Paul C
Encyclopedia
Paul C. McKasty better known as Paul C, was an East coast hip hop
producer and engineer
in the 1980s. McKasty was of Irish
descent.
of the pop rock
band the Mandolindley Road Show. After the group disbanded, Paul joined the hip hop
group Mikey D & the L.A. Posse. He began working as a producer and engineer for numerous hip-hop acts. Paul C's best-known work is on Ultramagnetic MC's 1988 classic debut album Critical Beatdown
and the non-album singles the group released between 1988 and 1989. He only has one credit as a producer on the album for the track "Give the Drummer Some," but according to group member Ced Gee, Paul C was responsible for the overall sound of the album. Paul preferred to work without contracts, so he often did not receive credit for his production work.
Paul C also worked for many other artists including Grandmaster Caz
, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud, Stezo
, and Rahzel
. He also served as a mentor of Large Professor
in the use of the E-mu SP-1200
. He overheard a recording session of a new local group named Simply Too Positive and offered to produce its entire demo
. Simply Too Positive eventually became Organized Konfusion
and its demo created a major buzz
around the group.
Paul C's status began to grow and he was hired to work for higher-profile artists. He produced tracks for Eric B. & Rakim
's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
. He was planning on producing more songs for the group and also for Queen Latifah
, Biz Markie
, and Large Professor's group Main Source
. However, in 1989, Paul C was shot to death in Rosedale, Queens
, at the age of 24. His murder was featured on America's Most Wanted
leading to the arrest of Derrick "Little Shine" Blair, who was later released due to lack of evidence. The case has yet to be solved.
His protégé Large Professor took over production duties on much of the music Paul was working on before his death. He went on to become a well-known producer and emcee. Large Pro's publishing company is named Paul Sea Productions in honor of his late mentor. Other hip hop producers such as Domingo
, Pete Rock
, and Cut Chemist
cite Paul C as an influence. Kool Keith
, Pharoahe Monch
, and Rahzel
credit Paul C with helping them to grow as artists.
A picture of Paul in appears in the liner notes
of Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and the album is dedicated to his memory (though his name is not listed in the production credits). The liner notes of Main Source's debut album Breaking Atoms
includes the inscription Paul C Lives. On Organized Konfusion's debut single "Fudge Pudge," the duo gives a shout-out that says, "Paul C to the organisms!" Critical Beatdown was re-released in 2004 with the non-album singles that Paul produced as bonus track
s. In 2006, an unreleased album by Mikey D & the L.A. Posse was released under the title Better Late Than Never: In Memory Of Paul C.
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
producer and engineer
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
in the 1980s. McKasty was of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
descent.
Work
McKasty began his musical career as a bassistBassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
of the pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
band the Mandolindley Road Show. After the group disbanded, Paul joined the hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group Mikey D & the L.A. Posse. He began working as a producer and engineer for numerous hip-hop acts. Paul C's best-known work is on Ultramagnetic MC's 1988 classic debut album Critical Beatdown
Critical Beatdown
Critical Beatdown is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs, released October 4, 1988, on Next Plateau Records. Production for the album was handled primarily by the group's rapper and producer Ced-Gee, who employed a E-mu SP-1200 sampler as the album's main instrument...
and the non-album singles the group released between 1988 and 1989. He only has one credit as a producer on the album for the track "Give the Drummer Some," but according to group member Ced Gee, Paul C was responsible for the overall sound of the album. Paul preferred to work without contracts, so he often did not receive credit for his production work.
Paul C also worked for many other artists including Grandmaster Caz
Grandmaster Caz
Curtis Fisher , better known by his stage name Grandmaster Caz or Cassanova Fly is an American "Old Skool" rapper, MC, and DJ...
, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud, Stezo
Stezo
Steve Williams, known by his stage name Stezo, is an American rapper and producer from New Haven, Connecticut. He is the cousin of fellow New Haven rapper Dooley-O. Stezo first appeared on the hip-hop scene as a dancer for the group EPMD. He appeared in the video for EPMD's single "You Gots to...
, and Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
. He also served as a mentor of Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
in the use of the E-mu SP-1200
E-mu SP-1200
E-mu SP-1200 is a classic drum machine and sampler released in August 1987 by E-mu Systems, Inc. as an update of the SP-12, which was originally created for dance music producers...
. He overheard a recording session of a new local group named Simply Too Positive and offered to produce its entire demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
. Simply Too Positive eventually became 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...
and its demo created a major buzz
Word of mouth
Word of mouth, or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication. Storytelling is the oldest form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others of something, whether a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and...
around the group.
Paul C's status began to grow and he was hired to work for higher-profile artists. He produced tracks for Eric B. & Rakim
Eric B. & Rakim
Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre...
's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by groundbreaking hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released in 1990. The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter...
. He was planning on producing more songs for the group and also for Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel 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...
, and Large Professor's group Main Source
Main Source
Main Source was an innovative, acclaimed Toronto and New York-based hip hop group comprising Toronto natives Sir Scratch, K-Cut, and Queens native Large Professor...
. However, in 1989, Paul C was shot to death in Rosedale, Queens
Rosedale, Queens
Rosedale is a suburban neighborhood in Queens. The neighborhood is on the Nassau County, New York - Queens border and is part of Queens Community Board 13.- History :...
, at the age of 24. His murder was featured on America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
leading to the arrest of Derrick "Little Shine" Blair, who was later released due to lack of evidence. The case has yet to be solved.
Legacy
Despite his short career, Paul C left a lasting legacy on hip-hop music.His protégé Large Professor took over production duties on much of the music Paul was working on before his death. He went on to become a well-known producer and emcee. Large Pro's publishing company is named Paul Sea Productions in honor of his late mentor. Other hip hop producers such as Domingo
Domingo (producer)
Domingo Padilla, better known as Domingo, is a producer from New York of Latin origin. He has produced for some of hip hop's most respected and well-known artists.-Albums:*Domingo Presents—Behind the Doors of the 13th Floor compilation...
, Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
, and Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
cite Paul C as an influence. Kool Keith
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is the self-proclaimed inventor of...
, Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
, and Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
credit Paul C with helping them to grow as artists.
A picture of Paul in appears in the liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
of Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and the album is dedicated to his memory (though his name is not listed in the production credits). The liner notes of Main Source's debut album Breaking Atoms
Breaking Atoms
Breaking Atoms is the debut album of American hip hop group Main Source, released July 23, 1991 on Wild Pitch Records. Production for was handled by the group and took place during 1990 to 1991 at Homeboy Studio, Power Play Studios, and Libra Digital in New York City...
includes the inscription Paul C Lives. On Organized Konfusion's debut single "Fudge Pudge," the duo gives a shout-out that says, "Paul C to the organisms!" Critical Beatdown was re-released in 2004 with the non-album singles that Paul produced as bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
s. In 2006, an unreleased album by Mikey D & the L.A. Posse was released under the title Better Late Than Never: In Memory Of Paul C.