Marc Mac
| Marc Mac | |
|---|---|
 Marc Mac from 4hero and Visioneers by Jolo2010.jpg Marc Mac from 4hero and Visioneers, Photograph by Jolo2010 | |
| Born | London, England |
| 🏳️ Nationality | British |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | music production, pioneering EDM |
| Movement | British Electronic Dance Movement |
| 🌐 Website | https://marc4hero.bandcamp.com/ |
Search Marc Mac on Amazon.
Marc Mac, also known as Mark Anthony Clair, is a Jamaican-British DJ, broadcaster, producer, promoter, label owner and pioneer of UK electronic dance music who was influential in shaping dance music of the 1990s.[1] Marc Mac was instrumental in creating several new genres of music including Hardcore Breakbeat, UK Hardcore, Darkcore, Jungle, Drum and bass, Downtempo, Broken Beat and Nu Jazz.[2] He is one half of the group 4hero founded in partnership with collaborator Dego (also known as Dennis McFarlane) and co-founder of Reinforced Records. [3] [4][5] Marc Mac's other solo projects include The Visioneers (jazz/hip-hop), Nu Era (techno), and Nature's Plan (afro-latin).
Alternate Marc Mac aliases and name variations include Manix, M. 'Tomcat', M. Mac, M. Mack, Marc, Marc 'Manix' Mac, Marc4hero, Marc Mac (4 Hero), Marc Mac (Nu Era), Marc Mac 4Hero, Marc Marc, Marcmac, Mark Mac, Mark Mak, Markmac, Markman, Marky Mak, Mary Mac.[6]
Biography
Marc Mac was born and raised in London, England. He attended school in Harlesden, a neighbourhood in North West London known for its vibrant Caribbean culture, often dubbed as London's reggae capital.[7][1][8] Harlesden is a British music capital populated by many records shops and iconic music record companies inlcuding Starlight Records, Trojan Records, Champion Records and Jet Star. [9][10][11]
Marc Mac`s family emigrated to England from Jamaica and are part of the Windrush generation Caribbean-British legacy. His parents were very active in the community creating programming to support and advocate for local youth and their families. His family was instrumental in founding the Black Parents Movement and Black Cultural Archives in collaboration with other community members. Community leaders like historian, activist Len Garrison and British Labour Party politician, Diane Abbott could frequently be found at the Clair household. Marc Mac grew up in a household filled with music. Both of his parents were music enthusiasts with eclectic tastes ranging from reggae, lover's rock, to soul and pop. Marc Mac and his siblings grew up listening to Bob Marley, Johnny Clarke,Two Sevens Clash, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Jim Reeves gospel records and more.[12] Marc Mac has family in the U.S.A. and as such, had access to the early Hip Hop of New York City and listened to Roxanne Shanté, early Big Daddy Kane, a label called ‘Cold Chillin’, Public Enemy, Zulu Nation as well as the underground musical sounds coming from Detroit and Chicago.[13]
Sound System
Marc Mac started his career in music in sound system culture. Around 1985 or 1986 Marc Mac and his friends created several sound systems, one called Solar Zone, and the other, Midnight Lovers. The local community organising Marc Mac's family was involved with afforded him the opportunity to practice and play in the professional context of a large concert hall in Alperton near Wembley. Solar Zone eventually gathered enough of a fan base to sell tickets and perform in blues clubs (blues clubs are illegal clubs most often found in suburban neighbourhoods). Like the legendary Jamaican sound engineer/producer King Tubby, Marc Mac is a tinkerer, fascinated with all aspects of diy sound production.[14] [15] Using his school knowledge, learning as he went by watching others and studying library books, Marc Mac began experimenting with building speakers. Eventually his speaker-building practice developed into creating fully fledged mobile sound system rigs for radio sets and carnivals.
Pirate Radio: Strong Island Radio & Girls FM
In 1989, Marc Mac and collaborator Dego, founded the pirate radio station, Strong Island Radio. Strong Island Radio was based in Dollis Hill where Marc Mac and Dego, attended college.[16] Strong Island Radio pre-dates the founding of both 4hero and Reinforced Records. The name, Strong Island, was inspired by the station with the same name broadcast from Long Island, New York. Marc Mac and Iain Bardouille also played on the station, Girls FM, in the midnight slot.
