Rusty Ps
Encyclopedia
The Rusty Ps is a hip hop/rap group based in Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
. Initially known as the Rusty Pelicans after forming in 1995, its membership currently consists of Phantom Channel (MC), Count Classic (MC), S Watson (production), and Madhatter (DJ).
and Dana Coppafeel decided to start their own crew called "Rusty Pelicans", writing, recording and performing their own unique style of hip hop
.
, funk
and rhythm and blues
, but were also inspired later in his teens by punk
, ska
, reggae
, and rock
. Jordan's roots in drumming and years of voice and theatre training, made the progression into working with hip hop
a smooth one. Music has always been, and continues to be, the major building block of his life.
MPC
2000, except the Rusty Pelicans first release, the "Prototype" single, which was produced using the Akai
S-20.
According to Watson, "music
is love
" and he intends to use it to bring "peace
" to the human
family
.
From there, Phantom Channel went on to attend school with the Count Classic. It was first grade at St. Sebastian's in Milwaukee. Count Classic soon moved to Madison WI.
Phantom Channel, remaining at "Sebs" for the rest of his grade school education soon reunited with S Watson in the 6th grade as Watson began attending St Sebastian’s as well. They finished their elementary education there and parted ways for different high schools.
Count Classic returned from Madison and attended Nicolet High School. There he met Oneself
and continued at Nicolet for his entire high school education.
Oneself
, having left Nicolet after the first two years of high school, attended West Division High School. There he met Phantom Channel and Dana Coppafeel who had been attending that school since freshman year. Oneself reunited Channel with Classic, the old friends from first grade. They all graduated from their respective schools in 1995 and Phantom Channel and Mr. Smith went on to move into an apartment with their good friend Count Classic.
Already music lovers and hip hop "heads" the four, Classic, Channel, Oneself and Coppafeel, remained friends and having learned much of the culture of hip hop in high school began small freestyle sessions with other local aspiring rappers and also invested in a small beat machine, the DR-5.
Meanwhile, S Watson went on to attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He left school after approximately 6 months and returned home.
Without any connections in Milwaukee, Watson called his old friend Phantom Channel and began hanging out with who would soon become the Rusty Pelicans. Watson remained in Milwaukee for 6 months and went on to attend a recording arts school, Full Sail, in Winter Park, FL.
It was during this time, 1996, that the Rusty Pelicans were taking shape in a basement apartment
on Milwaukee's east side.
, Killa Kella -International Beat Box Champion and DJ Hype
(Germany). As a supporting act, Rusty Ps has also performed with groups such as Run DMC, Eminem
, The Roots
, Common, Lupe Fiasco
, Talib Kweli
, Ludacris
, The Black Eyed Peas
, Jurassic 5
, Slick Rick
, Digital Underground
, Masta Ace
, Elzhi
of Slum Village
, Hieroglyphics
, Del the Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief
, Casual
, Styles of Beyond
, The High & Mighty, The X-Ecutioners
, Blackalicious
, DJ Shadow
, Latyrx
, Nappy Roots
, Brother Ali
, Murs
, and Atmosphere
.
award winner for the Best Hip-Hop/Rap category, in the years 2000, 2001 and 2006. With nominations in 1999, and 2002, 2008, 2009.
in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005.
. (1999)
RPCP stands for "Rusty Pelican, Civilized Person"
and Atmosphere
and was released nationally as well internationally. (2001)
. "Quickness" was distributed throughout Europe
and received critical acclaim in the London club scene. (2003)
. (2004)
s from Milwaukee, including members of Def Harmonic, and The Mistreaters. (2005)
(UK) release from Crowhead (formerly the Nudge). The song will also be featured on the Crowhead full length "Born With Teeth." (2009)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Initially known as the Rusty Pelicans after forming in 1995, its membership currently consists of Phantom Channel (MC), Count Classic (MC), S Watson (production), and Madhatter (DJ).
