X-RAY
Mar 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Brolin Winning
A hip-hop supercrew hailing from New York, the Monsta Island Czars is the dopest group of rappers you've never heard. Founded by veteran mic clutcher GM Grimm (formerly known as MF Grimm; his M.I.C. persona is Jet Jaguar), the Czars first appeared on the relentlessly hyped posse cut “Who You Think I Am?” from MF Doom's 1999 classic debut, Operation: Doomsday (Sub Verse). And this past year, the Czars dropped the long-awaited full-length Escape From Monsta Island! (Metal Face/Rhymesayers). Some 10 members deep, the group has a streetwise but philosophical lyricism, as well as ultrarugged beatscapes and a penchant for cinematic interludes, that led one publication to label it the “New Tang Clan.” If the Czars are the new Wu, X-Ray is their RZA.
Also known as King Caesar, X-Ray has been in the game since the “golden era” of the late '80s, lacing beats for artists in and around Long Island. In addition to producing most of the M.I.C. debut and working on all of the upcoming solo joints, he was also a key player on Operation: Doomsday and Grimm's The Downfall of Iblyis: A Ghetto Opera (Day by Day, 2002). His label, Mindbenda Recordings, has released two 20-track compilations, Monsta Mixes 1 and 2, and he has a promo-only sampler coming soon. Undoubtedly, his history in the rap biz runs deep.
“I started as a DJ and used to do a lot of local parties with people like Public Enemy before they were PE — they were called Spectrum City,” X-Ray says. “Also Doctor Dre — from the radio and MTV, the fat Doctor Dre — had a group called Original Concept. We used to do a lot of parties.”
In '89, X-Ray hooked up with an MC named Sugar Bear and recorded a single for Next Plateau, which led to a tour with EPMD and MC Shan. “It was a small tour,” he recalls. “We went to London once, did Philly, some of the down-South areas. It was when hip-hop was first really getting big exposure.”
At the time, X-Ray's production tactics were simple but effective. “I had just gotten a 4-track and was experimenting with a lot of stuff,” he says. “If I wanted to loop a record, I would take four bars of the loop and record it on one track. Then, on another track, I would fill in where the loop comes in, and I'd go back and forth to each track. I didn't have a sampler yet. There was, like, one sampler out; I think it was called the Fairlight CMI or the [Ensoniq] Mirage. A lot of the guys that I knew who had it, they were using it to sample voices from old disco records. They'd do little vocal drops and play different keys on it. So I finally got my hands on a sampler, and I started experimenting with that.”
Throughout the '90s, X-Ray worked with several crews, paying dues, doing shows and honing his skills. He was in a group called the Player's Club, which released a single on Warlock Records. Then, there was his crew Legion of D.U.M.E. on Ruffhouse Records. “A lot of that didn't work out, so I kept doing other stuff,” he says.
Other projects included producing a group called Serious Lee Fine on Jam Master Jay's label, as well as Darcmind (formerly Legion of D.U.M.E.). Then, X-Ray hooked up with MF Doom. “Operation: Doomsday wasn't even thought about yet,” X-Ray says. Together, X-Ray and Doom recorded the early Fondle 'Em singles that would lead to Doomsday. “That was recorded right here on a cassette 4-track,” he says. “When you listen to 'em, like ‘Gas Drawls,’ it sounds so dirty. A lot of people like that.”
Although his beats remain distinctively grimy, his methods are more high-tech these days. “Right now, I use the MPC2000 and all kinds of Roland gear, including the VS line,” he reveals. “I'm recording in Pro Tools right now with the Digi 001. And I like old sounds and old drum machines like the Casio RZ-1 — that's classic. That's what [Prince] Paul used on ‘Gas Face.’ The kick is so dense-sounding, very recognizable.”
Recognizable is what the Monsta Island Czars are set to become, with this year seeing the rerelease of their debut, in addition to an all-new group album. Like the Shaolin shadowboxers, the M.I.C. are now treating heads to a grip of individual solo albums, with Rodan's Theophany — A Book of Elevations the first on deck, followed by Jet Jaguar's Digital Tears, Megalon's Penny for Your Thoughts and Kong's Written in Blood (all dropping on Day by Day).
X-Ray is currently at work on his King Caesar record and recently launched an online radio show, Ecstasy Radio, featuring exclusive tracks, interviews and “real-deal hip-hop” from all over New York City. Meanwhile, Mindbenda continues to grow, with new artist signings such as Long Island duo Uppa Notch.
Although the mainstream rap world may be oblivious, X-Ray and the rest of the M.I.C. are poised to dominate the hip-hop landscape in 2004. Strapped with undeniable skills, workhorse mentalities and a cultlike following, the Monsta Island Czars are on track to become Monsta Island stars.
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
