MC Shadow

Kory Neely, better known as MC Shadow, is a Canadian rapper, actor, music & film producer and author who achieved fame for being the first white rapper in Canadian music history (second only to the Beastie Boys internationally). His group Get Loose Crew was the first Canadian rap group to produce a mini LP and the first to effect international sales. Neely also had a brief solo career and worked with R&B singer Kaye Sergeant after The Get Loose Crew split ways in 1990. In 2015, he revived his music career with the release of new music and an accompanying three part video project released in both a commercial and short film version dubbed ‘the trilogy’.

In early 1984, the Def Force Sound Crew, consisting of band members Chris Jackson (Dj JEL), Len Grant-Stuart (Mix-Master Len) and Kory Neely (originally named "White Shadow"), was formed and played (DJ'd) at their local junior high school, Valley Park Junior High, and at community center dances in Flemingdon Park, Toronto. After defeating local artist MC Rumble during rap battle at an underground party, Neely decided to aim for a recording contract and international recognition.

In 1987 both Neely and the group changed the names: the former to "MC Shadow", the latter to "Get Loose Crew". The act began self-producing demo tapes played on Ryerson University (then Ryerson College) Radio Station CKLN-FM.

With no Canadian labels showing an interest in the group, they decided to begin their own label, East Park Productions, eventually signing a global distribution agreement with Electric Distribution in Markham, Ontario.

The Crew, with Neely as the frontman, recorded the first rap album in Canadian history in 1988, though the pres was considered a "mini-LP" because it only featured four tracks with accompanying instrumentals. The single "Wannabe" reached number 5 on urban chart CHEER in May 1988.

In June 1988 the group was featured in STREETSOUND magazine, a national publication. Neely commented on the early Canadian rap scene and the importance of the group's performances:

"When people come to a show, they’re critical. They come to see a performance. It’s got to be rockin’. From beginning to end. It has to be an organized performance, unlike four years ago, when everybody would just jam. No fighting, no chain snatching, no B-Boy destruction".

The record was included in a list of most collectible Toronto albums of all time.

Neely became the first Canadian rapper to be included in a multi-track CD compilation when his collaboration with Kaye Sergeant, "What I'm Sayin'", was featured on Mega Dance Volume 1 in 1991. This cut also received the FACTOR new talent demo award in May of that year.

In 1994 a second multi-track CD compilation, America’s Most Wanted - Freestyle 94, contained "Do a Little Dance" (also featuring Kaye Sergant). The duo completed several unreleased projects and after a several tours with Self-Defence and former Get Loose Crew members, the duo decided to part ways.

In March 2010, more than 20 years after the monumental release of Canada's first internationally released hip hop record, The Toronto Free Gallery held an exhibit called T-Dot Pioneers:An Exploration of Toronto Hip Hop History and Culture. The exhibit featured items from the birth of Toronto hip hop which included the Get Loose Crew Album, old photographs, posters and awards – including theJuno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year won by founding Get Loose Crew member MC B in his solo career.The exhibit coincided with the launch of a new Canadian hip hop website, Northside Hip Hop, which featured the Neely (and his former band) as pioneers in Canadian Hip Hop reuniting Chris Jackson (now Chris Gotrocks) and Carl Badwa (now Don Carlito formerly MC B & B-Kool) and Neely.

On the foundation of the success of the T-Dot Pioneers Exhibit, The CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) (a concept proposed by Chris Jackson) organized a live recorded show commemorating Hip Hop History hosted in the prestigious Glenn Gould Studio at CBC in Toronto.

Neely was reunited with several fellow artists and co-founders of Canadian Hip Hop Music as part of an exclusive concert. The eventgleaned a summit paying respect to Canadian Hip Hop by documenting its history through performance over several days.While Neely did not reunite with former band mates for a performance, his album was displayed on the iconic Glenn Gould Wall and showcaseand recognition by summit host/artist Buck 65 during the show.The event featured a red carpet and other items such photographs, flyers, vinyl cassettes and other paraphernalia now considered artifacts.

Teaming with former Capitol Records artist and contributing producer for Canadian Idol Frank 'Tekniq' Morell, the duo produced 'Resurrection' the first of 3 singles and an album announced for release in 2016. Neely revived the dormant indie label East Park Productions for the launch of the project.

Resurrection Video Project

East Park Productions and Neely formed a partnership with Manee Osman Films in 2014. Osman, a Toronto-basedfilm and music video director, attained notoriety for a promotional video he filmed for Ciroc vodka, owned by Sean 'Diddy' Coombs . Coombs communicated his support for the work via social media.

Osman & Neely developed a unique and original video concept for each of the music singles releases in the form of a Trilogy, featuring 'Resurrection' as the first instalment. The undertaking is a first of its kind in any music genre, with each video presenting an individual story of a group of characters along a continuous single storyline, centred around four friends, their execution of a bank heist and inevitable mystery and betrayal. The project released in 2 versions; a Director's Cut or short film version and an edited version for commercial airplay.

The project features international model Melissa Night, Toronto actors Paul Lamb & Eric Parris with Miss World Canada 2014 delegate Yarine Pernia. Neely portrays a lead character and also served as Producer on the project.The first part was filmed in several locations in May & June 2015 with parts 2 and 3 scheduled for later in 2015.

• He has collaborated with producer and Juno Awards nominee Frank ‘Tekniq’ Morellfrom the Bomb Shelta Association.
• He has collaborated with artist Sarah Beatty 2012 Hamilton Music Award nominee for Roots Recording of the Year.
• He has collaborated with Juno Awards winner, artist Nelson 'DEDOS' Garciaof Nomadic Alternatives and a founding member of Canadian Rap group the RASCALZ, commissioned to do the artwork covers for singles 'Resurrection', 'Lost' and 'Lullaby of Pain'.

In 1987, he was featured with his group Get Loose Crew on a CBC comedy talk show Switchback hosted by comedian Eric Tunney. He was interviewed by Tunney and performed their albums title track. The episode also featured prominent Toronto Radio personality Chris Sheppard (CFNY102.1Radio FM) serving as a co-host and DJ.

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles