Paul C

Paul C. McKasty (September 20, 1964 – July 17, 1989), better known as Paul C, was an East coast hip hop producer, engineer and mixer in the 1980s.

McKasty began his musical career as a bassist of the pop rock band the Mandolindley Road Show. The group recorded a self titled album, released in 1985. He gave himself the middle name "Charles" after Ray Charles which he shortened to the initial "C." After the group disbanded, Paul joined the hip hop group Mikey D & the L.A. Posse. He began working as a producer and engineer for numerous hip-hop acts. Paul C's best-known work is on Ultramagnetic MC's 1988 classic debut album Critical Beatdown and the non-album singles the group released between 1988 and 1989.

Paul also worked together with the Greek Psychedelic Folk/WorldBeat act Annabouboula, for which he did engineering and mixing in the late '80s in the 1212 Studio, Queens, mixing and editing a variety of tracks for Annabouboula which were released in Europe on Virgin and BMG and eventually in the U.S. on Shanachie.

He has only one credit as a producer on the album, for the track "Give the Drummer Some," but according to group members, Paul C was responsible for the overall sound of the album. Paul preferred to work without contracts, so he often did not receive credit for his production work.

Paul C also worked for many other artists including Grandmaster Caz, Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud, Stezo, and Rahzel. He also served as a mentor of Large Professor in the use of the E-mu SP-1200. He overheard a recording session of a new local group named Simply Too Positive and offered to produce its entire demo. Simply Too Positive eventually became Organized Konfusion and its demo created a major buzz around the group.

Paul C's status began to grow and he was hired to work for higher-profile artists. He produced tracks for Eric B. & Rakim's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em. He was planning on producing more songs for the group and also for Queen Latifah, Biz Markie, and Large Professor's group Main Source.

Despite his short career, Paul C left a lasting legacy on hip-hop music.

His protégé Large Professor took over production duties on much of the music Paul C was working on before his death. He went on to become a well-known producer and emcee. Large Pro's publishing company is named Paul Sea Productions in honor of his late mentor. Other hip hop producers such as Domingo, Pete Rock, Cut Chemist and Madlib cite Paul C as an influence. Kool Keith, Pharoahe Monch, and Rahzel credit Paul C with helping them to grow as artists.

A picture of Paul C appears in the liner notes of Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and the album is dedicated to his memory (although his name is not listed in the production credits).

The liner notes of Main Source's debut album Breaking Atoms includes the inscription Paul C Lives. On Organized Konfusion's debut single "Fudge Pudge," the duo gives a shout-out that says, "Paul C to the organisms!"

Critical Beatdown was re-released in 2004 with the non-album singles that Paul produced as bonus tracks. In 2006, an unreleased album by Mikey D & the L.A. Posse was released under the title Better Late Than Never: In Memory Of Paul C.

Critical Beatdown was re-released in 2004 with the non-album singles that Paul produced as bonus tracks. In 2006, an unreleased album by Mikey D & the L.A. Posse was released under the title Better Late Than Never: In Memory Of Paul C.

In 1989, Paul C was shot to death in Rosedale, Queens, at the age of 24. His murder was featured on America's Most Wanted leading to the arrest of Derrick "Little Shine" Blair, who was later released due to lack of evidence.

Unknown date

Sport G & Mastermind Live [Single] Mixed by Harvey L. Frierson Jr. and Paul C

1985

Double Delight & DJ Slice Nice - Party Jump / Leave Me This Way [Single] Engineered & mixed by Paul C

1986

Mikey D & The LA Posse- I Get Rough / Go for It [Single] Produced & mixed by Paul C

Disco Twins & Starchild - Do That Right / There It Is! [Single] Mixed by CJ Moore & Paul C

1987

The Ultimate Choice - You Can't Front (We Will Rock You) [Single] Engineered & mixed by Paul McKasty

Mikey D & The LA Posse - My Telephone [Single] Produced by Paul McKasty

Grandmaster Caz - Casanova's Rap [Single] Produced & mixed by Cedric Miller and Paul McKastee

The Heartbeat Brothers - Can We Do This / Bring in the Bassline [Single] Produced by Paul C and Lord Kool Gee

