Shogun Sessions - Makoto & MC Conrad 

RIP MC Conrad. Playing this one loud for you 🕊️🤍

Rest in power Conrad. You made this young American guy a forever Junglist.

R.I.P. Conrad , thanks for your amazing contribution to the world of music, and thanks for the amazing conversation we had last year , glad to have met you and your wonderful soul ❤️

MC Conrad RIP Pioneering Jungle DnB emcee MC Conrad has passed onto the ancestors at the age of 52. I wish his family and crew the very best and love and solidarity at this time. I thank Conrad for all his contributions to our Junglist culture which will live-on forever. He was still very active in the Junglist Movement and apparently had plans for performing in June onwards this year. Another great leader in Junglist has passed. When it comes to the MC culture in Junglist, Conrad was highly influential and important. Arguably, with the loss of many leaders on the mic, and the ageing and relatively tiring sound of some veterans on the mic, and despite the leadership still from people like Det, Navigator, Gen Levy, Ragga Twins and a few others, the MC culture in Jungle DnB has always kinda been disrespected and has internalised some of that disrespect in terms of the acceptance of how poor and in a way disrespectful to the culture that some are on the mic. As a young teenager getting into Jungle DnB and then by 1996 picking up the mic directly with friends which would then turn into Jungle DnB and also Garage 'crew', MC Conrad was very present and influential to us. Conrad often played with his DJ LTK Bukem, the latter developing the 'Intelligence' sound in Jungle DnB, a more ambient sound, moving away generally from the more 'Ragga Junglist' sound into a more cleaner and often more 'liquid' sound which itself would produce another category in Jungle DnB called 'Liquid', often liquid and intelligence are confused for each other and often the two sounds overlap today. There is of course the great controversy of how Intelligence and Liquid were a positive diversification in Jungle DnB but also and at the same time dynamics of white supremacy racism in catering for a more middle class white crowd and the sound aesthetics designed in that direction. All things can be true at the sametime. Being a young wannabe MC into Jungle DnB you had two basic styles that you heard: the Reggae/Ragga chat-down style which comes straight out of the Reggae sound system's of the 1980s, with many emcess coming directly out of that into Jungle like Navigator and Ragga Twins. And then you basically had a totally different MC style in Jungle of the emcees like Conrad, Dynamite and Cleveland Watkiss. The latter three didnt MC in double-time like the Reggae/Ragga style, but more half beat, more space between lyrics, sometimes even four bars between one line and the other, a more chilled and often singing style in the case of Conrad and Cleveland Watkiss. It's perhaps no coincidence that the first volumes of the Promised Land sets feature Conrad and Cleveland Watkiss. The mid 1990s saw us being massively influenced by the USA-based Hip-Hop scene that was seeing its own golden era, which itself fed into the Junglist golden era of circa 1991-2003. The MC Conrad and Dynamite's style was relatively more in that Hip-Hop direction, especially with the slower half beat riddims of the lyrics, but also with the tinge of a USA accent especially the case with Dynamite, but the collective MC culture of both styles - Ragga and half beat - created itself a new community of sound that is Junglist MCing. Me myself, my first lyrics were a mixture of both: half beat lyrics reminiscent of the Conrad style, but I would often buss into full on fast-paced riddim chat with the more Ragga-style chat. For me the two combined was the 'sweet spot', whereby you had the smoothness and clear articulation of words in the half-beat, and the hype-inducing aggressive high-paced ragga chat-down style whereby the riddims themselves in the lyrical style compliment the beautiful urban rattling-clatter-beats of the Junglist sound resulting in what I consider the greatest breakbeat and MC sound system sound when it's done in it's best form for eg the Brockie - Det - Skibba in The Fever set, or Navigator, Shabba, Det, Skibs, Flirt and Yankee on the 1996 Telepathy Step Beyond. Endless nights and days spent listening on my headphones on a tape cassette walkman or a portable cd-player (remember them?! the skips lol) to Conrad and LTJ sets in my teens into my early 20s, the spaced-out sounds of LTJ's selection with the complimentary spaced-out style of Conrad usually with heavy reverb and delay on his mic. Conrad would sing and chat in half beat, and sometimes would get a bit more hyped and chat a bit faster. It was inspiring stuff, at the same time listening to Guru and KRS, Lauryn Hill and B-Real and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill), P-Dog and Chuck D: and then putting it all together in my own way to create lyrics and skills that I am super-proud of and so much so I got back on the mic a year ago after a 20 yr(!) break. Should never have put the mic down! Thank you Conrad for being a leader on the mic. I hope those on the mic redouble their research and re-commit themselves to the best, most-informed attempts at chatting on the mic. Chatting on the mic is a great thing, something of great honour and a weighty thing that speaks to a very beautiful cultural movement of the masses: Junglist. It is something not to be violated by ignorant and anti-people chat, it's a means to love and respect, unite and uplift 'da people dem'. Study every set of Conrad from the 1990s, study EVERY SINGLE KRS, Rakim, Chuck D, Lauryn Hill/Fugees tune and album. Research, reflect, self-critique and research and reflect again all the time as you write and practice your lyrics. Keep smashing the set like Conrad did which gave us leadership in doing so. #JunglistMovement #MicrophoneFiend #SoundSystemMovement The Real MC Conrad

RIP MC CONRAD💙

RIP MC Conrad, You will be missed greatly. You were a pioneer and will remain a legend.

