T-Money (born Tyrone James Kelsie) is a rapper, actor, and former MTV Video Jockey. He was a member in the group Original Concept.[1] He was present in the evolution of hip hop as one of the first artists to produce bass music using the 808 drum machine.[1][2][3] This can be found in their songs Knowledge Me and Pump That Bass.[2][4][5] The elements of bass music and vinyl spinning remain a component in mainstream hip hop music.[2][4][6]
Early life and education
editT-Money was born and raised in Westbury, New York. He attended Westbury High School, where he was on the football team. In high school, he formed a DJ group, known as Original Concept with longtime friend, Doctor Dré.[2]
He was also one of the DJ’s for the college radio station, WBAU 90.3 FM,[7] which included a host of other hip hop artists from that time, including Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, and his group member Doctor Dré. In 1996, T-Money graduated from the New York Institute of Technology[8] with a Bachelor’s degree in communications.
Original Concept
editIn 1985, T-Money, along with the other members of Original Concept, released the promo Knowledge Me, which aired on WBAU radio. T-Money wrote the lyrics, performed vocals, and co-produced the piece with Doctor Dré and Eric McIntosh.[9] After hearing the song, Rick Rubin signed the group to Def Jam Recordings.[1] Original Concept was one of the first of many artists to sign with Def Jam Recordings.[1] Their song Can You Feel It? went number #1 on Miami Radio in 1985.[5] In 1988, their album Straight from the Basement of Kooley High[10] was released by the label. Their song "Pump That Bass", is a frequently sampled song[8][11] in the hip hop genre.
Television and screen career
editYo! MTV Raps
editT-Money was a co-host and sidekick for Yo! MTV Raps with Doctor Dré and Ed Lover.[8][12][13] Yo! MTV Raps was a music variety show which included comedic sketches, music videos, live performances and appearances on the set. T-Money portrayed several other popular characters, including: Uncle Bobo Lovetree, The Nubianator, Clarence Coldwater Capsule, and Michael Jackson at Forty.
The show ran from 1988 until 1995, with the last episode including a massive rap battle, cited as a significant moment in hip hop history.[14][15]
Acting
editAfter Yo! MTV Raps, T-Money had a brief acting career, using his stage name as his credits. He starred in Juice (1992) and Who's the Man? (1993).[8]
MTV VJ
editFrom 1992 to 1993, T-Money vee-jayed on the MTV game show Lip Service, with host Jay Mohr.[16] During T-Money’s time on the show Lip Service won the CableACE Award in the game show category.[17]
Other ventures
editIn 2020, T-Money reunited with Ed Lover and Doctor Dré for Yo! Just Say Vote.[18]
Currently, T-Money is an advisor with the Hip-Hop Education Center.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label (First ed.). Rizzoli New York (published 2011). October 11, 2022. p. 55. ISBN 978-0847833719.
- ^ a b c d Larkin, Colin, ed. (1998). The Virgin encyclopedia of dance music: based on The encyclopedia of popular music (1. publ ed.). London: Virgin [u.a.] ISBN 978-0-7535-0252-5.
- ^ LLC, SPIN Media (1988). SPIN MAGAZINE. SPIN Media LLC. p. 109.
- ^ a b Charnas, Dan (2011). The big payback: the history of the business of hip-hop (First New American Trade Paperback Library printing ed.). New York: New American Library. ISBN 978-0-451-23478-0.
- ^ a b LLC, SPIN Media (1989). SPIN MAGAZINE. SPIN Media LLC. p. 76.
- ^ Coddington, Amy (2023-09-26). How Hip Hop Became Hit Pop: Radio, Rap, and Race. Univ of California Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-520-38392-0.
- ^ "The Operating Room | Hip-Hop Radio Archive". hiphopradioarchive.org. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ a b c d Daniels, Dawn Marie (2003). Souls of my brothers : Black men break their silence, tell their truths, and heal our spirits. New York: Penguin Publishing Group. pp. 237–238. ISBN 978-0452284609.
- ^ "Tyrone James Kelsie Songwriter Index". ASCAP Songwriter Index.
- ^ Original Concept - Straight from the Basement of Kooley High! Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2024-02-23
- ^ "Original Concept Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (2018-04-18). "MTV is bringing back 'YO! MTV Raps'". CNN. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "VPR Radio: Episode 9 T-Money of Yo! MTV Raps and T450 Style & Launch Live on VPR Radio on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ Blanchet, Brenton. "Exclusive: Here's the Trailer, Premiere Date, and Guest Lineup for 'Yo! MTV Raps'". Complex. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ Summers, Juana (August 9, 2023). "How 'Yo! MTV Raps' helped mainstream hip-hop". NPR.
- ^ By (1992-02-20). "MTV NOW HAS 'LIP SERVICE' FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO LIP-SYNC". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ Herbert, Steven (1993-01-18). "HBO, 'Dream On' Big Winners in Cable Awards : Television: The cable network takes 32 of the 81 prizes in the 14th annual ACEs Disney Channel is second with 7". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Turner, Ashley (2020-10-27). "Former 'Yo! MTV Raps' Hosts Come Together for Voting Special 'Yo Just Say Vote'". Atlanta Black Star. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
- ^ "People". Hip Hop Education Center. Retrieved 2024-02-12.