C-Block

C-Block

C-Block is a European hip-hop and rap act formed by American soldiers who come to Germany. The project centres on Red Dogg, also named George Anthony Joseph, and Mr.P, also known as P.O.P. or James White, who are the most visible members in the group’s early period. Theresa “Misty” Baltimore and the rapper-singer Goldie also belong to the group and appear on many of its recordings.

Early releases and breakthrough

The group’s first single is “Skake dat azz”, recorded with rapper A.K.-S.W.I.F.T. It appears in early 1996 and gets strong club and hip-hop airplay. C-Block’s wider breakthrough follows with “So Strung Out”, which reaches the top five on Viva Top100 and enters the top ten in several European countries. “Time Is Tickin’ Away” follows and matches or exceeds that success, becoming one of the group’s best-known tracks.

The debut album, General Population, includes those singles as well as “Summertime” and other tracks such as “Everything’s Good”, “Being Raised” and “Round N Round”. The release becomes a major reference point in European hip-hop and rap. After “Summertime”, Mr.P begins to focus on a solo career and leaves the group after disputes with Red Dogg.

Line-up changes and later singles

After Mr.P’s departure, C-Block continues as Red Dogg, Misty and Goldie. The single “Eternal Grace” follows and reaches the Viva top ten. In 1998 the group issues “Broken Wings”, a cover of the Mr. Mister song, before releasing the album Keepin’ It Real. That album leans more towards hip-hop while keeping the group’s established style. Tracks mentioned from it include “Bounce”, “Keepin It Real”, “Motherless Child”, “We Believe” and “You Win Again”. The album performs well in central and eastern Europe, including a number one position in Poland.

Later, Mr.P returns for “Keep Movin’”, joined by a new singer, Jeanine Love, while Red Dogg, Goldie and Misty are absent from that line-up. The single appears in summer 1999 and gets extensive club play, though it does not repeat the earlier commercial results. In summer 2000, C-Block releases “The Future Is So bright”, and a planned album called Changes does not materialise. After that, activity around the group becomes quiet.

Later mention

Red Dogg is later reported to have been shot in September 2001 and seriously injured, leaving him in a wheelchair with some memory loss. Later information also notes that he remarries his former wife and lives with her, their daughter and granddaughter. In 2010, Misty and Goldie appear on the project Euro-Rap-Revival, which features 40 euro-rap artists with new production and songs.