MC Conrad

From Northampton, Conrad Thompson moved from 1980s hip-hop and electro into the early-1990s rave scene, taking the name MC Conrad as a vocalist and MC. After discovering rave culture, he brought his experience of hip-hop into jungle and drum and bass. Frost was the first DJ he MCed for. His move through hardcore, jungle and drum and bass followed his entry into rave, while his work behind the microphone grew alongside production. Under the name Con*Natural, he also worked as a producer, rather than limiting his role to MCing.

In 1991, MC Conrad and LTJ Bukem co-founded Good Looking Records, beginning a partnership that connected his vocal work with the label’s sound. Their performances and releases helped take that sound to audiences beyond the UK, and the Progression Sessions series became a key part of their work together. MC Conrad approach drew on jazz, hip-hop and soul as well as drum and bass. In discussing the album project Words 2b Heard, he spoke about working behind the scenes with musicians and singers, and making more room for other performers at the front.

Outside his work with LTJ Bukem, MC Conrad contributed vocals and lyrics to music by PFM, Adam F, Blame, Total Science, Zero T and Makoto. He also appeared as a guest MC and vocalist for PFM, Adam F, Makoto and Total Science. He set up Resonance to give emerging artists a platform, establishing the digital-first drum and bass label in 2020. His production work included the 2018 single “La Dolce Vita (The Good Life)” with L-Side, released on V Recordings. In 2022, “Fuzzy Logic”, made with Elle Mariachi and Sam Townend, came out on Untidy.

MC Conrad career spanned more than three decades, from hip-hop and electro through rave to jungle and drum and bass. His work with LTJ Bukem brought him into the centre of Good Looking Records’ activity, while his guest vocals connected him with producers including Blame and Zero T. He died on 30 April 2024, aged 52.