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MC Chris

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MC Chris
MC Chris at the Mohawk Place in Buffalo, New York, July 2024
MC Chris at the Mohawk Place in Buffalo, New York, July 2024
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Brendan Ward IV
Born (1975-09-02) September 2, 1975 (age 48)
Libertyville, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • voice actor
  • comedian
  • writer
Years active2000–present
LabelsMC Chris LLC, DC Flag
Websitemcchris.com

Christopher Brendan Ward IV (born September 2, 1975), better known by the stage name MC Chris (stylized in all lower case),[4] is an American rapper, voice actor, comedian, and writer. He is recognized for his high-pitched voice and for blending his "geek” background with a “gangsta rap” persona, leading to the popularization of the nerdcore genre originally pioneered by MC Frontalot[5]. He has released ten albums, five EPs, one re-release, and a tenth-anniversary edition of his recordings with the Lee Majors.

Early life

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Ward was born in Libertyville, Illinois. He attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[6]

Career

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Voice acting

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Ward performing in February 2008

Ward contributed to several Williams Street Studios shows on Adult Swim, with his most notable work being on Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He served as a production assistant and voiced the character MC Pee Pants in multiple episodes, including "MC Pee Pants," "Sir Loin," "The Last One," and "Little Brittle".[7] He also voiced the young Carl in episode 18.[8] Ward reprised his role as MC Pee Pants in the feature film Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters and the PlayStation 2 game Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am.

He also worked on Sealab 2021, contributing as a writer and voicing the recurring character Hesh Hepplewhite, as well as playing the twins who portray Dolphin Boy in a behind-the-scenes episode. Additionally, Ward was a production assistant and writer for The Brak Show, where he contributed to episodes such as "Brakstreet" and "Shadows of Heat," and voiced a character in "Brakstreet". He also voiced Ward Willoughby in the 2002 pilot for Evan Dorkin's Welcome to Eltingville. He further extended his contributions as a writer for Space Ghost: Coast to Coast and made a cameo in the 2003 episode "Baffler Meal."

In October 2004, he announced his resignation from Cartoon Network on his blog[9] to focus on his recording career. However, in 2018, it was revealed that his departure was also influenced by a deeply distressing experience while working on Sealab 2021. He alleged that in 2001, he was sexually assaulted by Matt Thompson, a senior figure on the show. This incident, along with ongoing harassment and resulting trauma, ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the network.[10]

After a temporary hiatus, he returned to Adult Swim in 2010 as a red Gummi bear named Gummi in Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge.[11] He continued working on the mc chris cartoon, crowdfunding part of the pilot's production,[12] and planned to collaborate with the creators of Metalocalypse for the full series. However, the show was never completed or aired on Cartoon Network, in part due to tensions stemming from the assault and unresolved issues between mc chris and Thompson. Fans would later speculate that these tensions influenced Thompson's decision to focus on other projects, leading to his co-creation and executive production of the successful series Archer instead.[13] As a result, mc chris redirected his creative efforts into music, contributing theme songs for several of the SModcast Internet Radio (S.I.R.) programs, including those for the original SModcast, Blow Hard,[14] Bagged & Boarded, and Jay & Silent Bob Get Old.

In 2018, Ward announced that the mc chris cartoon had resumed production[15]. The project was ultimately shelved due to a combination of industry challenges, including the 2021 Hollywood strikes, disruptions in streaming services, and a downturn in the streaming industry. Additionally, waning interest in Ward's music, highlighted by increasing concerns and criticisms from fans regarding his behavior and interactions[16][17][18][19], further contributed to the decision to put the mc chris cartoon on hold indefinitely.[20] [21] [22] [23]

Music

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Ward originally performed with The Lee Majors. While he is one of the artists most closely associated with the genre of nerdcore,[24][25][26] he had been hesitant to accept the nerdcore label and described his music as "a genre in and of itself".[27] as well as expressing concern over limiting himself to such a narrow audience and subject matter.[28][29] He has appeared in news stories dealing with nerd culture and nerdcore.[30] Of his nerdcore background, he said, "It's nice that a lot of folks consider me part of it. It's actually embarrassing how I used to think I was the only one playing with Star Wars toys and making music, and it just wasn't true. I have absolutely no problem with the label now."[31] Although he has collaborated with various labels in the past, including Good Charlotte's DC Flag, MC Chris primarily self-releases his music independently.[32][33]

Personal life

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In July 2012, Ward instructed security guards at his Philadelphia show to eject an audience member who had criticized his opening act, Richie Branson, on Twitter.[34] Following backlash from fans, Ward issued a video apology, and the fan received a refund, later describing the humiliation in a Reddit post.[35] The fallout had a lasting impact on Ward's career,[36][37] causing him to later confirm that he would retire from touring. A farewell tour followed.[38][39]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Life's a Bitch and I'm Her Pimp (2001)
  • Knowing Is Half the Hassle (2003)
  • Eating's Not Cheating (2004)
  • Dungeon Master of Ceremonies (2006)
  • MC Chris Is Dead (2008)
  • MC Chris Goes To Hell (2010)
  • Race Wars (2011)
  • Foreverrr (2014)
  • MC Chris Is Dreaming (2016)
  • #mcchrisisgoodmusic (2018)
  • King in Black (2024)

Children's albums

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  • Marshmellow Playground (2011)
  • Marshmellow Campground (2017)

