MC Duke
Together with his DJ Leader One, this British MC released The Final Conflict in 1990, which left substantial imprints in the relatively virgin soil of UK hip hop. Raised in east London, MC Duke made his recorded debut on Music Of Life's compilation, HARD AS HELL. Later he would make his home there, releasing two relatively succesful solo albums. He picked up Hip Hop Connection magazine's 1990 award for Best British Recording Artist, and even broke the Top 75 of the UK charts with I'm Riffin'/English Rasta, before the recession cut in. Despite two solid singles for the Shut Up And Dance label, his fortunes declined. Duke has gone on to produce the '90s compilation series The Royal Family, to showcase new British rap talent. In turn he set up his own label, Bluntly Speaking Vinyl, formed in conjunction with Dan Donnely (Suburban Base Records). The initial releases included a 12-inch by Phat Skillz (essentially MC Duke) and material from a new group, IQ Procedure.