The 57th Dynasty

1996–1998: FasFwd Entertainments

Marcus "Paradise" Dawes returned to the UK after spending 18 years in the United States and was introduced by neo-soul singer Stewy "Big" Love to producer/label owner Charlie Parker. This introduction would blossom into the artistic outlet that eventually became The 57th Dynasty. Paradise honed his style of "prison poetry" over Parker's pensive soundscapes, creating the singles "M.O.N.E.Y.", "Et Tu", "Boomerang" and "Crown Jewels". The successful rapper/producer combo performed live throughout the UK and Europe including regular radio appearances on Choice FM's Friday Night Flavas, hosted by DJ 279. The duo created a consistent buzz and following for themselves with chart successes and rave reviews. Parker's home in Brixton served as label headquarters and as a collaborative artist studio for rappers, reggae artists, singers and musicians. Mr. Green (Baby Hulk), a friends of Bionic of London Posse, was a regular artist in residence and the first to be released on Parker's independent FAS FWD record label.

Paradise sought to form a super group by enlisting rappers from the local Brixton area. Between 1996 and 1999, the highest calibre of artists were chosen to assemble The FAS FWD ALL-STARS. Their official release, No Way, came in 1997 on the double AA-side entitled "M.O.N.E.Y. / No Way" and featured Stretch Lexus, Big Love, Thunda Storm, Paradise, Felony, and Mr. Green produced by Charlie Parker (aka Four:Four). Blues & Soul wrote that "both tracks possess an incredible stamp of authenticity as producer Four:Four turns up the beats. (Rating: 8)". Trace Magazine Hip hop writer Disorda charted the debut at number 9 and included it on his compilation album, UK Hustlerz Volume 3.

The FAS FWD ALL-STARS performed regularly at the local Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, and at numerous hip hop showcases and venues across London including Subterania, Jonzi D's Apricot Jam, DJ 279's Flava of Da Month at Borderline and Mudlumz. The youngest members of Paradise's ensemble formed Juvenile Ruckasz (Lil Monsta, Dark Troopa, 50:50) and were showcased on dubplate specials for Jamaica's Stone Love and King Addis Sound Systems. When Mr. Green brought Bristol rapper Oshin (Da Nomad) to the FAS FWD studio, the eight-piece crew was completed.

The name 57th Dynasty came about when the artists decided the door number of their headquarters should replace "FAS FWD" – allowing for a clear distinction between the record label and the band – and "ALL-STARS" should be replaced with "Dynasty". The group's triangular logo was created by Paradise, and Oshin was instrumental in circulating the group's debut mixtape, Boro 6 (the name given to Brixton by Paradise, who likened the area to a sixth borough of New York City), outside London.

1999–2001: The Spoken Word

The Spoken Word album was recorded primarily at Milos Studios, Hoxton Square. The highly acclaimed single, "Lil Bro", a duet between Paradise and thirteen-year-old Lil Monsta, was the final track recorded – in one take – and the first track released. The group's sold-out album launch party at Subterania, Ladbroke Grove included notable attendees such as New York's Hot 97 FM DJ and radio personality, Mister Cee, London Hip Hop Festival founder Kentake Chinyelu-Hope, Kiss FM DJs Big Ted & Shortee Blitz, DJ 279 and various members of Bury Crew/Mudlumz. The 57th Dynasty launched their merchandise imprint, Double F Paraphernalia, that same night, selling FAS FWD Entertainments T-shirts and 57th Dynasty medallions alongside limited-edition vinyl singles, EPs, LPs and CDs. After reaching a distribution deal with SRD in 1999, The 57th Dynasty shot their first independent music video, "Love of Hip Hop." Produced and directed by Merlin Massara, the video marked another UK milestone, being quickly picked up by MTV Europe and broadcast weekly, and becoming the most requested video on Yo! MTV Raps before the MTV Base takeover. A quote from The Juvenile Ruckasz sums up their recollection of the first independent video shoot:

