MC Chris
MC Chris | |
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![]() MC Chris at the Mohawk Place in Buffalo, New York, July 2024 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Christopher Brendan Ward IV |
Born | Libertyville, Illinois, U.S. | September 2, 1975
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | MC Chris LLC, DC Flag |
Website | mcchris |
Christopher Brendan Ward IV (born September 2, 1975), better known by the stage name MC Chris (stylized in all lower case),[4] is an American rapper, voice actor, comedian, and writer. He is recognized for his high-pitched voice and for blending his "geek” background with a “gangsta rap” persona, contributing to the popularization of the nerdcore genre.[5] He has released ten albums, five EPs, one re-release, and a tenth-anniversary edition of his recordings with the Lee Majors.
Early life
[edit]Ward was born in Libertyville, Illinois. He attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[6]
Career
[edit]Voice acting
[edit]
Ward contributed to several Williams Street Studios shows on Adult Swim, with his most notable work being on Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He served as a production assistant and voiced the character MC Pee Pants in multiple episodes, including "MC Pee Pants," "Sir Loin," "The Last One," and "Little Brittle".[7] He also voiced the young Carl in episode 18.[8] Ward reprised his role as MC Pee Pants in the feature film Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters and the PlayStation 2 game Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am.
He also worked on Sealab 2021, contributing as a writer and voicing the recurring character Hesh Hepplewhite, as well as playing the twins who portray Dolphin Boy in a behind-the-scenes episode. Additionally, Ward was a production assistant and writer for The Brak Show, where he contributed to episodes such as "Brakstreet" and "Shadows of Heat," and voiced a character in "Brakstreet". He also voiced Ward Willoughby in the 2002 pilot for Evan Dorkin's Welcome to Eltingville. He further extended his contributions as a writer for Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and made a cameo in the 2003 episode "Baffler Meal."
In October 2004, he announced he would leave Cartoon Network to begin touring and focus on his music full-time.[9]
After a 6 year hiatus, he returned to Adult Swim in 2010 as a red Gummi bear named Gummi in Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge[10] and, in 2013, began working on the mc chris cartoon, crowdfunding part of the pilot's production. A short pitch animation was made available online, but a full pilot was never completed.[11]
Ward continued to focus on music, contributing theme songs for several of the SModcast Internet Radio (S.I.R.) programs, including those for the original SModcast, Blow Hard,[12] Bagged & Boarded, and Jay & Silent Bob Get Old.
In 2018, Ward announced that the mc chris cartoon had resumed production.[13] The project was ultimately shelved due to a combination of industry challenges, including the 2021 Hollywood strikes, disruptions in streaming services, and a downturn in the streaming industry. Additionally, waning interest in Ward's music, highlighted by increasing concerns and criticisms from fans regarding his behavior and interactions,[14][15][16][17] further contributed to the decision to put the mc chris cartoon on hold indefinitely.[18] [19] [20] [21]
Music
[edit]Ward originally performed with The Lee Majors. While he is one of the artists most closely associated with the genre of nerdcore,[22][23][24] he had been hesitant to accept the nerdcore label and described his music as "a genre in and of itself".[25] as well as expressing concern over limiting himself to such a narrow audience and subject matter.[26][27] He has appeared in news stories dealing with nerd culture and nerdcore.[28] Of his nerdcore background, he said, "It's nice that a lot of folks consider me part of it. It's actually embarrassing how I used to think I was the only one playing with Star Wars toys and making music, and it just wasn't true. I have absolutely no problem with the label now."[29] Although he has collaborated with various labels in the past, including Good Charlotte's DC Flag, MC Chris primarily self-releases his music independently.[30][31]
Personal life
[edit]In July 2012, Ward instructed security guards at his Philadelphia show to eject an audience member who had criticized his opening act, Richie Branson, on Twitter.[32] Following backlash from fans, Ward issued a video apology, and the fan received a refund, later describing the humiliation in a Reddit post.[33] The fallout had a lasting impact on Ward's career,[34][35] causing him to later confirm that he would retire from touring. A farewell tour followed.[36][37]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Life's a Bitch and I'm Her Pimp (2001)
- Knowing Is Half the Hassle (2003)
- Eating's Not Cheating (2004)
- Dungeon Master of Ceremonies (2006)
- MC Chris Is Dead (2008)
- MC Chris Goes To Hell (2010)
- Race Wars (2011)
- Foreverrr (2014)
- MC Chris Is Dreaming (2016)
- #mcchrisisgoodmusic (2018)
- King in Black (2025)
Children's albums
[edit]- Marshmellow Playground (2011)
- Marshmellow Campground (2017)
Compilation albums
[edit]- The New York University 8-Track Discography 10th Anniversary Edition (2007)
- Apple Tummy (2009)
- Apple Lung (2012)
- Apple Bum (2017)
- Apple Eye (2022)
Extended plays
[edit]- Part Six Part One (2009)
- Part Six Part Two (2009)
- Part Six Part Three (2009)
- Friends (2012)
- Kickstape (2013)
- Foes (2017)
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters | MC Pee Pants | |
2008 | Nerdcore for Life | Himself |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000-2005 | Sealab 2021 | Hesh Hepplewhite / Various / Yes Brains | 19 episodes |
2002 | Welcome to Eltingville | Ward Willoughby / Wilson | Credited as Chistopher Ward |
2002 | The Brak Show | Record Store Worker | 2 episodes |
2002-2015 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | MC Pee Pants / Little Brittle / Sir Loin / Young Carl | 6 episodes |
2003 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Dancing Man | Episode: "Baffler Meal" |
2007 | Fat Guy Stuck in Internet | Gordon | 2 episodes |
2010 | Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge | Gummi | |
2011 | Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell | Episode: Pilot | |
2011 | The Chris Gethard Show | Musical Guest / Panel | Episode: The Human Crane Episode |
References
[edit]- ^ Roa, Ray (November 26, 2019). "Nerdcore favorite mc chris returns to Tampa for Friday concert". Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via cltampa.com.
