eMC is a

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

crew composed of rappers

Masta Ace Duval Clear (born December 4, 1966), better known by his stage name Masta Ace, is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. A lead member of Mr. Magic's hip hop collective Juice Crew, he is best known for his guest appearance alo ...

Wordsworth William Wordsworth (7 April 177023 April 1850) was an English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with their joint publication '' Lyrical Ballads'' (1798). Wordsworth's ...

and Stricklin. Punchline was also a member, but he left the group in October, 2014.

Biography

Though not officially formed as a group until 2005, the crew came together in 2001 while touring together on Masta Ace's ''

Disposable Arts ''Disposable Arts'' is the second solo and fourth overall studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on October 16, 2001 via JCOR Entertainment. Production was handled by Domingo, Luis Tineo, Xplicit, Ayatollah, Deacon the Vill ...

'' tour. Ace described the group's formation in an interview with IllHillEast.com:

Career

In 2006, the group's first collaborative track was released online, titled "Four Brothers". eMC's first group effort, '' The Show'' was released on

iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...

on February 26, and the CD release was on March 25. A single from the album, "What It Stand For", was released in July 2007, and is available for free download on the group's MySpace page. It features production from Nicolay. On January 21, 2014, it was announced the group was signed to the newly re-founded

Penalty Entertainment Penalty is an American record label and entertainment company, founded and run by CEO Neil Levine. The company was founded in 1995 as a record label specializing in hip-hop music. The original Penalty label was acquired by its distributor, Tomm ...

, which is run under

Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...

and distributed by

RED Distribution RED Music, stylized RED MUSIC, formerly RED Distribution, LLC (Relativity Entertainment Distribution) was a Sony Music, Sony-owned sales and marketing division that merged under The Orchard (company), The Orchard in 2017. RED previously hand ...

. "Spun A Web" was their first single since the new signing, produced by David E Beats and released on February 24, 2014. It samples Coldplay's "Trouble", from their debut album ''Parachutes''. In October, 2014 Punchline left the group after many years. According to Masta Ace, Punchline "just wasn't on the same page as the three of us". On February 20, 2015, the group announced their second full-length album, ''The Tonite Show'', would be released on May 5, 2015, on M3/Penalty Entertainment/Sony Red. This was their first project as a trio.

Artist history

Masta Ace

Masta Ace (born Duval Clear,

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

) debuted in 1988 as a member of the legendary

Juice Crew The Juice Crew was an American hip hop collective made up largely of Queensbridge, New York–based artists in the mid-to-late 1980s. Founded by radio DJ Mr. Magic, and housed by Tyrone Williams' record label Cold Chillin' Records, the Juice C ...

. He released his acclaimed debut, '' Take a Look Around'', in 1990. In 1992, Ace formed the crew

Masta Ace Incorporated Masta Ace Incorporated was an American Hip hop music, hip hop crew formed by rapper Masta Ace. History The group, also known as ''The I.N.C.'', included Eyceurokk (Eyce, Uneek and Rokkdiesel), Lord Digga, Paula Perry and R&B vocalist Leschea. ...

, and released two albums with the group, 1993's '' SlaughtaHouse'', and 1995's ''

Sittin' on Chrome ''Sittin' on Chrome'' is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group Masta Ace Incorporated and the third album by Brooklyn-based rapper Masta Ace. It was released on May 2, 1995, through Delicious Vinyl. The recording sessions ...

''. Save for a number of vinyl singles, Ace was missing from the hip hop scene between 1996 and 2000, until returning with his acclaimed concept album ''

'', which featured guest appearances from Strick, Punchline and Wordsworth. Ace returned again in 2004 with another acclaimed concept album, '' A Long Hot Summer'', which also featured guest spots from his fellow eMC members.

Punchline & Wordsworth

Punchline (born in Lower East Side, New York) and Wordsworth (born in Brooklyn, New York) originally gained popularity through their appearances at the Lyricist Lounge & All That! open mic events. The two debuted as Punch-N-Words in 1998, making a number of guest appearances that year, dropping in on

A Tribe Called Quest A Tribe Called Quest was an American Hip hop music, hip hop group formed in Queens, New York City, in 1985,Q-Tip< ...

's ''

The Love Movement ''The Love Movement'' is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and their last album released during group member Phife Dawg's lifetime. Released on September 29, 1998, by Jive Records, it is a concept album, explor ...

