MC Breed
Encyclopedia
Eric Breed better known as MC Breed, was an American rapper best known for his singles "Ain't No Future in Yo Frontin", which peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100
, and "Gotta Get Mine", featuring 2Pac, that made it to #6 on the Hot Rap Singles.
, Michigan
, Breed is also known as the first commercially successful rapper to come out of the Midwest. MC Breed's first album was released with rap group DFC
and was entitled MC Breed & DFC
for independent record label, SDEG Records. His solo debut was 1992's 20 Below
, after which he released 1993's The New Breed
. He would go on to have a very extensive discography and have a very long career that was at times successful, but he never fully broke into the mainstream. His highest charting album was 1994's Funkafied
, which peaked at #106 on the Billboard Hot 200. Through his career he would align himself with various rap scenes. Early in his career with DFC, he and the group were independents, as one of the first groups out of the midwest. However, later in his career he aligned himself with the West Coast, taking on more of a G-Funk
sound and befriending West Coast rapper Too Short. Still later, he realigned himself once again with the Dirty South for 1995's Big Baller
.
Breed released two more albums with Wrap Records - 1996's To Da Beat Ch'all
and 1997's Flatline
- to fulfill his contract with the label. In 1998, Breed signed a deal with Power Records, who had distribution through Roadrunner Records
, and released the album, It's All Good, in 1999. 2 for the Show
, a compilation showcasing some of Breed's famous collaborations with 2Pac, Too Short, and more, followed later that year. In 2000, Breed starred in the straight-to-video movie, Dollar
, alongside Shannon Greer, and released a soundtrack for it, which featured his smash hit, "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'". Breed also released a compilation that year titled The Thugz, Vol. 1
, and featured Too Short, Richie Rich
, Bootleg of The Dayton Family
, and more. It would end up being his last release with Power Records.
In 2001, Breed released his 13th album, The Fharmacist
, with an up-start independent label based out of Detroit, Michigan called Fharmacy Records. The album featured the Jazze Pha
produced hit, "Let's Go To The Club", and a guest appearance from Bootleg of The Dayton Family
. The album liner notes advertised many upcoming releases, including a collaboration album between Breed and Bootleg under the group name "Flintstones", and a movie starring Breed with an accompanying soundtrack titled Got To Get Mine. No other releases came to fruition, and Fharmacy Records soon diminished.
Breed re-emerged in 2004 with a new deal through Urban Music Zone Entertainment, a subsidiary label of Psychopathic Records
, to release his album The New Prescription
. The album was released in August of that year with national distribution through RED Distribution
/Sony
, and featured Esham
, who was signed to Psychopathic Records
at the time. The album didn't receive much promotion, but a music video was made for the album's only single, "Rap Game".
On May 11, 2006, Breed was sentenced to one year in prison for violating probation in failure to pay over $200,000 in child support. On April 3, 2008, Breed was arrested in Flint, Michigan following an in-store autograph signing session on warrants for about $220,000 in unpaid child support.
On September 5, 2008 the rapper was hospitalized and placed on life-support after he collapsed when his kidneys failed during a game of pickup basketball. On November 22, 2008, Breed reportedly died in his sleep while at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Before his sudden passing, Breed was preparing to release a DVD documentary about his life titled, Where Is MC Breed?. He was also working on a new album, titled The Original Breed: Swag Heavy, which was intended to be released through his former label, Ichiban Records
. Although the project was still in development, Breed had reached out to many of his friends to help create the album, such as producers Erotic D, Ant Banks
, Jazze Pha
, and Colin Wolfe, as well as rappers The D.O.C.
, Spice 1
, and Too Short. Breed stated the album was half finished in September 2008 when he was released from the hospital after being on life support for two days. According to MLive.com, Breed had recorded his last song two days before his death. It's called "Everyday I Wait" and features Tha Outlawz.
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and "Gotta Get Mine", featuring 2Pac, that made it to #6 on the Hot Rap Singles.
Biography
Born in FlintFlint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Breed is also known as the first commercially successful rapper to come out of the Midwest. MC Breed's first album was released with rap group DFC
DFC (group)
DFC was an American hip hop duo composed of Flint, Michigan natives Alpha "Al" Breed and Bobby "T-Dub" Thompson...
and was entitled MC Breed & DFC
MC Breed & DFC
MC Breed & DFC is the debut album MC Breed and DFC. It was released on November 11, 1991 for SDEG Records and was produced by MC Breed, Tim Brown, Herman Lang, Salomon Harris and Schzelle S...
for independent record label, SDEG Records. His solo debut was 1992's 20 Below
20 Below
20 Below is the second album by MC Breed. It was released on May 5, 1992 for Wrap Records and was produced by Bernard Terry and DJ Flash. Though not as successful as his previous album, 20 Below made it to three Billboard charts, #155 on the Billboard 200, #40 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #6...