- ^ Elderkin, Beth (May 26, 2020). "10 Nerdcore, Nerd-Folk, and Other Geeky Artists to Add to Your Playlist". Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via io9.gizmo.com.
- ^ "Alex Trebek Calls Nerdcore Rap Fans 'Losers'; MC Chris and Mega Ran Respond". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ mc chris (2003). 10-Year-Old (song). DC Flag Records. Event occurs at 3:01.
mc chris, lower case, no dots, rewind.
- ^ Walker, Rob (August 5, 2007). "MC Chris, MC Frontalot, and the Rise of Nerdcore". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "MC Chris Comes to Hi Tone Sunday". MemphisFlyer. October 24, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ "Aqua Teen Hunger Force – Episode 9: MC Pee Pants". April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009.
- ^ "Aqua Teen Hunger Force – Episode 18: Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future". March 23, 2009. Archived from the original on March 23, 2009.
- ^ "goth beach - so unpredictable". livejournal.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: mc chris". You Sound Like A Robot. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009.
- ^ "The mc chris Cartoon Pitch Has Arrived". Reddit. April 2, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "SModcast #131: Limmortality". SModCo. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010.
- ^ Wiese, Ben (April 20, 2018). "Nerd-Rapper mc chris Talks New Album, Animation, Trauma and Fatherhood". Westword. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "It's Hard to Be a Fan Right Now". Reddit. March 29, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "He Did It Again". Reddit. June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "My Last Experience with Chris". Reddit. August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "mc chris didn't have to fall off". Reddit. January 22, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Wiese, Ben (April 20, 2018). "Nerd-Rapper mc chris Talks New Album, Animation, Trauma and Fatherhood". Westword. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Hollywood Strikes Continue to Disrupt Industry". The Wrap. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "How will viewers be affected by the continuing Hollywood strikes?". Euronews. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Alex Trebek Mocks 'Losers' in Nerdcore Hip-Hop, Responds to Backlash". Variety. October 12, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Roa, Ray (November 26, 2019). "Nerdcore favorite mc chris returns to Tampa for Friday concert". Cltampa.com. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ Elderkin, Beth (May 26, 2020). "10 Nerdcore, Nerd-Folk, and Other Geeky Artists to Add to Your Playlist". Io9.gizmo.com. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "Alex Trebek Calls Nerdcore Rap Fans 'Losers'; MC Chris and Mega Ran Respond". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ Burton, Bonnie (June 25, 2007). "mc chris: Napping with Artoo". Fans. Starwars.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
- ^ Williams, Alex (August 5, 2007). "Dungeons, Dragons and Dope Beats". Fashion & Style. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ Miranda, Jeff (November 4, 2007). "Refrain of the nerds". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ myspace.com/mcchris Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine MC Chris blog. August 22, 2008
- ^ "All The Sucker MCs Can Call Me Sire: An Interview with mc chris - Comic Book Resources". comicbookresources.com. November 4, 2023.
- ^ "mc chris - Eating's Not Cheating Review". Rap Reviews. February 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "mc chris – Eating's Not Cheating". Discogs. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Eakin, Marah (July 19, 2012). "MC Chris kicks fan out of show over a nasty tweet, cries about it". The A.V. Club.
- ^ "Nerdcore rapper MC Chris apologizes for kicking fan out of show". The Daily Dot. July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Rapper Evicts Fan From Show Due To Tweet; Pitchforks And Apologies Follow". Forbes. July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "MC Chris Cries Over Kicking Fan Out of Concert: "It Wasn't Right, It Wasn't Cool"". E! Online. July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Nerdcore legend MC Chris brings extended farewell tour back to Tampa". Creative Loafing Tampa. December 17, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Nerdcore rapper MC Chris brings last tour stop to Savannah's El Rocko". Savannah Morning News. July 17, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 1975 births
- 21st-century American comedians
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- Living people
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- People with lower case names and pseudonyms