GARAGEM // Artists & DJs // MC GQ

MC GQ
EMCEE Recordings ~ UK

Since its inception back in the early 90's drum&bass has developed at a
drastic rate, yet certain themes and characteristics have remained - The
charisma, presence and distinctive sound of MC GQ is one such
characteristic MC-ing at the top of the chain for more than 15 years has
taken GQ to all the corners of the globe, seen him achieve chart success,
and even given him the opportunity to establish his very own record label
'Emcee Recordings'.

Music has been a big part of GQ's life for as long as he can remember:
whether he was listening to his Dad's records or tagging along with his
brothers soul & funk system, GQ has always been surrounded by music and
always keen to be part of it. At school GQ and friend Det (MC) would
freestyle along to beats banged out on their desks: but it was watching
his neighbour DJ Ron and DJ Hype on the TNT system that influenced him to
pick up the mic and it was with his good friend Spoony that he managed to
find his own unique sound. These were the solid foundations on which his
career was built.

GQ's involvement in music turned professional once good friend Julie
Braithwaite introduced him to Acid House in the late 80's. Tunes like Joey
Beltram's 'Acid Thunder' and 'Big Fun' got under his skin and over the
next two years GQ began to organise a whole host of parties, whilst MC-ing
and even DJ-ing at others: from Skitzophrenia at Ilford Palais to the
legendary raves at Croland Road, then down to KiKi's in Margate, and back
to Clapham Common. Weekends were a string of parties going thru from
Friday till Sunday night, rolling with the likes of Frankie Valentine, Rat
Pack, Grooverider, Mathew B, Richie Fingers, Frankie Bones, and Tony Trax
to mention just a few.

It's important to note that GQ had been in the game for close to five
years before jungle let alone drum&bass came about. AWOL was a seminal
club in establishing jungle, and it was here that GQ secured a residency
at the top of the MC world. Representing alongside DJs such as Mickey
Finn, Darren Jay, Randall, Dr S Gachet, Kenny Ken, Fabio, Frost,
Grooverider & Ron week in week out, and with the tapes being sold all over
the place, the buzz started to build and pandemonium soon followed.

It wasn't long before bookings abroad started flooding in: The AWOL tapes
established GQ's name in places he'd never been, and so he was one of the
first MCs to work in places as far away as Australia and Toronto.
Highlights included playing at the same event as Public Enemy in Toronto
with over 5,000 people holding their lighters up; being flown to a rave on
an island off the coast of Serbia and a helicopter ride to play to 2,000
people in a warehouse in Australia with Andy C.

GQ has always been a DJ's MC, seeing his role as a middle man between the
DJ and the crowd rather than constantly demanding centre stage. His
versatility is such that he has always been able to switch up to double
time and tear down a rave, or keep the crowd bubbling to a liquid set.
'It's all about reading the crowd, and adapting your style.' This approach
has meant that you are as likely to see GQ at One Nation alongside Hype as
you are to see him with Goldie at a Metalheadz session. Consistency and
adaptability have kept GQ at the top of the MC ranks for 15 years and has
made him partner to pretty much all of the top flight DJs.