Top Cat is a UK jungle and ragga MC and producer from Manchester, also known as Tony Codrington. He works in drum and bass, dubwise and jungle, and is associated with the group Radical Stuff.

Career

Top Cat builds a career in UK urban music across MCing, production and live performance. He is credited with a 20-year career, 11 number one singles, two UK top 20 hits, and four MC of the Year awards. He is also the only MC to hold MC of the Year in both the reggae and jungle scenes at the same time.

Production and collaborations

As a producer, he makes his own tracks and works with other artists including Tenor Fly, Nerious Joseph, Baby Wayne, Simpleton and Mike Anthony. His production work wins Record of the Year at the Reggae Music Awards in 1995.

Influence and performance

Top Cat’s vocals are used in the development of the jungle scene and the speed garage scene. That involvement leads to a speed garage track entering the UK top 20 in 1997, helping to open the way for other mainstream acts. He also performs internationally, with appearances across the Far East, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

Recordings

His named recordings include Champion DJ and Cat A Log In.