The Criminal Minds (TCM) Part Three

Welcome to the third part of the series of articles documenting the musical achievements of Milton Keynes\Buckingham Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds. In the third chapter we will focus on the period between 1993-1994 and the groups achievements as an established Rave\Hardcore crew. To revisit the previous chapters please select one of the below links:

The Criminal Minds – Early 1990s.

By 1993 TCM had recorded and released several successful vinyl EPs that had firmly established the crew as part of the UK Rave scene of the early 1990s. TCM production coordinators Spatts and Halo had developed a signature sound and formula that contained elements of Hip Hop, Reggae and Dance music which continued to create opportunities for the collective. The TCM live experience was also accompanied by the groups vocalists MC Iceski, CMD, and Safe D. Continue reading

The Criminal Minds (TCM) Part Two

Welcome to the second part of the series of articles documenting the musical achievements of Milton Keynes\Buckingham Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds. In the second chapter we will focus on the period between 1991-1992 and the groups transition from a Hip Hop collective in to a pioneering Rave\Hardcore crew. To re-visit part one of the article please click on the below link: 

The Criminal Minds, 1992.

By 1991 TCM had firmly established themselves as a local musical force and were busy performing and promoting their debut EP “Guilty as charged“. The TCM live shows consisted of a mixture of pre released materiel but also featured new recordings and remixes with a greater presence from rap vocalists CMD and Safe D who together with MC Iceski united to form TCM‘s vocal line up. In a previous interview MC Iceski recalls one of the groups early live shows in Campbell park, Milton Keynes: Continue reading

Hysko

Hysko joined Hip Hop collective UnderCover Prophecy (UCP) as a dancer shortly after its establishment in 1991 and eventually progressed to record vocals for the collective as they began to create their early studio recordings. As the 1990s progressed Hysko also recorded, performed live, and released music with Milton Keynes Hip Hop collective True Element. The below image was taken in 1992 and pictures Hysko (3rd from right) with several other members and affiliates of UCP.

UCP – Buckingham, 1992.

UCP were primarily a graffiti collective and dance troop that performed as a pastime in and around Buckingham during the early 1990s. As the collective slowly became established DJs Trail One and Delta began to explore music production with rapper Kraze One which eventually resulted in a completed studio recording entitled “The final assault” that featured Hysko on vocals. The unreleased recording which can be heard in the below youtube video was completed in late 1992. Continue reading