Sir Mix-A-Lot Biography
Anthony Ray, 12 August 1963, USA. Seattle based MC and producer Sir Mix-A-Lot broke with "Posse On Broadway", a statement of intent released on his own label in 1986, which went on to sell over a million copies. Further crossover success arrived with rap's second great rock/rap coalition: a cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man", performed in conjunction with Seattle thrash outfit Metal Church. By the time of his second album Sir Mix-A-Lot was sampling Prince's "Batdance", and maintaining his sharp, political edge - although he remained too light-hearted and deft of touch to be considered truly gangsta. His use of unlikely sources, the synthesized pop of Devo and Kraftwerk measured against the conscious lyrics of rappers like Public Enemy, was a unique combination. However, there were some crude sexual japes on tracks like "Mack Daddy", and he was hardly shown in the best light by the pro-gun swagger of "No Rods Barred". He did enjoy another huge hit in "Baby Got Back', an American chart-topper taken from 1992's bestselling Mack Daddy album. The single's sexist lyrics triggered a backlash against the rapper, however, and by the time he released 1994"s Chief Boot Knocka his commercial profile had already begun to slide. Further albums for the American Recordings label failed to restore Sir Mix-A-Lot to the charts, although he remained active as a recording artist in the new millennium.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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