Stereo MC's

Stereo MC's are a London, England-based hip hop and alternative dance group formed in 1985. The core lineup consists of Rob Birch on vocals, Nick “The Head” Hallam on turntables and production, and Ian “Owen If” Rossiter on drums. The group also works with other performers, including DJ Cesare, backing vocalist Cath Coffey, and live singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis.

Early work and Gee Street

Rob Birch and Nick Hallam found Gee Street, a recording studio and record label, using money they are given to leave their London flat. Early on, the group travels to gigs on public transport and performs without a backing band. Their debut album, 33-45-78, appears in 1989 and is recorded on a shoestring budget with DJ Cesare, Owen If and Cath Coffey.

Breakthrough and chart success

In 1990, “Elevate My Mind” becomes the first British hip hop single to reach the United States R&B record chart. The group’s wider success follows through its association with the Jungle Brothers, which helps the album Supernatural reach the charts in the UK alternative dance scene.

Stereo MC's are best known for the 1992 single “Connected”, a transatlantic top 20 hit. That song appears on the album Connected, which also includes “Step It Up”, “Creation” and “Ground Level”. The album brings the group mainstream recognition and wins BRIT Awards for Best Group and Best Album.

Remixes, touring and later albums

The group carries out remix work for U2, PM Dawn, Queen Latifah, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Monie Love and Electronic. Further remix duties for Madonna and the Jungle Brothers follow in 1998. Madonna later uses the Stereo MC's remix of “Frozen” as the basis for the live arrangement on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.

The group is one of the few hip hop acts to play rock festivals at the time. Deep Down & Dirty appears in 2001, and the associated tour includes opening slots for the reunited Jane's Addiction. The group’s sixth studio album, Double Bubble, appears in 2008, followed by Emperor's Nightingale in 2011.