Count Classic
Also known as "Caddilac", the Count is an original member of the Rusty Pelicans/Rusty Ps. Mcing since 1992, Count had been a member of various groups and crews until he, Phantom Channel, OneselfOneself
Oneself is an American hip hop artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A former member of the legendary Rusty Ps, began his career in 1995.Oneself was influenced by jazz, reggae, funk and punk rock, he says he has gathered inspiration from each genre and incorporates it into his music...
and Dana Coppafeel decided to start their own crew called "Rusty Pelicans", writing, recording and performing their own unique style of hip hop
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...
.
Phantom Channel
Phantom Channel has been emceeing since 1992 working in various groups and has been writing, recording and performing as an original member of the Rusty Pelicans/Rusty Ps since 1995. Phantom Channel was a featured emcee on the Recycled Future release, "The Nettle" (2005). He has also done a guest spot with Mic Virus (The Virus) on the M.A.K.E.S. Ent. Compilation, "Makes Sense" (2003). Currently, Phantom Channel is working on a collaborative project with The LMNTlyst, titled, The Lab Partners. An experimental project that finds PC expanding his repertoire and playing live drums and vocals throughout. No further information about this project is available at this time.Madhatter
DJ Madhatter joined the Rusty Ps in the year 2002. He began deejaying in 1998 and moved to Milwaukee, WI from his hometown of Kenosha, WI. Jordan " Madhatter" Lee began playing drums and making music before the age of ten. His musical roots were deeply based in soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, but were also inspired later in his teens by punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. Jordan's roots in drumming and years of voice and theatre training, made the progression into working with hip hop
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...
a smooth one. Music has always been, and continues to be, the major building block of his life.
S Watson
S Watson has been producing for the Rusty Ps since 1997. All of his released work has been produced using the AkaiAkai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
MPC
MPC
-Astronomy:* Megaparsec, unit of length used in astronomy* Minor Planet Center, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory**Minor Planet Circulars, or astronomical publication from the Minor Planet Center...
2000, except the Rusty Pelicans first release, the "Prototype" single, which was produced using the Akai
Akai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
S-20.
According to Watson, "music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
is love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
" and he intends to use it to bring "peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
" to the human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
.
History
The story of the Rusty Ps begins in 1982 when S Watson attended kindergarten with the Phantom Channel. The two attended Neskara Elementary in Milwaukee, WI, for their first year of school. Watson, an import to Milwaukee from Chicago and Channel a Milwaukee native became good friends right off the bat but parted ways after this first year of school.From there, Phantom Channel went on to attend school with the Count Classic. It was first grade at St. Sebastian's in Milwaukee. Count Classic soon moved to Madison WI.
Phantom Channel, remaining at "Sebs" for the rest of his grade school education soon reunited with S Watson in the 6th grade as Watson began attending St Sebastian’s as well. They finished their elementary education there and parted ways for different high schools.
Count Classic returned from Madison and attended Nicolet High School. There he met Oneself
Oneself
Oneself is an American hip hop artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A former member of the legendary Rusty Ps, began his career in 1995.Oneself was influenced by jazz, reggae, funk and punk rock, he says he has gathered inspiration from each genre and incorporates it into his music...
and continued at Nicolet for his entire high school education.
Oneself
Oneself
Oneself is an American hip hop artist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A former member of the legendary Rusty Ps, began his career in 1995.Oneself was influenced by jazz, reggae, funk and punk rock, he says he has gathered inspiration from each genre and incorporates it into his music...
, having left Nicolet after the first two years of high school, attended West Division High School. There he met Phantom Channel and Dana Coppafeel who had been attending that school since freshman year. Oneself reunited Channel with Classic, the old friends from first grade. They all graduated from their respective schools in 1995 and Phantom Channel and Mr. Smith went on to move into an apartment with their good friend Count Classic.
