nottingham
, England
) is a hip-house/eurodance
rapper.
, and he grew up in the Hyson Green area of Nottingham. When he was in high school
his initials IC quickly got him a nickname ICE (lately he interpreted it as Ian Campbell Esquire). In 1983, he joined a group of breakdancers and started touring Europe with them.
- singer, composer (as Savage), and producer (as Robyx). Their first single called "Easy", made in a hip-house style, came out in 1989. It became successful all over Europe
, reaching the top 5 in Italy and the top 3 in Germany. The two next singles, "Cinema" and "Scream", and the subsequent debut album, Cinema (released later in 1990), were also successful. In 1992 his second LP, My World, came out but failed to achieve the success of its predecessor.
, was released in 1994 and featured Alexia on vocals. Three of his most successful songs, "Think about the Way
", "It's a Rainy Day
" and "Take Away the Colour
", made the charts
all over the world. Campbell got a new look and new style, known as raggamuffin. The album was also released in the US
, where the two biggest singles saw substantial club play and moderate dance music radio airplay. In 1995, Ice'n'Green - The Remix Album was released. This contained various remix
es of previous hit single
s.
) was released. The hit from the album was "Give Me the Light", but the album itself was not very successful. Later on in 1998, also with Masterboy, he released two promos, "Busy Body" and "Energy".
At the end of 2002, he decided to return to Italy and to contact Zanetti again. Together they started writing some new material and, at the beginning of 2004, they began recording a new album, Cold Skool. Campbell is also a painter, and sells his painting
s via his website.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a hip-house/eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
rapper.
Early life
Campbell's parents were from JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, and he grew up in the Hyson Green area of Nottingham. When he was in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
his initials IC quickly got him a nickname ICE (lately he interpreted it as Ian Campbell Esquire). In 1983, he joined a group of breakdancers and started touring Europe with them.
The first albums
In 1989 in Italy, he met Roberto ZanettiRoberto Zanetti
Roberto Zanetti is an Italian singer, music producer, composer and businessman from Massa, Tuscany. As a singer he is known under the stage name Savage, and as a music producer he uses the alias Robyx....
- singer, composer (as Savage), and producer (as Robyx). Their first single called "Easy", made in a hip-house style, came out in 1989. It became successful all over Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, reaching the top 5 in Italy and the top 3 in Germany. The two next singles, "Cinema" and "Scream", and the subsequent debut album, Cinema (released later in 1990), were also successful. In 1992 his second LP, My World, came out but failed to achieve the success of its predecessor.
The most successful hits
His third album, Ice'n'GreenIce'n'Green
Ice'n'Green is a 1994 album by British hip-house/eurodance ICE MC. It was his third album and was provided three successful singles. It includes two versions for each of two of his greatest hits, "It's a Rainy Day" and "Think about the Way". Later, the album was re-released with remixed versions...
, was released in 1994 and featured Alexia on vocals. Three of his most successful songs, "Think about the Way
Think About the Way
"Think About the Way" is a 1994 song recorded by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his second single from his 1994 album Ice'n'Green on which it appears in four versions, and his tenth single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female vocals were performed by Alexia...
", "It's a Rainy Day
It's a Rainy Day
"It's a Rainy Day" is an eurodance song recorded and released in 1994 by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his third single from his 1994 album Ice'n'Green on which it appears in two versions, and his eleventh single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female...
" and "Take Away the Colour
Take Away the Colour
"Take Away the Colour" is a 1993 song recorded by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his first single from his album Ice'n'Green on which it appears as third track, and his ninth single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female vocals were performed by Alexia...
", made the charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
all over the world. Campbell got a new look and new style, known as raggamuffin. The album was also released in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where the two biggest singles saw substantial club play and moderate dance music radio airplay. In 1995, Ice'n'Green - The Remix Album was released. This contained various remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es of previous hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
s.
Collaboration with Masterboy
In 1996, ICE MC decided to leave Zanetti and Alexia due to some disagreement between them. Shortly after that a new album, Dreadatour, (produced by MasterboyMasterboy
Masterboy is a German eurodance group with notable success in Europe, Asia, Oceania and South America in the mid-1990s. They are one of the most representative group for 90's "high energy" eurodance phenomenon, when this genre crossed over from dance clubs to the pop music arena...
) was released. The hit from the album was "Give Me the Light", but the album itself was not very successful. Later on in 1998, also with Masterboy, he released two promos, "Busy Body" and "Energy".
At the end of 2002, he decided to return to Italy and to contact Zanetti again. Together they started writing some new material and, at the beginning of 2004, they began recording a new album, Cold Skool. Campbell is also a painter, and sells his painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s via his website.
Singles
- 1989 - "Easy"
- 1989 - "Easy (Attack Remix)"
- 1990 - "Scream"
- 1990 - "Scream (The U.S. Remix)"
- 1990 - "Cinema"
- 1990 - "OK Corral!"
- 1990 - "OK Corral! (The Cotton Remixes)"
- 1990 - "The Megamix"
- 1991 - "People"
- 1991 - "People (Remix)"
- 1991 - "Happy Weekend"
- 1991 - "Happy Weekend (Remix)"
- 1992 - "Rainy Days"
- 1993 - "Take Away the ColourTake Away the Colour"Take Away the Colour" is a 1993 song recorded by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his first single from his album Ice'n'Green on which it appears as third track, and his ninth single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female vocals were performed by Alexia...
" - 1993 - "Take Away the Colour (Remixes)"
- 1994 - "Think about the WayThink About the Way"Think About the Way" is a 1994 song recorded by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his second single from his 1994 album Ice'n'Green on which it appears in four versions, and his tenth single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female vocals were performed by Alexia...
" (UK release was named "Think About the Way (Bom Digi Digi Bom...)") - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#42 / and #38 on re-issue in September 1996) - 1994 - "Think about the Way" (Bom Digi Digi Bom remixes)
- 1994 - "It's a Rainy DayIt's a Rainy Day"It's a Rainy Day" is an eurodance song recorded and released in 1994 by British hip-house/eurodance singer ICE MC. It was his third single from his 1994 album Ice'n'Green on which it appears in two versions, and his eleventh single overall. It was written and produced by Robyx, and the female...
" - UK #73 - 1994 - "It's a Rainy Day (Remixes)"
- 1994 - "It's A Rainy Day (The Christmas Remix)"
- 1995 - "Take Away the Colour ('95 Reconstruction)"
- 1995 - "Ice'n' Mix" (Triple set remixes) (Italy Only)
- 1995 - "Megamix" (France only)
- 1995 - "Run Fa Cover" (US only)
- 1996 - "Russian Roulette" (Sweden only)
- 1996 - "Funkin' With You" (France only)
- 1996 - "Give Me the Light"
- 1996 - "Give Me the Light (Remixes)"
- 1996 - "Music for Money"
- 1997 - "Let's Take It Easy"
- 2004 - "It's a Miracle"
- 2004 - "My World"
Albums
- 1990 - Cinema
- 1991 - My World - The Early Songs
- 1994 - Ice'n'GreenIce'n'GreenIce'n'Green is a 1994 album by British hip-house/eurodance ICE MC. It was his third album and was provided three successful singles. It includes two versions for each of two of his greatest hits, "It's a Rainy Day" and "Think about the Way". Later, the album was re-released with remixed versions...
- 1995 - Ice'n'Green - The Remix Album
- 1996 - Greatest Hits and Remixes
- 1996 - Dreadatour
- 2004 - Cold Skool