Messiah J and the Expert
Encyclopedia
Messiah J & The Expert are a Choice Music Prize
nominated rapper
/producer
duo based in Dublin, Ireland
.
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 practiced 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).
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.
, 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:
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. Lead single, 'Megaphone Man' reached No. 14 in the Icelandic charts.
Choice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
nominated rapper
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”...
/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
duo based in Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
The Stonecutters and Creative Controle
They originally met at a Scratch PervertsScratch Perverts
The Scratch Perverts are a collective of turntablist DJs from London, formed in 1996 by Tony Vegas, Prime Cuts and DJ Renegade.-Biography:The Scratch Perverts originally consisted of 4 members; Tony Vegas, Renegade, First Rate and Mr Thing. The Scratch Perverts later expanded to an 8-member...
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 practiced 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
No Disco
No Disco was RTÉ's flagship music television programme, broadcast on Irish television channel, Network 2, from 1993 - 2003. It was presented by Donal Dineen, Uaneen Fitzsimons and, following the death of Fitzsimons, Lawrence "Leagues" O'Toole...
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 StreetsThe Streets
The Streets were a British rap/garage project from Birmingham, United Kingdom, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner and has included a myriad of other contributors most notably drummer Johnny Drum Machine, vocalist Kevin Mark Trail and the Italian-American beatmaker Leroy.The...
in Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
. They have, over the years, also supported Public Enemy, Gangstarr, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Buck 65
Buck 65
Richard Terfry , who uses the stage name Buck 65, is a Canadian experimental artist, MC and turntablist. Underpinned by an extensive background in abstract hip hop, his more recent music has extensively incorporated blues, country, rock, folk and avant garde influences.Terfry is also a radio host,...
, The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
, El-P, Jeru The Damaja
Jeru the Damaja
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since high school.-Biography:...
and others.
In 2005, they recorded a session for Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
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
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJs. In March 2006, they released a 12" featuring New York rapper, C-Rayz Walz
C-Rayz Walz
Waleed Shabazz, better known by his stage name C-Rayz Walz, is an MC from The Bronx, New York. He is currently a member of the Legendary NY hip hop Syndicate Stronghold. C-Rayz Walz has been a fixture in the New York hip-hop scene for years. He hosts many hip-hop shows and events, has appeared on...
, 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 GoFrom the Word Go
-Personnel:Alien Crime Syndicate*Joe Reineke – vocals, guitar*Jeff Rouse – bass, vocals*Shawn Trudeau – drumsProduction personnel*Gil Norton – production, mixing*Ben Hillier – engineering, mixing...
, 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
Delorentos
Delorentos are a Dublin-based Irish alternative rock band, formed in 2005. They consist of Rónan Yourell , Kieran McGuinness , Níal Conlan and Ross McCormick...
. Messiah J reflects:
“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. Lead single, 'Megaphone Man' reached No. 14 in the Icelandic charts.
Studio Albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRL Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
|||||||||||
| 2003 | What's Confusing You?
|
— | |||||||||
| 2006 | Now This I Have To Hear
|
83 | |||||||||
| 2008 | From The Word Go From the Word Go -Personnel:Alien Crime Syndicate*Joe Reineke – vocals, guitar*Jeff Rouse – bass, vocals*Shawn Trudeau – drumsProduction personnel*Gil Norton – production, mixing*Ben Hillier – engineering, mixing... |
66 | |||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||||||||