The Heartbeat Brothers - Time to Get Paid [Single] Produced & mixed by Greg Whitley & Paul C

Marauder & the Fury - Get Loose Mother Goose / Terminator [Single] "Get Loose Mother Goose" produced by Paul C, mixed by Jazzy Jay "Terminator" produced and mixed by Paul C

The Rangers - I'm Hot / Jacks on Crack [Single] "Jacks on Crack" drums programming by Paul C

Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud - Do the James [Single] Engineered and co-mixed by Paul C. McKasty

1988

Captain G. Whiz - It's Hyped / All the Way Live [Single] Engineered by Paul McKastee

Mikey D & The LA Posse - Out of Control / Comin' in the House [Single] Produced by Paul C

Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud - I Gotta Good Thing (Remix) / Gets No Deeper (Remix) [Single] "I Gotta Good Thing" produced, programmed, arranged and mixed by Paul C. McKasty

Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud- Super - Casanova [Single] Mixed and arranged by Paul C. McKasty

Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud- Girls I Got 'Em Locked "I Gotta Good Thing" recorded and mixed by Paul C. McKasty for Paul C Productions

Ultramagnetic MCs Watch Me Now / Feelin' It [Single] "Watch Me Now" recorded & mixed by Paul C

Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown (Album) Uncredited mixing and engineering by Paul C

Live N Effect Posse - I'm Getting Physical [EP] Arranged by Dr. Shock and Paul Cee

Kev-E-Kev & AK-B - Listen to the Man [Single] Engineered & co-mixed by Paul C. McKastey

Phase n' Rhythm - Hyperactive / Brainfood (1988) [Single] Produced by Paul C

Black by Demand- Can’t Get Enough / All Rappers Give Up (1988) [Single] "Can't Get Enough" mixed by Paul C

The Mic Profesah - Bust the Format / Cry Freedom [Single] Engineered by Paul McKasty

Spicey Ham - Sex, Sex & More Sex / You Never Heard of Me & I Never Heard of You [Single] Engineered & mixed by Paul C

M.C. Tatiana - Mission to Rock / Back Up Jack [Single] Engineered by Paul McKasty

360 Degrees - Years to Build / Pelon [Single] Recorded and mixed by Paul C.

CKO and Sta La Fro- Sweat My Moves/ Down on the Corner (Single) DNA International Records/ "Produced by Paul C"

1989

Too Poetic - Poetical Terror / God Made Me Funky [Single] Mixed by Paul C., Engineered by Paul C. and J. Tinsley

MC Outloud - Clean and Sober / I'll Put a Hurten [Single] Engineered by Paul C & CJ

Kev-E-Kev & AK-B - Keep On Doin' [Single] Co-produced, engineered & mixed by Paul C. McKasty

Freak L - Line for Line / When the Pen Hits the Paper (1989) [Single] Mixed by Vandy C. & Paul C.

Ultramagnetic MC's - Give the Drummer Some / Moe Luv's Theme [Single] Produced by Paul C

Ultramagnetic M.C.'s - Travelling at the Speed of Thought / A Chorus Line [Single] Co-produced and engineered by Paul C

Main Source - Think / Atom [Single] Mixed/Engineered by Paul McKasty

Black Rock & Ron - True Feelings [Single] Hip Hop Mix by Paul C

Black Rock & Ron - Stop the World Engineered & mixed by Paul C, Jazzy Jay & DJ Doc

Stezo - Crazy Noise Mixed and engineered by Paul C

The Diabolical Biz Markie - The Biz Never Sleeps (1989) uncredited: "Thing Named Kim" and "Just a Friend" co-mixed and engineered by Paul C.

Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen (1989) "Ladies First" and "A King and Queen Creation" engineered & mixed by Paul C.

1990

Eric B. & Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em uncredited: "The Ghetto" and "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em" co-produced by Paul C, Rakim and Large Professor "Run for Cover" produced by Paul C

1991

Super Lover Cee and Casanova Rud - Romeo / Giggolo [Single] "Romeo" produced by Casanova Rud & Paul C, arranged by Paul C