Compilation albums

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  • The New York University 8-Track Discography 10th Anniversary Edition (2007)
  • Apple Tummy (2009)
  • Apple Lung (2012)
  • Apple Bum (2017)
  • Apple Eye (2022)

Extended plays

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  • Part Six Part One (2009)
  • Part Six Part Two (2009)
  • Part Six Part Three (2009)
  • Friends (2012)
  • Kickstape (2013)
  • Foes (2017)

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters MC Pee Pants
2008 Nerdcore for Life Himself

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2000-2005 Sealab 2021 Hesh Hepplewhite / Various / Yes Brains 19 episodes
2002 Welcome to Eltingville Ward Willoughby / Wilson Credited as Chistopher Ward
2002 The Brak Show Record Store Worker 2 episodes
2002-2015 Aqua Teen Hunger Force MC Pee Pants / Little Brittle / Sir Loin / Young Carl 6 episodes
2003 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Dancing Man Episode: "Baffler Meal"
2007 Fat Guy Stuck in Internet Gordon 2 episodes
2010 Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge Gummi
2011 Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell Episode: Pilot
2011 The Chris Gethard Show Musical Guest / Panel Episode: The Human Crane Episode

References

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  1. ^ Roa, Ray (November 26, 2019). "Nerdcore favorite mc chris returns to Tampa for Friday concert". Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via cltampa.com.
  2. ^ Elderkin, Beth (May 26, 2020). "10 Nerdcore, Nerd-Folk, and Other Geeky Artists to Add to Your Playlist". Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via io9.gizmo.com.
  3. ^ "Alex Trebek Calls Nerdcore Rap Fans 'Losers'; MC Chris and Mega Ran Respond". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  4. ^ mc chris (2003). 10-Year-Old (song). DC Flag Records. Event occurs at 3:01. mc chris, lower case, no dots, rewind.
  5. ^ Walker, Rob (August 5, 2007). "MC Chris, MC Frontalot, and the Rise of Nerdcore". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "MC Chris Comes to Hi Tone Sunday". MemphisFlyer. October 24, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "Aqua Teen Hunger Force – Episode 9: MC Pee Pants". April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009.
  8. ^ "Aqua Teen Hunger Force – Episode 18: Cybernetic Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future". March 23, 2009. Archived from the original on March 23, 2009.
  9. ^ "goth beach - so unpredictable". livejournal.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2007.
  10. ^ "Nerdcore Rapper mc chris Opens Up About Sexual Assault by Adult Swim Producer". Hornet. March 8, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "INTERVIEW: mc chris". You Sound Like A Robot. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009.
  12. ^ "The mc chris Cartoon Pitch Has Arrived". Reddit. April 2, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  13. ^ "Matt Thompson - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "SModcast #131: Limmortality". SModCo. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010.
  15. ^ Wiese, Ben (April 20, 2018). "Nerd-Rapper mc chris Talks New Album, Animation, Trauma and Fatherhood". Westword. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "It's Hard to Be a Fan Right Now". Reddit. March 29, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "He Did It Again". Reddit. June 27, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "My Last Experience with Chris". Reddit. August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  19. ^ "mc chris didn't have to fall off". Reddit. January 22, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Wiese, Ben (April 20, 2018). "Nerd-Rapper mc chris Talks New Album, Animation, Trauma and Fatherhood". Westword. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "Hollywood Strikes Continue to Disrupt Industry". The Wrap. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "How will viewers be affected by the continuing Hollywood strikes?". Euronews. July 25, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "Alex Trebek Mocks 'Losers' in Nerdcore Hip-Hop, Responds to Backlash". Variety. October 12, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  24. ^ Roa, Ray (November 26, 2019). "Nerdcore favorite mc chris returns to Tampa for Friday concert". Cltampa.com. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  25. ^ Elderkin, Beth (May 26, 2020). "10 Nerdcore, Nerd-Folk, and Other Geeky Artists to Add to Your Playlist". Io9.gizmo.com. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "Alex Trebek Calls Nerdcore Rap Fans 'Losers'; MC Chris and Mega Ran Respond". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  27. ^ Burton, Bonnie (June 25, 2007). "mc chris: Napping with Artoo". Fans. Starwars.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  28. ^ Williams, Alex (August 5, 2007). "Dungeons, Dragons and Dope Beats". Fashion & Style. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  29. ^ Miranda, Jeff (November 4, 2007). "Refrain of the nerds". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  30. ^ myspace.com/mcchris Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine MC Chris blog. August 22, 2008
  31. ^ "All The Sucker MCs Can Call Me Sire: An Interview with mc chris - Comic Book Resources". comicbookresources.com. November 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "mc chris - Eating's Not Cheating Review". Rap Reviews. February 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "mc chris – Eating's Not Cheating". Discogs. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  34. ^ Eakin, Marah (July 19, 2012). "MC Chris kicks fan out of show over a nasty tweet, cries about it". The A.V. Club.
  35. ^ "Nerdcore rapper MC Chris apologizes for kicking fan out of show". The Daily Dot. July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  36. ^ "Rapper Evicts Fan From Show Due To Tweet; Pitchforks And Apologies Follow". Forbes. July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "MC Chris Cries Over Kicking Fan Out of Concert: "It Wasn't Right, It Wasn't Cool"". E! Online. July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  38. ^ "Nerdcore legend MC Chris brings extended farewell tour back to Tampa". Creative Loafing Tampa. December 17, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  39. ^ "Nerdcore rapper MC Chris brings last tour stop to Savannah's El Rocko". Savannah Morning News. July 17, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
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