English hip-hop/electronic dance group Stereo MC’s formed in Clapham, London, in 1985.
Vocalist/songwriter Rob Birch and DJ/producer Nick Hallam recorded the debut Stereo MCs’ album, 33-45-78 (1989), on a shoestring budget in 1989.
Drummer Owen If and backing vocalist Cath Coffey joined the group for the Supernatural LP (1990). The live version of Stereo MC’s also included singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis.
In 1990, Elevate My Mind was the first British hip-hop single to reach the US Billboard R&B chart, though it took an alliance with the Jungle Brothers to ensure chart success for Supernatural. Remix work for U2 and Queen Latifah followed.
Stereo MC’s enjoyed an international breakthrough top 20 hit with their 1992 single Connected, and a UK Top 20 hit with Step It Up. The album (also called Connected) won the 1994 Brit Award for Best Group and Best Album.
It took almost a decade for a follow-up album – Deep Down & Dirty (2001) – to appear.
Their sixth studio album, Double Bubble, was released in July 2008, followed by their seventh, Emperor’s Nightingale, in August 2011.
Drummer Owen If (born Ian Rossiter) died on 10 July 2022 after a long illness. He was just 63.
Nick Hallam
DJ/Producer Robert (‘Rob B’) Birch
Vocals Ian (‘Owen If’) Rossiter
Drums Cath Coffey
Vocals Andrea Bedassie
Vocals Verona Davis
Vocals
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