Kool Moe Dee

Mohandas Dewese (born August 8, 1962), better known by his stage name Kool Moe Dee, is an American hip hop MC prominent in the late 1970s through the early 1990s. He was one of the first rappers to earn a Grammy Award and was the first rapper to perform at the Grammys.

Career

In 1985, the Treacherous Three disbanded. After leaving the group, Kool Moe Dee attended the State University of New York at Old Westbury, where he received a degree in communications. In 1986, he went solo, releasing a self-titled album that ranked 83 on Billboard. He co-operated with the young producer Teddy Riley which contributed greatly to the new jack swing movement that would gain popularity in the years to follow.

Kool Moe Dee released his second album, How Ya Like Me Now which was his most successful album commercially, achieving platinum status. He then went on to release his third album, Knowledge Is King in 1989, which went gold.

In 1990, he performed on Quincy Jones' album Back on the Block along with fellow rappers Melle Mel, Big Daddy Kane and Ice-T. The album gained considerable critical and financial success and winning the 1991 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

In 1991, the release of his album Funke, Funke Wisdom signaled Kool Moe Dee's decline. Moe Dee himself has stated that this was his worst album. He induced his release from Jive Records in 1992. After a two-year lay off, he released his greatest hits album which regained some of his former success and acclaim. In 1994, his album Interlude was released and failed to gain Moe Dee much of his former success of the mid '80s.

In 1993, he re-united with his fellow ex members of the Treacherous Three to release the album Old School Flava on Ichiban. His last commercial release was the single "Love Love/What You Wanna Do" which was released onSpoiled Brat Entertainment inc'.

Unlike most musicians Kool Moe Dee famously rents studio time by the hour, a decision that has led to Kool Moe Dee filing for bankruptcy on three separate occasions due to his frequent tardiness.

Feud with LL Cool J

Kool Moe Dee conducted a long-running rivalry with fellow New York rapper LL Cool J. Along with other rappers such as MC Shan, Kool Moe Dee claimed that LL had stolen their rap styles. He also felt that LL was disrespecting rap pioneers such as Melle Mel and Grandmaster Caz by proclaiming that he was "rap's new grandmaster" without paying due respect to those who came before him. He challenged LL on his platinum selling album How Ya Like Me Now on the single of the same name. He also took a shot at LL by appearing on the album cover with a jeep in the background with the wheel crushing one of LL's trademark red Kangol hats. The feud persisted, with both MCs proclaiming themselves the victor.

Behind The Rhyme talk show

In 2017 he launched as executive producer and host of Behind The Rhyme, a digital talk show series featuring an unflinching interview with a hip-hop legend or current star. The premiere episode was released in June 2017 featuring hip-hop legend and front man of Public Enemy and Prophets of Rage Chuck D. The show is executive produced by industry veterans Ann Carli and Devin DeHaven, who also directs the series.

Discography

• Kool Moe Dee (1986)
• How Ya Like Me Now (1987)
• Knowledge Is King (1989)
• The Greatest Hits (1990)
• Funke, Funke Wisdom (1991)
• Interlude (1994)

^ I Despite its title, The Greatest Hits is a studio album rather than a compilation album, and is not to be confused with Kool Moe Dee's 1993 compilation album Greatest Hits.

Appeared on

• The Isley Brothers "Come Together" on the album Spend the Night (Warner Bros - 1988)
• Quincy Jones w/ Melle Mel & Big Daddy Kane & Ice-T "Back On the Block" from the album Back on the Block (Qwest Records - 1989)
• Quincy Jones w/ Ice T, Big Daddy Kane "Jazz Corner of the World" from the album Back on the Block (Qwest Records - 1989)
• Stop the Violence Movement "Self Destruction" (Jive/ RCA Records - 1989)
• HEAL w/ various artists Civilization Vs. Technology (Elektra - 1991)
• Zebrahead "Good Time" from the album Zebrahead Soundtrack (Ruffhouse - 1992)
• CB4 w/ Daddy-O & Hi-C "Rapper's Delight" CB4 Soundtrack (MCA - 1993)
• Regina Belle "Tango In Paris" from the album Passion (Columbia - 1993)
• Babydol "I Want You Back" (Miracle - 1993)
• Animaniacs Hip-Opera Christmas (Rhino - 1997)
• The Spinners "I'll Be Around" from the album At Their Best (Intersound - 1999)
• "I Go To Work" from the album Bad Boy Bill's Vocal Mix" (Jive - 1999)
• Will Smith w/ Dru Hill "Wild Wild West" from the album Willenium (Columbia - 1999)
• Pablo "Next Level" (Howlin - 2003)
• Nas w/ various artists "Where Are They Now (80's Remix)" (Ill Will Records - 2007)
• Ice-T "Darc Fight Club" EP also features "Revolution" 2009
• Macklemore & Ryan Lewis "Downtown" with Eric Nally, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz - 2015