Ultramagnetic MCs

Although hip hop started in the Bronx/NY, only a very few rappers and DJs from the Bronx have turned into successful artists. One of them is the Ultramagnetic M.C.'s. The group started around 1984, two years before the golden age of the old school began in 1986. Many believe without Ced-Gee, the main producer of Ultra's earlier material, the sound and samples, mostly James Brown, wouldn't have been as prominant. Their break-out single was Funky/Mentally? Mad. It was released in 1987 and put the foursome on the map. This led to the release of the album, Critical Beatdown. Although the Ultramagnetic MCs - Kool Keith [Ced Gee]? [TR Love]? [Moe Love]?- released a new school classic in 1988 - "Critical Breakdown" with typical James Brown samples - they disappeared after that for several years, to return on [Mercury Records]? in 1992, with the versatile album "Funk Your Head Up". 1993's "The Four Horsemen" was very weird and equally brilliant, but that was the last album the rappers from the Bronx released. There were several bootleg and compilation albums to follow, many with outtakes or older material not released (The B-Sides Companion). The Ultramagnetic MC's launched the career of "Bronx Nigga" Tim Dog who brought out the very succesful single "Fuck Compton". Kool Keith and Tim Dog would reunite on the semi-Ultra reunion album, Big time. Kool Keith went on to record lots of solo CDs, among them one under the "Dr. Octagon" monicker. His abstract rhymes influenced [Pharaohe Monch]? from [Organized Konfusion]?.