, after which he released 1993's The New Breed
The New Breed (album)
The New Breed is the third album by MC Breed. It was released on April 27, 1993 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, The D.O.C. and Warren G. The New Breed found decent success, making it to #156 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but the album is best known for...
. He would go on to have a very extensive discography and have a very long career that was at times successful, but he never fully broke into the mainstream. His highest charting album was 1994's Funkafied
Funkafied
Funkafied is the fourth album by MC Breed. It was released on June 7, 1994 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, DJ Flash, Brett Ski and The Hurra. Funkafied was Breed's most successful album chart wise, peaking at #106 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
, which peaked at #106 on the Billboard Hot 200. Through his career he would align himself with various rap scenes. Early in his career with DFC, he and the group were independents, as one of the first groups out of the midwest. However, later in his career he aligned himself with the West Coast, taking on more of a G-Funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
sound and befriending West Coast rapper Too Short. Still later, he realigned himself once again with the Dirty South for 1995's Big Baller
Big Baller
Big Baller is the fifth album released by MC Breed. It was released on June 20, 1995 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, Brett Ski, Amp Fiddler, Shorty B., Carlos Glover, and Ramone "Pee Wee" Gooden...
.
Breed released two more albums with Wrap Records - 1996's To Da Beat Ch'all
To Da Beat Ch'all
To Da Beat Ch'all is the sixth album released by MC Breed. It was released on May 14, 1996 for Wrap Records and featured production from MC Breed, Erick Sermon, DJ Hurricane, Jazze Pha and Eddie Miller. The album was not much of a success, only making it to #34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.-Track...
and 1997's Flatline
Flatline (album)
Flatline is the eighth album released by MC Breed. It was released on September 16, 1997 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha, Ant Banks, The D.O.C., Preston Crump and Erotic D. Though it gained mostly positive reviews, the album only peaked at #48 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
- to fulfill his contract with the label. In 1998, Breed signed a deal with Power Records, who had distribution through Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
, and released the album, It's All Good, in 1999. 2 for the Show
2 for the Show
2 for the Show is the tenth album released by MC Breed. It was released on November 23, 1999 for Power Records, distributed by Roadrunner Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha, Big L, 8Ball & MJG, Rob "Masta" Allen, South O, Mike Dean, Sedric "Swift" Barnett, B. Wild, Mr. Lee, Theo G,...
, a compilation showcasing some of Breed's famous collaborations with 2Pac, Too Short, and more, followed later that year. In 2000, Breed starred in the straight-to-video movie, Dollar
Dollar
The dollar is the name of the official currency of many countries, including Australia, Belize, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States.-Etymology:...
, alongside Shannon Greer, and released a soundtrack for it, which featured his smash hit, "Ain't No Future In Yo' Frontin'". Breed also released a compilation that year titled The Thugz, Vol. 1
The Thugz, Vol. 1
The Thugz is the tenth album released by MC Breed. It was released on January 18, 2000 for Power Records and was produced by MC Breed, Corey Peterson, LeRoy McMath and Bob Antoine...
, and featured Too Short, Richie Rich
Richie Rich (rapper)
Richard Serrell, better known by his stage name Richie Rich, is a rapper from Oakland, California.He is currently signed to Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records.-Early years :His rapping style is an influence on Snoop Dogg. In Snoop's own words...
, Bootleg of The Dayton Family
The Dayton Family
The Dayton Family is an American hip hop group from Flint, Michigan. The group is composed of Ira Dorsey, Raheen Peterson, and Matt Hinkle, who perform under the respective personas of Bootleg, Shoestring, and Backstabba...
, and more. It would end up being his last release with Power Records.
In 2001, Breed released his 13th album, The Fharmacist
The Fharmacist
The Fharmacist is the 12th album released by MC Breed. It was released on May 8, 2001 for Fharmacy Recordings and featured production from MC Breed, Jazze Pha, The D.O.C., Dog, Corey Peterson and Gee Pierce. By the time this album was released, Breed's popularity had greatly decreased, thus the...
, with an up-start independent label based out of Detroit, Michigan called Fharmacy Records. The album featured the Jazze Pha
Jazze Pha
Phalon Anton Alexander , also known as Jazze Pha , is an American singer, and songwriter.raised in Memphis, TN; son of James Alexander ....
produced hit, "Let's Go To The Club", and a guest appearance from Bootleg of The Dayton Family
The Dayton Family
The Dayton Family is an American hip hop group from Flint, Michigan. The group is composed of Ira Dorsey, Raheen Peterson, and Matt Hinkle, who perform under the respective personas of Bootleg, Shoestring, and Backstabba...
