Demon Boyz
Encyclopedia
The Demon Boyz were an English hip hop group formed in London
by Demon D, Mike J and DJ Devastate. They began rapping
whilst in their early teens, performing at the Rebel MC’s Beat Freak gigs. Their big break came when they won a competition on Dave Pearce
’s rap show, their prize being to perform live on stage with Derek B
, Faze One and T La Rock
at a gig at Camden Palace
. Derek B – aka Derek Boland, quasi-A&R
man for Music of Life
records – was so impressed with the group that he put them in touch with the company’s founder, Simon Harris
.
The group recorded the song "This is a Jam" for the inaugural release from the label’s classic Hard as Hell series, Hard as Hell (Music of Life, 1987), and the group were quickly signed up on the back of this song’s reception. As one of the first groups to rap in their natural accents – in an era when most British rappers were adopting fake American accents to emulate the hip hop music
they were listening to – the Demon Boyz created a stir, and laid the foundations for the creation of a truly original UK scene
.
Three singles and the landmark album Recognition (Music of Life, 1989)& heavily featured on music of Life's album "Hustlers Convention" considered by many to be rap's first ever live album followed, and the success of the former brought the group to the attention of Island Records
’ subsidiary Mango Records. The group moved to the label, releasing the single "International Karate" (Mango, 1990) to high acclaim. However, Island
closed their subsidiary soon afterwards, and the group found themselves without a record deal.
Going back to their roots, they joined Tribal Bass, the record company run by their old friend Rebel MC. Feeling much more at home, the group released two more singles and their second album, Original Guidance (The Second Chapter) (Tribal Bass, 1992). The album was well received within the scene, earning an even higher regard than their first release, but shortly afterwards the group split.
Mike J reappeared later on, under the name Million Dan, guesting on the single "High Grade" (Knowledge and Wisdom Records, 2001) by Knowledge and Wisdom. He then collaborated with The Freestylers
on the singles "No Replica" (Against the Grain, 2003) and "Dogz and Sledgez", both of which appear on the album Raw As Fuck
. He continues to record, although his forthcoming album Spektrum has been delayed although the classic "Recognition" has been re-released on CD along with various 12" cuts from the group available on the Suspect Packages label (April 2007).
Million Dan
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
by Demon D, Mike J and DJ Devastate. They began rapping
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”...
whilst in their early teens, performing at the Rebel MC’s Beat Freak gigs. Their big break came when they won a competition on Dave Pearce
Dave Pearce
Dave Pearce is a British dance DJ and record producer, who has played gigs across the UK and the world, although he is perhaps best known for his work in radio. He currently works for the BBC 6 Music...
’s rap show, their prize being to perform live on stage with Derek B
Derek B
Derek Boland , better known by his stage name Derek B, was a British rapper. His most commercially successful releases were "Goodgroove" and "Bad Young Brother" in 1988.- Biography :...
, Faze One and T La Rock
T La Rock
Clarence "Terry" Ronnie Keaton , known by the stage name T La Rock, is an American old-school emcee best known for his collaboration with Def Jam Recordings co-founder Rick Rubin and the 1984 single "It's Yours." He disappeared from the hip hop scene after a traumatic brain injury in 1994, but as...
at a gig at Camden Palace
Camden Palace
KOKO is a nightclub in a former theatre in Camden Town, London, England, at the bottom of Camden High Street close to Mornington Crescent tube station. Until 2004 it was called the Camden Palace. The building is considered to have some architectural significance and is a Grade II listed...
. Derek B – aka Derek Boland, quasi-A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
man for Music of Life
Music of Life
Music of Life is a British independent dance music label formed in 1986 by two influential DJ remixers, Froggy and Simon Harris. Following several successful productions, one of which reached No3 in the UK pop music charts Harris and Froggy decided to launch their own label, they were offered a...
records – was so impressed with the group that he put them in touch with the company’s founder, Simon Harris
Simon Harris
Simon Harris , is predominantly known as the owner and founder of the record label Music of Life and writer/producer of most of its extensive catalog of songs, although he is also an influential DJ, award winning producer, remixer of several Grammy Award winning artists and pioneer of electronic...
.
The group recorded the song "This is a Jam" for the inaugural release from the label’s classic Hard as Hell series, Hard as Hell (Music of Life, 1987), and the group were quickly signed up on the back of this song’s reception. As one of the first groups to rap in their natural accents – in an era when most British rappers were adopting fake American accents to emulate the hip hop music
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
they were listening to – the Demon Boyz created a stir, and laid the foundations for the creation of a truly original UK scene
British hip hop
British hip hop is a genre of music, and a culture that covers a variety of styles of hip hop music made in the United Kingdom. It is generally classified as one of a number of styles of urban music...
.
Three singles and the landmark album Recognition (Music of Life, 1989)& heavily featured on music of Life's album "Hustlers Convention" considered by many to be rap's first ever live album followed, and the success of the former brought the group to the attention of Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
’ subsidiary Mango Records. The group moved to the label, releasing the single "International Karate" (Mango, 1990) to high acclaim. However, Island
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
closed their subsidiary soon afterwards, and the group found themselves without a record deal.
Going back to their roots, they joined Tribal Bass, the record company run by their old friend Rebel MC. Feeling much more at home, the group released two more singles and their second album, Original Guidance (The Second Chapter) (Tribal Bass, 1992). The album was well received within the scene, earning an even higher regard than their first release, but shortly afterwards the group split.
Mike J reappeared later on, under the name Million Dan, guesting on the single "High Grade" (Knowledge and Wisdom Records, 2001) by Knowledge and Wisdom. He then collaborated with The Freestylers
Freestylers
The Freestylers are a British electronic music group, generally fitting into the breakbeat genre. Recently their style has incorporated more of a drumstep sound, more in line with The Prodigy and other such artists.-Career:...
on the singles "No Replica" (Against the Grain, 2003) and "Dogz and Sledgez", both of which appear on the album Raw As Fuck
Raw as Fuck
Raw as Fuck is an album by the British electronic music group the Freestylers. Released in July 2004, Raw as Fuck was their third album and first since the 2001 release Pressure Point....
. He continues to record, although his forthcoming album Spektrum has been delayed although the classic "Recognition" has been re-released on CD along with various 12" cuts from the group available on the Suspect Packages label (April 2007).
Discography
Demon Boyz- Recognition (Music of Life, 1989)
- Original Guidance (The Second Chapter) (Tribal Bass, 1992)
Compilation appearance
- Hustlers Convention (1989)
Million Dan
- Spektrum (Forthcoming)