R.I.P. MC Conrad. Massive respect from Australia ❤

My dude, Rest in peace. You have been my childhood hero and inspiration since I was an anxious teen. You have meant more to me and the scene than you'll ever know. Hope you're slaying the D&B scene in heaven, you absolute legend.

Conrad is in my opinion is the greatest MC in DNB. He is a lyrical genius, he can sing amazing, knows when to bring up his energy with the music's , and when to rest and let the beat ride.

Rest in peace brother ❤

Vibes for days & days. Man’s gone, but won’t be forgotten in a lifetime.

still in my heart ❤ MC Conrad Thompson. R.I.P

Rest In Power Conrad❤️🕊️ thank you 🙏🏾

RIP MC CONRAD!

Without a doubt, a best DNB MC ever. He had a leaque of his own, at completly different level then anyone else. I will never forget that party in Katowice in 2004. Im still trying to snoop around my hard drives to find some audio recordings from that party. Rest in peace brother.

Rest in eternal glory MC Conrad! Your legacy will be never forgotten!

RIP brother, gone but never forgotten 🕯

Much love Conrad you brought me into Electronic music and drum and bass. Rest in piece and your music will live on forever

Came here for Conrad but stayed for Makoto! Have it.

RIP Conrad, your music will live on forever!

Makoto giving Conrad a run for his money! RIP MC Conrad you the greatest, always.

Another fallen legend. Thanks for all contributions and love to the music that has always fed so many souls emotions, great time's and formed the scene. Rip

RIP the legend, turning this up to 11 today!

Conrad sounding rhythmical and lyrical and on fire as ever, Makoto maybe the most consistently brilliant producer in the whole history of d&b and a slick DJ to boot.... props!

Look how we going on the Soul Patrol, we came to free your mind, lose your soul... ❤

Fly high Conrad! All of the love! ✨

RIP Conrad, first saw you in grimsby about 1994, proper nice guy

It’s so refreshing to hear a dj actually mix and not just young producers switching, what a set !!! Sounds like late naughtys early teens sets brilliant !!

Wow just caught on...RiP Legend.

Hey, Hedex fans. THIS is what dnb is supposed to sound like, not a cricket orgy.

Makoto and MC Conrad… Dream Team!!!

God bless you Conrad thank you for bringing me closer to my dad through this beautiful music along with your main partner LTJ hard to find the words that can resonate with the appreciation but I pray you rest in power with the most high!

Rest in peace to the absolute legend, the inspiration. There will never be another MC Conrad 🥀🕊️🖤

love how Dj Marky is there as a punter enjoying himself on the dance floor.

Conrad still the business in my opinion 💪💪💪💪

Conrad wot legend . Spent many hours at spiral tribe with him. Went on some missions with him. Acton lane. Casltemortom great times 👊

Nice to see Conrad On the mic again ..

Met this guy outside Fabric a few weeks back - I can confirm he is as lovely and mild-mannered as you'd expect // also met Bryan Gee & GQ = TOTAL geezers 😎

RIP MC Conrad. Your voice will live on forever...

Big up son, mad respect Conrad

Dammmmmmm so gud 2 hear Conrad’s voice. We need him n LTJ back together 🎉

Need a track list! 😎👍👍

Tracklist (Incomplete, please help fill in the gaps) 00:00 DJ Marky & Makoto - Ma Belle (Dub) 02:09 03:58 06:07 Makoto - Show Me 07:33 Disclosure - Higher Than Ever (D&B Edit) 09:33 Unglued - Titled 10:59 12:04 London Elektricity- Cum Dancing (Mozey Remix) 13:30 Pola & Bryson Feat, Emily Makis - Phoneline 16:00 GEST - Consentrate 17:28 Con-Natural (MC Conrad) - Lean Upwards (Makoto Remix) 19:38 DJ Marky, Quadrant & Iris - New Beginnings 21:25 DJ Marky & Makoto - Disco Zanzibar (Dub) 24:06 DJ Marky Feat, Solah - Poetry (Makoto Remix) (Dub) 27:43 29:52 Makoto - Ascender 32:45 Makoto Feat, Pete Simpson - Spread Love 34:32 35:37 Break - Another Life 37:04 Unglued - Peanut Butter Kid 38:52 Con-Natural (MC Conrad), DJ Marky & Makoto Remix - Promise Land (Dub) 41:01 L-Side (Dub) ??? 42:06 DLR & Break - Absolutely True 43:10 DJ Marky & Makoto - Another Disco Tune (Dub) 46:34 Hatiras - Spaced Invader (J Majik Remix) 47:45 Break Feat, The Late General MC Fats - Natural Way 49:11 Fred V - Glockenspiel Riddim 52:00 Makoto Feat, MC Conrad - Golden Girl (Lenzman Remix) 54:35 Makoto & Hugh Hardie - Bluebird 56:45 London Elektricity Feat, Liane Carroll - Billion Dollar Gravy (Watch The Ride Remix)

Rest In Power......1 of the Very best on the mic.....