'' album,

Mos Def Yasiin Bey ( ; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def ( ), is an American rapper, singer, and actor. A prominent figure in conscious hip hop, he is recognized for his use of wordplay and commentary on social an ...

Talib Kweli Talib Kweli Greene (; born October 3, 1975) is an American rapper. He first earned recognition through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's music ...

's '' Black Star'' album, and

Rawkus Records Rawkus Records (or Rawkus Entertainment) is an American hip hop record label, owned by James Murdoch, known for starting the careers of many rappers. Rawkus started in 1995 with releases in hip-hop, drum and bass and fun-dustrial (Dystopia One) ...

' '' Lyricist Lounge, Volume One'' compilation. The duo released their self-titled debut ''

Punch N' Words EP ''Punch N' Words'' is the only collaborative extended play by American rappers Punchline and Wordsworth. It was released on November 7, 2000 via Mona Hip Hop. Recording sessions took place at The Cutting Room and D&D Studios in New York City. P ...

'' in 2000 on Mona Records, then continued their careers with guest appearances and solo efforts. Wordsworth released his solo debut album, ''

Mirror Music ''Mirror Music'' is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Wordsworth. It was released by Halftooth Records in 2004. Title Regarding the album's title, Wordsworth commented: "I felt the songs reflected the emotion, time or period that eit ...

'', in 2004 to positive reviews. Punchline left the group in 2014.

Strick

Strick (also known as Stricklin, born in

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

) made his official debut in 1999, when he signed to rap label

Tommy Boy Records Tommy Boy Records is an American independent record label and multimedia brand founded in 1981 by Tom Silverman. The label is credited with helping and launching the music careers of Queen Latifah, Amber, Afrika Bambaataa, Stetsasonic, Digita ...

. Strick was featured alongside

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

Royce Da 5'9" Ryan Daniel Montgomery (born July 5, 1977), known professionally as Royce da 5'9" (or simply Royce 5'9"), is an American rapper. Best known for his association with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem, they became acquainted in 1997 and formed the hi ...

on Tommy Boy's Black Label, and the two collaborated on the track "It's Over" from the ''Hip Hop 101'' compilation. After his deal with Tommy Boy fell through, Strick began making numerous appearances on underground mixtapes, one which attracted the attention of Masta Ace, who enlisted Strick for an appearance on his 2001 album ''Disposable Arts''. Strick then joined Ace for the album's supportive tour. He also appeared on Ace's 2004 album ''A Long Hot Summer'', and was featured on that album's supportive tour as well.

Discography

Albums *'' The Show'' (2008) *''The Tonite Show'' (2015) EPs *''The Turning Point EP'' (2014)

Past collaborations

* "The Booth", Strick (produced by Masta Ace) (from "Conflict" b/w "The Booth" 12", 2000) * "Block Episode", Masta Ace featuring Punch & Words (from ''

'', 2001) * "I Like Dat", Masta Ace featuring Punch & Words (from ''Disposable Arts'', 2001) * "Something's Wrong", Masta Ace featuring Strick &

Young Zee Dewayne Battle (born December 24, 1970), known professionally as Young Zee, is an American underground hip hop emcee. He is a member of the Outsidaz, alongside Pacewon and Rah Digga. Career Outsidaz The Outsidaz, a large hip hop crew that be ...

(from ''Disposable Arts'', 2001) * "Unfriendly Game", Masta Ace featuring Strick (from ''Disposable Arts'', 2001) * "Things On My Mind" Punchline & Wordsworth (from "Game Over II", 2001) * "Family 1st". Punchline, Apocalypse & Masta Ace (from "Family 1st" 12", 2003) * "F.A.Y.", Masta Ace featuring Strick (from '' A Long Hot Summer'', 2004) * "Travelocity", Masta Ace featuring Punch & Words (from ''A Long Hot Summer'', 2004) * "Not Fair". Wordsworth featuring Punchline (from ''

'', 2004) * "Evol" Wordsworth featuring Masta Ace & Justin Time (from ''Mirror Music'', 2004) * "The Hitman" Masta Ace & Strick (from "The Hitman" 12", 2006) * "Get U Awn" Chords featuring Masta Ace & Punchline (Garden Around The Mansion´´2006)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emc Hip-hop groups from New York City Musical groups established in 1998 American musical quartets 1998 establishments in New York (state)