4hero
In 1989, Marc Mac, Dego, Iain Bardouille and Reinforced co-founder, Gus Lawrence founded rotating musical collective, 4hero. Today 4hero consists of Marc Mac and Dego.[16]
The earliest 4hero releases were produced with Marc Mac and Gus Lawrence. As 4hero developed, Marc Mac invited Dego and Ian to join the production collective for the album release “In Rough Territory”. The earliest 4hero productions were influenced by heavy sub bass, bleeps, Detroit sounds and UK hip hop. The first 4hero album included rap.[17]
"At the time we didn't rave much, as we generally were playing out with the soundsystem from 1986 through 1990. [They were at] house parties around North West London, Notting Hill carnival, youth local centres etc. Music wise, we were mainly playing soul, boogie, electro, house, 2-step soul," recalls Marc Mac.[18]
4hero’s sound experimentations resulted in pioneering new music genres in the UK rave scene including jungle, drum 'n' bass, breakbeat hardcore, broken beat and nu jazz.[16]
Reinforced Records
Also in 1989, Marc Mac and Guy Lawrence founded the record label Reinforced Records.[19] The label featured a diverse selection of sounds including breakbeat hardcore, jungle, drum & bass and featured a roster of superstars including Goldie, Doc Scott, DJ Randall, Nookie, Tek9, Grooverider, Kemistry & Storm, Wings (aka Roni Size, Krust and Die), A Guy Called Gerald, Peshay, J Majik, Photek, 4hero, Manix and Tom & Jerry.[20] [21]
Reinforced Records was integral in pioneering the sounds of 90's British dance music scene. As the label grew, Gus took a role in the office and Ian was on the road doing distribution.
Goldie
In the early 90's Marc Mac and Dego were introduced to Goldie by his partner DJ Kemistry at the dance music club, Astoria. Goldie was first involved at Reinforced Records as A&R staff, then later started collaborating with the duo in their studio.[22]
Mr Kirk's Nightmare
In 1991 4hero released the seminal song, “Mr Kirk’s Nightmare". “Mr Kirk’s Nightmare" was the second release on a five-track EP, Combat Dancin’. This breakbeat classic track was created by 4hero, whose membership included: Iain Bardouille, Reinforced Records co-founder, Gus Lawrence, Dego and Marc Mac. This song was a pivotal track, documenting the London dance scene from the raver participants' point of view. "Mr Kirk’s Nightmare" was characterised by a rougher, grittier breakbeat sound and marked a shift from the euphoric mainstream dance music sounds.[23]
Two Pages
4hero's 1998 album Two Pages paid tribute to Black musical historical legacies, forging a new sound melding ’60s jazz, ’70s funk, ’80s techno and ’90s drum & bass to create the new genres, Nu-Jazz and Broken Beat. Two Pages won UK’s MOBO (Music of Black Origin) award. Two Pages was short-listed for the Mercury Prize.[24][25]
Discography
Albums (listed most recent to older)
- Marc Mac presents Visioneers – Def Radio - Omniverse - 2024 (6 versions)
- The Invisible Soldiers - Omniverse Recordings - 2020 (2 versions)
- Blue Tape Instrumentals - Omniverse - 2019 - (LP, Album, Ltd, Mixed)
- Red Tape Instrumentals - Omniverse - 2019 (LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mixed)
- All Power To The People - Omnniverse - 2019 (LP, Ltd)
- Generation-X - Omniverse - 2016 (LP, Album, Ltd)
- Extend The Knowledge - Omniverse - 2016 (LP, Album, Ltd, Marble Black/Grey)
- Message From Soulville - Omniverse - 2013 (2 versions)
- T.R.A.C. Prodcued by Marc Mac - The Network - BBE - 2011 (15×File, MP3, 320 kbps)
- Beats From The Network (BFTN) - Omniverse - 2009 - (15×File, MP3, 320 kbps)
- It`s Right To Be Civil - Omniverse - 2006 (3 versions)
- Marc Mac Presents Visioneers - Dirty Old Hip Hop - BBE - 2006 (5 versions)
- How About A Game of Chess? - ABB Soul - 2005 (3 versions)
Singles and EPs
- Ike`s Mood I - Omniverse Recordings - (7", Single, Ltd)
- Ja-Pan-Ah - Omniverse Recordings - 2023 (12", EP)
- Br-Azil-Ah EP - Omniverse - 2022 (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)
- Ja-Maye-Ka EP - Omniverse - 2021 (12", EP)
- Ah-Free-Ka EP - Co-operation Recordings - 2019 (2 versions)
- Marc Mac Presents Visioneers - Apache / Shaft in Africa (Addis) - BBe - 2011 (7", Ltd)
