Gary Reed (born December 28, 1972), also known as Mastamind, is an American rapper from Detroit best known as a representative of the hip hop subgenre horrorcore.[1] A founding member of Natas, he was formerly signed with Reel Life Productions before forming his own label, Toxsic Records.
Mastamind | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gary Reed |
| Born | December 28, 1972 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels |
|
| Member of | Natas |
Biography
editWhile attending Osborn High School, Mastamind passed a three-song demo to fellow student, Esham, who had released the album Boomin' Words from Hell and multiple EPs on his Reel Life Productions label. Esham liked the demo, and decided to form a group with Mastamind and a friend, T-N-T.[2] The trio named the group Natas, an acronym for "Nation Ahead of Time And Space".[2][3][4]
In 1995, Mastamind released his debut solo EP, Lickkuidrano, which featured guest appearances by Esham and Dice.[5] Allmusic reviewer Jason Birchmeier wrote, "[Bitcheshate] is obviously the EP's centerpiece, as the other five tracks are all rather brief -- still, they're impressive tracks even if they are short."[5] In 2000, Mastamind released his debut album, Themindzi, which received critical acclaim in the underground music scene; Murder Dog magazine named Mastamind as 2000's "most slept on" rapper.[2] Allmusic reviewer Jason Birchmeier wrote "Just being able to sit back and listen to Mastamind craft his own unique style with confidence is engaging enough to make this a worthwhile album."[6] The album's release was followed by Mastamind's first national tour.[2] In 2010 and 2011, Mastamind performed at the 11th and 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos.[7][8] Mastamind is planning to release a new album in 2012 called Mastapeice through Toxsic Records and distributed by Lyrikal Snuff Productions. In 2013 Mastamind is to re-release his EP Lickkuidrano in an LP form. The re release will include 6 remixes from the hell razor, and 6 new tracks. Also Mastamind is to re release his first greatest hits called the Collection Plate. In 2014, he wrote a verse alongside Detroit artists Bizarre and Jeremiah Ferguson for their song "Whats Right" [9][10]
Style and influences
editAllMusic writer Jason Birchmeier said that Mastamind's rapping "owes little to any conventional style".[6]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Themindzi (2000)
- Street Valu (2003)
- Hellrazer (2006)
- Toxsic Avenger (2009)
- Ntoxsication (2011)
- The Mastapiece (2012)
- Lickkuiddrano (Re-Issue) (2013)
- The Ultimate Price (2015)
- Uranium (2016)
- House of Frankenstein Teddy Bass (2017)
- The Ultimate Warrior (Double LP) (2021)
Extended plays
edit- Lickkuiddrano (1995)
- The Orthus with Skitzo of Merk (2011)
- The Ultimate Price (2013)
- House of Frankenstein - Black Sunrise with Teddy Bass (2018)
- Sleep Tight Sweet Dreamz (2019)[11]
Mixtapes
edit- Khemicalspill (2010)
- Last+emptationOfChris+ (2010)
- Mastercard (2010)
- Doublehead Everythang (2012)
- The Orthus Reloaded with Skitzo of Merk (2012)
- Devil Eyed Dog with Skitzo of Merk (2014)
References
edit- ^ a b Reed, Gary. "BHM Interviews Mastamind TheHellrazer of Natas." Online interview. 21 Feb. 2013.[full citation needed]
- ^ a b c d Birchmeier, Jason. "Mastamind". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Biography of Natas". Allrovi. Archived from the original on 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
- ^ Hess, Mickey (2009). "Esham". Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide: Volume 1: East Coast and West Coast. ABC-CLIO. pp. 411–413. ISBN 978-0-313-34323-0.
- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "Lickkuidrano - Mastamind". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "Themindzi - Mastamind". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ DJ Clay, Sugar Slam, Awesome Dre, and Corporal Robinson (Presenters) (17 July 2010). 11th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos (internet production). Psychopathic Records. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ DJ Clay, Sugar Slam, Vanilla Ice, Mike E. Clark, and Corporal Robinson (Presenters) (2011). 12th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos (internet production). Psychopathic Records. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ Shiftzilla (2014-08-10). "Jeremiah Ferguson – "Whats Right" (Ft. Bizarre & Mastamind)". Faygoluvers. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
- ^ "Whats Right Ft. Bizarre of D12, Mastamind of Natas". Jeremiah Ferguson. May 27, 2014. Retrieved 2019-11-11 – via YouTube.
- ^ Carsten, Chad T. (2019-10-14). "Legendary Detroit Emcee Mastamind (Natas) Announces New EP "Sleep Tight Sweet Dreamz"; CD Release Party With Ganxsta Nip, Ghetto E, & Project Born". Faygoluvers. Retrieved 2019-10-27.