. The album liner notes advertised many upcoming releases, including a collaboration album between Breed and Bootleg under the group name "Flintstones", and a movie starring Breed with an accompanying soundtrack titled Got To Get Mine. No other releases came to fruition, and Fharmacy Records soon diminished.
Breed re-emerged in 2004 with a new deal through Urban Music Zone Entertainment, a subsidiary label of Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet", is an American independent record label based in Farmington Hills, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse....
, to release his album The New Prescription
The New Prescription
The New Presciption is the 13th and last studio album released by Breed . It was released on August 24, 2004 for UMZ Entertainment and was produced by Esham and G. Pierce...
. The album was released in August of that year with national distribution through RED Distribution
RED Distribution
RED - An Artist Development Company is a Sony Music Entertainment-owned sales and marketing division that handles releases for over sixty independent record labels....
/Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, and featured Esham
Esham
Rashaam Attica Smith, better known by his stage name Esham , is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan known for his hallucinogenic style of hip hop which he refers to as "acid rap", which fuses rock-based beats and lyrics involving subjects such as death, drug use, evil, paranoia and...
, who was signed to Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records
Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet", is an American independent record label based in Farmington Hills, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse....
at the time. The album didn't receive much promotion, but a music video was made for the album's only single, "Rap Game".
On May 11, 2006, Breed was sentenced to one year in prison for violating probation in failure to pay over $200,000 in child support. On April 3, 2008, Breed was arrested in Flint, Michigan following an in-store autograph signing session on warrants for about $220,000 in unpaid child support.
On September 5, 2008 the rapper was hospitalized and placed on life-support after he collapsed when his kidneys failed during a game of pickup basketball. On November 22, 2008, Breed reportedly died in his sleep while at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Before his sudden passing, Breed was preparing to release a DVD documentary about his life titled, Where Is MC Breed?. He was also working on a new album, titled The Original Breed: Swag Heavy, which was intended to be released through his former label, Ichiban Records
Ichiban Records
Ichiban Records was a hip hop record label founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1985. Wrap Records and Nastymix Records were some of its subsidiary labels. Urgent! Records was distributed by Ichiban. Most of its discography is now out of print. Besides hip hop groups, Ichiban also released albums by...
. Although the project was still in development, Breed had reached out to many of his friends to help create the album, such as producers Erotic D, Ant Banks
Ant Banks
Anthony Banks, known simply as Ant Banks, is a producer and rapper from Oakland, California.-Biography:As a child he took part in a band at school and from there learned to play a variety of instruments along the way. At school he only learned Classical, but at home he taught himself to play Funk...
, Jazze Pha
Jazze Pha
Phalon Anton Alexander , also known as Jazze Pha , is an American singer, and songwriter.raised in Memphis, TN; son of James Alexander ....
, and Colin Wolfe, as well as rappers The D.O.C.
The D.O.C.
Tracy Lynn Curry , primarily known by his stage name The D.O.C., is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas. In addition to a solo career, he was a member of the hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew, and a creative force behind the gangsta rap group N.W.A, where he co-wrote many of their releases. He has...
, Spice 1
Spice 1
Robert L. Green, Jr., better known by his stage name Spice 1, is an American rapper from Hayward, California. He has consistently been releasing solo and group albums since 1992. Spice 1 was ranked number 56 in The Source magazine's Top 115 Hip-Hop Artists from 1988–2003...
, and Too Short. Breed stated the album was half finished in September 2008 when he was released from the hospital after being on life support for two days. According to MLive.com, Breed had recorded his last song two days before his death. It's called "Everyday I Wait" and features Tha Outlawz.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. Hip-Hop Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||||
| 1991 | MC Breed & DFC MC Breed & DFC MC Breed & DFC is the debut album MC Breed and DFC. It was released on November 11, 1991 for SDEG Records and was produced by MC Breed, Tim Brown, Herman Lang, Salomon Harris and Schzelle S... |
142 | 38 | ||
| 1992 | 20 Below 20 Below 20 Below is the second album by MC Breed. It was released on May 5, 1992 for Wrap Records and was produced by Bernard Terry and DJ Flash. Though not as successful as his previous album, 20 Below made it to three Billboard charts, #155 on the Billboard 200, #40 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #6... |
155 | 40 | ||
