The Mean Machine (Rap group)
Encyclopedia
The Mean Machine was a rap group composed of Puerto Ricans
who rapped in both English
and Spanish
. They are known for the single Disco Dream
, released as a 12" 33 RPM single in 1981 on the Sugar Hill Records
label. In 1986, They recorded a single called "At The Party" on the Honey Hush label. The group is often cited as the first bilingual rap group, and is possibly the first ever Latino rap group.
"The Mean Machine went through a few members in the late 70s, before settling to the final four members at the end of 1979. About a year and a half later, they were knocking on the doors of Sugar Hill Records
and auditioning for Sylvia Robinson
and her crew. They rapped in both English and in Spanish making them one of the first bilingual rap groups around. Sylvia loved the idea of making a bilingual rap record and released their first single "Disco Dream
" in the summer of 1981. Some of D.J.Julio's lyrics used on the track were actually borrowed from Son of Sam of the Harlem World Crew with his permission. Hispanics all over the country went crazy over the group when they heard Spanish rap for the first time. This of course lead to the opening of doors to Latin America. The group was shelved by Sugar Hill following a radio interview they did with Frankie Crocker
at New York’s WBLS
. One of the members said something about the label that didn’t sit well. Later the group went on to record some songs under the Honey Hush Label. Jimmy Mac Died and so did Cool Cliff may they rest in peace. We also had another person join the group after the recording of Disco Dream who went by the name of Butch Kid. D.J. Julio is now living in florida, And Mr.Schick is living in South Carolina. Butch Kid lives in Brooklyn N.Y.
Cool Cliff (Clifford Santiago) was the first child rapper and paved the way for others. RIP Little brother.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
who rapped in both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. They are known for the single Disco Dream
Disco Dream
Disco Dream was a single released in 1981 by early rap group The Mean Machine through Sugar Hill Records. It is the only single the group recorded on that label, released on a 12" 33 RPM vinyl single...
, released as a 12" 33 RPM single in 1981 on the Sugar Hill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
label. In 1986, They recorded a single called "At The Party" on the Honey Hush label. The group is often cited as the first bilingual rap group, and is possibly the first ever Latino rap group.
History
The best description of the group is one written (at least partially) by a former group member."The Mean Machine went through a few members in the late 70s, before settling to the final four members at the end of 1979. About a year and a half later, they were knocking on the doors of Sugar Hill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
and auditioning for Sylvia Robinson
Sylvia Robinson
Sylvia Robinson was an American singer, musician, record producer, and record label executive, most notably known for her work as founder/CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records. She is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the genre...
and her crew. They rapped in both English and in Spanish making them one of the first bilingual rap groups around. Sylvia loved the idea of making a bilingual rap record and released their first single "Disco Dream
Disco Dream
Disco Dream was a single released in 1981 by early rap group The Mean Machine through Sugar Hill Records. It is the only single the group recorded on that label, released on a 12" 33 RPM vinyl single...
" in the summer of 1981. Some of D.J.Julio's lyrics used on the track were actually borrowed from Son of Sam of the Harlem World Crew with his permission. Hispanics all over the country went crazy over the group when they heard Spanish rap for the first time. This of course lead to the opening of doors to Latin America. The group was shelved by Sugar Hill following a radio interview they did with Frankie Crocker
Frankie Crocker
Frankie "Hollywood" Crocker was a famous New York radio DJ...
at New York’s WBLS
WBLS
WBLS is an urban adult contemporary FM radio station in New York City, operating on 107.5 MHz. WBLS is owned by Inner City Broadcasting Corporation along with sister station WLIB...
. One of the members said something about the label that didn’t sit well. Later the group went on to record some songs under the Honey Hush Label. Jimmy Mac Died and so did Cool Cliff may they rest in peace. We also had another person join the group after the recording of Disco Dream who went by the name of Butch Kid. D.J. Julio is now living in florida, And Mr.Schick is living in South Carolina. Butch Kid lives in Brooklyn N.Y.
Members
- DJ Julio (Steven Santiago)
- Jimmy Mac (James McLean)
- Mr. Nice (Jose Semprit)
- Mr. Schick (Daniel Rivera Jr.)
- Butch Kid (Roman Barksdale)
- Cool Cliff (Clifford Santiago)
Cool Cliff (Clifford Santiago) was the first child rapper and paved the way for others. RIP Little brother.