All club venues, all concert halls... yours Sir Conrad Thompson! MC Conrad ! We all love you.. you are in our hearts and in all venues in clubs and in all concert halls.. where Drum and Bass sounds, in its best traditions! We thank you for what you have done in music for our and the new generation in this World!!!

Mc Conrad.....Second to none 💜💜💜Rip fella

Wings on your back sir FLY 😢❤

MC Conrad ❤

Rest in Peace, MC Conrad, we will forever miss you! 😞

❤😢🙏🏽 RIP MC Conrad. 1st time listening.

RIP MC Conrad! 😭 Pouring out some liq for you. Sad time for D&B fans

The problem with this video is that it ends . . . 🙃 Such vibes these guys!!🤩😍

THIS IS HOT LIKE LAVA!! 🔥🔥🔥

❤ and thank you

this drop with Disclosure track was sick!

Conrad is such a legend

here we go.... Locked in.

My hero, helped me to escape some bad places

The energy when he drops Golden Girl is spot on! 👌💥

fly high Conrad rest in peace

“ As we join at the hips like Siamese twins. “ DRS ❤️

Makoto❤❤❤ RIP MC Conrad❤❤❤❤❤

You’re sounding great guys

Rip conrad the MC of our hearts♥️

So good, takes me back to the old duo!!! Makato is a master also with majestic programming and musical taste! Much love to Conrad, i miss your soul soothing, journey creating and vibe king with all the DNB bars you could ever ask for!! Please come to Adelaide South Australia again!!!

big respect and rest in peace MC CONRAD !!! you made drum an bass so good ,thank youuu

Glad to hear Conrad’s voice again… just solid

Rip. I love at the 90'

Heartbroken to hear the news. Had the chance to see him and Bukem live 20+ years ago in Sofia. Rest in piece legend.

R.I.P. MC Conrad ❤ you will always be in my Heart! Thanks for your amazing voice ❤

Just the absolute best ever.

RIP MC CONRAD. SERBIA WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. NEVER. I AM SAD AS FUCK NOW. LOVE YOU ALL, REST IN PEACE MC CONRAD.

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for all the fantastic music (S in A Massive) 🙏

the bass drop at 30 mins was raw, 1 love conrad , the best mc in the game sine 1992

Просто бомба!!!❤ круто

Mc Conrad big in the game. Mash up a set B2B with Skibba ❤

Great set start to finish, perfect pairing too Maki & Con

Love Conrad since Progression Session with LTJ Bukem. Simply recognized unique voice and style. He always stay "Deep in our minds, deep in our souls". RIP Legend 🖖

I'm so pumped to see the man Makoto tomorrow night. Fire set as always!

2 legends

The funk soul brothers, big ups 🙌♥️

The NYC show was absolutely amazing. Thank you 👏🏾👏🏾

RIP Conrad ❤ my tears are rolling like a river 😢 simply the best. ❤ to all the dnb family. Was this the last recorded Makoto & Conrad live show? If so how fitting its a banging set and love they played their track Golden Girl last

Massive set!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

the best dnb vocalist ever,R.I.P. huge mc conrad

Big up Makoto!) Your set in Prague more then 5 years ago with Deeizm still in my mind) Happy that you still make us happy)

R.I.P from Germany many times i here you live never forget you❤❤❤

Golden Girl ❤ Makoto lenda !

one of the original voices of drum and bass ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Makoto and conrad, wow 🤩

Legendary

Makoto mixing so on point and Conrads lyrics thanks shogun for bringing this session

WOW, I used to say 4 minutes is quick 😳 Not tonight 😂😂 So excited 💥🤎✨️

Here for MC Conrad ❤❤❤ blessed 🥲

This is good but Conrad and LTJ should reunite!

Pleaaaaase come to Seattle, Makoto! I missed you several years back when you came thru Chicago! We have a small but loyal DnB following! And bring MC Conrad with you!😎😎😍😍😁😁

Caraaaaaaalho❤ saudade de ver o Conrad com o LTJ Buken, mas o Makoto também é um alienígena

I love seeing MC Conrad it's like stepping into a performance not just an MC spitting words here and there . But I agree with Makoto is DOPE to me the DUO is Makoto and DJ Marky when they collaborated its magic.

so f’n dope these 2 together wtf!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥 #MakotoMCConrad

Rockin' Gents. - One Love - Renaat R&S Records