Drum and bass pioneer MC Conrad dies aged 52
MC Conrad – known offstage as Conrad Thompson – has died aged 52(Picture: Instagram)
Drum and bass pioneer MC Conrad – known offstage as Conrad Thompson – has died aged 52.
Clinic Records released a statement which read: ‘We’re sorry to say that MC Conrad passed away in April 2024.
‘One of the most recognisable and best-loved voices in D&B, he leaves behind him an unmatched legacy.
‘Conrad will be deeply missed by all of us, and by all of you who were touched by his performances over the years.’
They added: ‘He is universally recognised as one of Drum & Bass’s most pioneering and respected vocal performers, delivering an electrifying show each and every time.’
No cause of death has been given.
Conrad’s voice is one of the most recognisable of the drum and bass genre
LTJ Bukem and Conrad formed a legendary musical partnership
Conrad was one of the biggest British MCs to come out of the rave scene of the 1990s.
Having moved from his native Northampton to London, Conrad evolved with the genre as he performed in warehouses, fields and clubs across the UK.
He ended up meeting young DJ called LTJ Bukem, and together they formed a legendary partnership that took the music scene by storm.
The duo established Good Looking Records in 1991, which helped popularise the drum and bass sound.
Some of his famous tracks included Words 2B Heard Meets the Western, Still You Want More and Merchant Blessings.
Alongside Bukem, Conrad appeared at London’s Ministry of Sound, California’s Coachella, Ibiza’s Space and other legendary venues, while also sharing the stage with the likes of Carl Cox, Snoop Dogg, Grandmaster Flash and Jeff Mills.
He was a genre pioneer and the music industry has flooded social media with tributes (Picture: Instagram/ therealmcconrad_)
Fans and music industry names have paid tribute online, as @Beane_Noodler took to X and wrote: ‘Sad news. As a teenager growing up in the 90’s on a diet of all things Good Looking & LTJ Bukem, MC Conrad’s voice was such a strong presence on mixtapes and records I collected.’
Friend Karis O’Hara said she’d been talking to him about working together ‘weeks ago’ before he ‘went quiet’.
‘Conrad, my friend.. we chatted weeks ago about collaborating on a track, and then he went quiet. Only to hear the devastating news today… he was kind to me, especially during Covid. Thank you for being a light, and the words & music. rip MC Conrad, you’ll be missed,’ she said.
Drum and bass label Technique Recordings paid tribute to Conrad, writing: ‘RIP MC Conrad. One of the originators and a level-setting master of the craft of lyrical D&B emceeing.’
DJ Mag’s editor-in-chief Carl Loben wrote: ‘And we’ve lost MC Conrad now – way too soon. His soulful lyrical flow in tandem with LTJ Bukem, letting the music breathe, was the antithesis to a lot of MCs at the time. Latterly getting into production & running his own label, he’ll be sorely missed. RIP’
London-based label Hospital Records described him as a ‘truly iconic and unique artist’.
‘We are devastated to hear of the passing of MC Conrad. A truly iconic and unique artist, he helped define and build the world of jungle & drum and bass music. All our love and thoughts are with his family and friends,’ they said.
@section8atl said ‘Gutted to hear the news about MC Conrad passing away. He was hugely influential to me discovering my love for Drum & Bass. I’ll cherish the time that I filled in for LTJ Bukem & had MC Conrad on for my set.’
Meanwhile, @deLaceyMusic commented: ‘RIP MC Conrad. Soundtracked my youth, stewarded thousands through the dance (including many a session at Fabric in my late-teens). An inimitable voice, who could command a room like no other.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Are you a Soaps fan? For exclusive spoilers and interviews, sign up to Metro’s Soaps newsletter