| 1993 | The New Breed The New Breed (album) The New Breed is the third album by MC Breed. It was released on April 27, 1993 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, The D.O.C. and Warren G. The New Breed found decent success, making it to #156 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but the album is best known for... |
156 | 17 | ||
| 1994 | Funkafied Funkafied Funkafied is the fourth album by MC Breed. It was released on June 7, 1994 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, DJ Flash, Brett Ski and The Hurra. Funkafied was Breed's most successful album chart wise, peaking at #106 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums... |
106 | 9 | ||
| 1995 | Big Baller Big Baller Big Baller is the fifth album released by MC Breed. It was released on June 20, 1995 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, Brett Ski, Amp Fiddler, Shorty B., Carlos Glover, and Ramone "Pee Wee" Gooden... |
143 | 17 | ||
| 1996 | To Da Beat Ch'all To Da Beat Ch'all To Da Beat Ch'all is the sixth album released by MC Breed. It was released on May 14, 1996 for Wrap Records and featured production from MC Breed, Erick Sermon, DJ Hurricane, Jazze Pha and Eddie Miller. The album was not much of a success, only making it to #34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.-Track... |
- | 34 | ||
| 1997 | Saucy Saucy (album) Saucy is the seventh album released by MC Breed. It was released on February 18, 1997 for Ichiban Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha, DJ Flash and Big Q.-Track listing:#"One Puff"- 4:18#"Da Bomb"- 5:18#"Salt in My Game"- 4:59... |
- | - | ||
| 1997 | Flatline Flatline (album) Flatline is the eighth album released by MC Breed. It was released on September 16, 1997 for Wrap Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha, Ant Banks, The D.O.C., Preston Crump and Erotic D. Though it gained mostly positive reviews, the album only peaked at #48 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums... |
- | 48 | ||
| 1999 | It's All Good | 180 | 41 | ||
| 2000 | The Thugz, Vol. 1 The Thugz, Vol. 1 The Thugz is the tenth album released by MC Breed. It was released on January 18, 2000 for Power Records and was produced by MC Breed, Corey Peterson, LeRoy McMath and Bob Antoine... |
- | 64 | ||
| 2000 | Rare Breed Rare Breed (album) Rare Breed is the 11th album released by MC Breed. It was released on February 8, 2000 for Albatross Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha and Chuck Nyce.-Track listing:#"Roll up a Phat One"- 4:18#"The Bomb"- 5:41#"Palya Hatta"- 4:59... |
- | - | ||
| 2001 | The Fharmacist The Fharmacist The Fharmacist is the 12th album released by MC Breed. It was released on May 8, 2001 for Fharmacy Recordings and featured production from MC Breed, Jazze Pha, The D.O.C., Dog, Corey Peterson and Gee Pierce. By the time this album was released, Breed's popularity had greatly decreased, thus the... |
- | - | ||
| 2004 | The New Prescription The New Prescription The New Presciption is the 13th and last studio album released by Breed . It was released on August 24, 2004 for UMZ Entertainment and was produced by Esham and G. Pierce... |
- | - | ||
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or not released | |||||
Compilations
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1995 | The Best of Breed The Best of Breed The Best of Breed is a compilation album released by MC Breed. It peaked at number 66 on Billboard magazine's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the U.S.-Track listing:#"Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'"- 4:00#"Gotta Get Mine"- 4:17... |
| 1999 | 2 for the Show 2 for the Show 2 for the Show is the tenth album released by MC Breed. It was released on November 23, 1999 for Power Records, distributed by Roadrunner Records and was produced by MC Breed, Jazze Pha, Big L, 8Ball & MJG, Rob "Masta" Allen, South O, Mike Dean, Sedric "Swift" Barnett, B. Wild, Mr. Lee, Theo G,... |
| 2002 | Chopped and Screwed Chopped and Screwed (album) Chopped and Screwed is a compilation album by MC Breed featuring his greatest hits Chopped and screwed. It was released on July 30, 2002 for Ichiban Records and was produced by MC Breed, Ant Banks, Warren G, Jazze Pha, Swift C, Carlos Glover, Colin Wolfe, Erotic D and the 281 Boys.-Track... |
| 2004 | The Mix Tape The Mix Tape (MC Breed album) The Mix Tape is a compilation album released by MC Breed. It was released on September 28, 2004 for Ichiban Records and was produced by DJ Crunk Mix and Mark Watson.-Track listing:#"Teach My Kids"- 3:51#"This Is How We Do It, Pt... |
| 2007 | The Hits The Hits (MC Breed album) The Hits is a compilation album by MC Breed released on January 23, 2007 by his former label, Power Records. This was the last compilation released before his unexpected death in late 2008.-Track listing:#"Coming Real"- 3:46... |
Appearances
- 1994: "Sesshead Funky Junky" (from the 8Ball & MJG8Ball & MJG8Ball & MJG is an American Rap and Crunk duo from Memphis, Tennessee. The two rappers met at in 1980.They first appeared on the rap scene with their 1992 underground album Listen To The Lyrics...
album "On the Outside Looking InOn the Outside Looking InOn the Outside Looking In is the 1994 album by Eightball & MJG released on Suave House Records.-Track listing:# "Long Distance "# "Lick 'Em Up Shot"# "Crumbz 2 Brixx"# "Players Night Out"# "Sesshead Funk Junky"...
")