- Marc Mac presents Visioneers - Dirty Old Remix EP - BBE - 2007 (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP)
- Headspin - Twisted Funk - 2007 (12")
- Dilinja / Marc Mac Dominator (remix) Untitled - Not On Label - 2003 (Acetate, 10")
- Mark Mac* + Swift* – Shadow Boxin / Feels Good - Integral Recordings - 1997 ( 2 versions)
Compilations
- The Power Tapes (Expanded) - Omniverse - 2020 - (3 versions)
- Vintage Bruk - Omniverse - 2019 (9×File, FLAC, Album, Comp, Stereo)
- Extend The Knowledge / It`s Right To Be Civil - Omniverse - 2011 (2×CD, Comp, Ltd)
DJ Mixes
- Forgotten Treasures Mix #13 - MusicIsMySanctuary.com - 2013 (File, MP3, Mixed, 320)
- Hipology - 101 Apparel - 2012 (2 versions)
- 4hero / Marc Mac – Brazilika (An Eclectic Brazilian DJ-Mix From Marc Mac) - Far Out Recordings - 2006 (CD, Mixed)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The gentrification of jungle". Mixmag. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ↑ Chapman, Dale (April 29, 2025). "Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Paranoia and the Technological Sublime in Drum and Bass Music". Echo (published 2003). 5 (2).
- ↑ Muggs, Joe; Stevens, Brian David (2020). Bass, Mids, Tops: An Oral History of Sound System Culture. Strange Attractor Press. ISBN 978-1907222771. Search this book on
- ↑ Hermes, Will (1998-11-22). "Dance Music Enlists A New Sound: Voices". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Burgess, John (2007-01-19). "4hero, Play With the Changes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Marc Mac". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ↑ "History of Harlesden". Brent Council. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ↑ "Marc Mac (4Hero) – Windrush Stories". UK Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Brent Black Music History: A Photo Gallery Report". Black History Month 2025. 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ↑ Sigaud, J. (2020-10-13). "Black London, Harlesden Through The Lens". EDITIONS Black History Month, Magazines, Windrush 75, Newsletters & Publications©. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ↑ "Starlight Records formed (late 1970s)". www.layersoflondon.org. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ↑ "Marc Mac (4Hero) – Windrush Stories". UK Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ↑ "AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK 'MARC MAC'". Jungle Drum and Bass. 2017-01-20. Retrieved 2025-06-01.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Encyclopedia of Invisibility — King Tubby". www.encyclopediaofinvisibility.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Records, Enki's (2021-01-27). "King Tubby: Biography of the Legendary Sound Engineer & Producer". Enki's Music Records. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Shapiro, Peter (1999). The Rough Guide to Drum 'n' bass. Rough Guides. pp. 71–75. ISBN 9781858284330. Search this book on
- ↑ Steven, Colin, ed. (2020). Knowledge Magazine 25 Year Anniversary. Velocity Press. ISBN 9781913231019. Search this book on
- ↑ "Rewind: 4hero - Mr. Kirk's Nightmare · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ↑ "Reinforced Records". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ UK, Drum and Bass. "Reinforced Records Drum and Bass Label Profile | Drum & Bass UK". Drum and Bass UK. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "The History of Rock Music. 4 Hero: biography, discography, reviews, best albums, ratings". www.scaruffi.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "Mentors: How 4Hero Programmed Goldie's Software". Telekom Electronic Beats. 2016-02-26. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ Terzulli, Paul; Otchere, Eddie (2021). Who Say Reload: The Stories Behind the Classic Drum & Bass Records of the 90s. Velocity Press. pp. 14–18. ISBN 9781913231071. Search this book on
- ↑ "Music Review: 4hero - Play With The Changes". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ↑ "Solid Gold: How 4Hero's 'Two Pages' predicted the future of d&b". DJ Mag. 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
External links
This article "Marc Mac" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Marc Mac. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