Already music lovers and hip hop "heads" the four, Classic, Channel, Oneself and Coppafeel, remained friends and having learned much of the culture of hip hop in high school began small freestyle sessions with other local aspiring rappers and also invested in a small beat machine, the DR-5.
Meanwhile, S Watson went on to attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He left school after approximately 6 months and returned home.
Without any connections in Milwaukee, Watson called his old friend Phantom Channel and began hanging out with who would soon become the Rusty Pelicans. Watson remained in Milwaukee for 6 months and went on to attend a recording arts school, Full Sail, in Winter Park, FL.
It was during this time, 1996, that the Rusty Pelicans were taking shape in a basement apartment
Basement apartment
A basement apartment is an apartment located below street level, underneath another structure—usually an apartment building, but possibly a house or a business. Rent in basement apartments is usually much lower than it is in above-ground units, due to a number of deficiencies common to basement...
on Milwaukee's east side.
Tours and Performances
The Rusty Ps has toured nationally and internationally with groups such as The PharcydeThe 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...
, Killa Kella -International Beat Box Champion and DJ Hype
DJ Hype
DJ Hype is a stage name of drum and bass producer and DJ, Kevin Ford. His 1993 track, "Shot in the Dark", appeared in the UK Singles Chart in 1993.-Biography:...
(Germany). As a supporting act, Rusty Ps has also performed with groups such as Run DMC, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Common, Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, 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...
, Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
, Digital Underground
Digital Underground
Digital Underground was an alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California. It could have been considered a music "family" rather than a group, as its personnel changed and rotated with each album and tour....
, Masta Ace
Masta Ace
Duval Clear , known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is a rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony"...
, Elzhi
Elzhi
Jason Powers is a hip-hop artist from Detroit, Michigan. Many Underground fans know him as "Detroit's Best Kept Secret". As a former member of Slum Village he now records as a solo artist...
of Slum Village
Slum Village
Slum Village was a hip hop group from Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan.The group was formed by three members: rappers Baatin and T3, plus rapper and producer J Dilla . J Dilla left in 2002 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records...
, Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics (band)
Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The collective was founded in the early-1990s by rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien...
, Del the Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief
Souls of Mischief
-Studio albums:-Singles:-External links:* [ Allmusic Biography]* *...
, Casual
Casual
In the European tradition, casual is the dress code that emphasizes comfort and personal expression over presentation and uniformity. It includes a very wide variety of costume, so it is perhaps better defined by what it isn't than what it is...
, Styles of Beyond
Styles of Beyond
Styles of Beyond is an underground rap group from the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. The group consists of MCs Ryan Patrick Maginn and Takbir Bashir , Colton Raisin Fisher , and producer Jason Rabinowitz . They have released two LPs, one mixtape and were heavily featured on Mike...
, The High & Mighty, The X-Ecutioners
The X-Ecutioners
The X-Ecutioners is a group of hip hop DJs / turntablists from New York.-History:Formed as a DJ crew in the early nineties and originally including 11 members, under the name X-Men, which was chosen partly because of their rivalry between Super DJ Clark Kent's crew of DJs, known as the Supermen,...
, Blackalicious
Blackalicious
Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel . They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats...
, DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
, Latyrx
Latyrx
Latyrx is a hip hop music group consisting of Lateef the Truth Speaker and Lyrics Born. The roots of their partnership lay in the formation of the Solesides collective at the University of California, Davis.-History:...
, Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
, Brother Ali
Brother Ali
Ali Newman , better known by the stage name Brother Ali, is an American hip hop artist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.-Personal life:...
, Murs
Murs
Murs may refer to:*Murs , American rapper*Multi-Use Radio ServiceFrench communes*Murs, Indre*Murs, Vaucluse*Murs-et-Gélignieux, Ain département*Mûrs-Erigné, Maine-et-Loire département...
, and Atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
.
WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry)
The Rusty Ps is a three time WAMIWisconsin Area Music Industry
Wisconsin Area Music Industry is an American volunteer organization founded in 1980, and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its stated purpose is "to educate and recognize the achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the Wisconsin music industry." The organization is best known for its...
award winner for the Best Hip-Hop/Rap category, in the years 2000, 2001 and 2006. With nominations in 1999, and 2002, 2008, 2009.
"Best of Milwaukee"
Voted "best of" Milwaukee hiphop / rap group by the readers of the Shepherd ExpressShepherd Express
The Shepherd Express is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.-History:The paper originated in May, 1982 as the Crazy Shepherd, its name derived from a line in Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Footnotes to Howl”...
in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005.
"88.9 Radio Milwaukee - Top 100 Songs of 2008"
The Rusty Ps single "Foundation" was voted in at #58 in the Top 100 Songs of 2008 by the listeners of the online poll conducted by 88.9 Radio Milwaukee."88.9 Radio Milwaukee - Milwaukee Music Awards 2009"
The Rusty Ps win the "Earwig Award" for catchiest song of the year.Prototype RPCP 12"
The first recorded effort by the Rusty Pelicans. Recorded at Walls Have Ears, Milwaukee, WI. Vocal recording, mix and master done at Hollywood Sound in Hollywood, CACalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. (1999)
RPCP stands for "Rusty Pelican, Civilized Person"
The Best Part
“The Best Part” is the first full length CD project recorded by the Rusty Pelicans. Recorded at Bionic Studios, Milwaukee, WI. (1999)Tread Water 12"
The second single recorded and released by the Rusty Pelicans in support of their album, "Out of Many". This single was released nationally as well internationally. (2000)Out of Many
“Out of Many” is the second full length CD release recorded by the Rusty Ps. Recorded at Bionic Studios, Milwaukee, WI. This album featured collaborations with The PharcydeThe 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...
and Atmosphere
Atmosphere (music group)
Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
and was released nationally as well internationally. (2001)
One
“One” is the third full length CD release recorded by the Rusty Ps. Recorded at Bionic Studios, Milwaukee, WI. (2002)Quickness 12"
Phantom Channel and Count Classic were featured emcees on this Grand Central Records(UK) release from the Nudge, a DJ/producer in LondonLondon
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...
. "Quickness" was distributed throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and received critical acclaim in the London club scene. (2003)
Is It Live? 12"
the Rusty Ps licensed "Is It Live?", the B-side from the "Professional" single to Grand Central Records(UK)which and was released in Europe. This 12" also features a remix by Rob Smith of Smith & MightySmith & Mighty
Smith & Mighty are a Drum and bass/Trip hop group from Bristol, consisting of Rob Smith and Ray Mighty. Their first releases, in the late 1980s, were breakbeat covers of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "Walk on By"...
. (2004)
Rusty Ps vs. Milwaukee
“Rusty Ps vs. Milwaukee” is the fourth full length release by the Rusty Ps. The Ps collaborated with some of the best talent of various musical genreGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s from Milwaukee, including members of Def Harmonic, and The Mistreaters. (2005)
The Shape of Things to Come
"The Shape of Things to Come" is the P's fifth full length release to date. Featuring production by S Watson, J Todd and D'Matikk who laid the backdrop for the P's signature stylings. DJ Madhatter is also featured throughout the album. (2008)Unreleased Sweetness, Vol. 1
"Unreleased Sweetness, Vol. 1" is the first installment of an ongoing series originally made available on the groups website, www.rustyps.com. A collection of rare, previously unreleased material spanning roughly from 2002-2007. (2008)Best Kept Secret 12"
Phantom Channel and Count Classic were featured emcees on this Atic RecordsATIC Records
ATIC Records is an independent record label formed by British musician, DJ and producer, Aim . He left Grand Central Records in early 2005 and started ATIC Records in June 2006....
(UK) release from Crowhead (formerly the Nudge). The song will also be featured on the Crowhead full length "Born With Teeth." (2009)