Young M.C.
b. Marvin Young, 10 May 1967, England, but raised in Queens, New York City. Young went to college in California, earning a degree in economics from the University Of South California, where he also wrote material for Tone Loc (including co-writing credits on his big hits Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina). His solo work was similarly within the framework of mainstream rap, a highlight being the Top 10 hit, Bust A Move— winner of the Grammy for Best Rap Record. In its wake he started to turn up on television screens advertising Pepsi soft drinks. He cited ‘musical and ethical differences’ as the reason for his move from Delicious Vinyl in the '90s, though he remained with 4th & Broadway/ Island in the UK. By the time he became employed by Capitol, many critics pointed out that his material was becoming both overwrought and overproduced. Unlike many rappers, Young MC brought a post-AIDS conscience to his sexual boasts, as demonstrated on the second album's Keep It In Your Trousers. He re-emerged in 1993 with the club hit Know How, a distillation of the Shaft theme, produced by the Dust Brothers—aka his old friends from Delicious.