The 57th Dynasty starred in Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of famed hip hop clothing outlet Dark 'n' Cold's UK Hip Hop Untapped video series, which documented an emerging UK music scene. In 1999, lead rapper Paradise recorded a four-part advert for Viacom's, VH1 Music First, reaching a new audience and demographic for the group. Their popularity continued to grow with live performances on Nickelodeon and for the 60,000-plus audience at London's millennium night celebrations along the River Thames minutes before London's first major New Year's Eve fireworks display. In 2000, members of the group landed cameo appearances in Fruit Salad Films' BIFA-nominated South West 9, and their song, "Pharaoh Intellect", was added to the Stereo MCs' mix album, DJ-Kicks: Stereo MCs. The 57th Dynasty's motto is "There would be no concept of what far is, were it not for those willing to go to the extreme." Led by the tech-savvy, progressive partnership of Charlie and Paradise, the group embraced new technologies, producing enhanced CDs and releasing digital downloads in 2003, three years before the birth of the iTunes Music Store. Newly formed online record company, Peoplesound.com, licensed "Lil Bro" to their digital catalogue and made it freely available online via their website. "Lil Bro" received over 20,000 downloads, prompting the company's A&R manager, Dave VJ, to comment "57th Dynasty are really big on the site and have what it takes to make it in the US." The 57th Dynasty began touring internationally, to Sweden (Stockholm), Finland (Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä), Denmark (Copenhagen), Italy (Bologna, Milan, Turin), Belgium (Brussels) and France (Nice). At home, they featured, performed and collaborated with other acts, and played festivals and Notting Hill Carnival.

2002–2003: Boro 6 Vol. 2 – A Dynasty Truly Like No Other

In 2002, The 57th Dynasty released their follow-up album, Boro 6 Vol. 2 – A Dynasty Truly Like No Other. Executive-produced by Charlie "Parker" Bucknall and Marcus "Paradise" Dawes, it sold better than their previous effort. The album's polished production stood in contrast to their first release, and the industry took notice of the group's progression. The album heavily featured new talent alongside established artists. Singer Estelle and UK rappers MCD, Ace, Funky DL, Bury Crew, Scor-zay-zee (Out Da Ville), Swaybe Lee, Cerose (Black Rhino), Titan Sounds affiliates, Extremist and DJ IQ featured on the album. Like its predecessor, Boro 6 Vol. 2 – A Dynasty Truly Like No Other earned the group high accolades and acclaim. The album featured a production style dubbed "mix n blend," a fusion of hip hop, reggae and jazz. Hits from this album included "Brethren and Sistren", "Rough Life", "If", "Hooligans", "Ghetto Gold", "Break Free" and "Hold Strong", the latter two featuring Estelle. There is a noted level of maturity in the contributions from group members, including The Juvenile Ruskasz. Lil Monsta's solo performance on "If", 50:50's "Hold Strong" and Dark Troopa's lead placement on "Break Free" are contributions to what Britishblackmusic.com called an "intelligent, hard, dark, mellow, sweet, upbeat" album.

In 2002, Channel U heads Charlie and Darren Platt headhunted the group, soliciting new material for the station to give it an edge over new rival MTV Base. DJ Tim Westwood added "Hooligans" to his BBC Radio 1 playlist and his UK Hip Hop 2002, Vol. 1 album. In August 2002, BBC Radio launched the new black music digital radio station, 1xtra. Playing a selection of the best contemporary black music, the new station's debut was marked with an exclusive dubplate by The 57th Dynasty. Labels such as Def Jam UK, Mercury Records, Polydor and V2 Records were said to be interested in signing the group. Charlie Parker flew to New York to negotiate a deal around this time. By 2003, the popularity of "urban" music was at an unprecedented high in the UK as rapping/singing garage pop groups such as So Solid and Big Brovaz were being signed to major record labels and achieving chart success. In this same year, home secretary David Blunkett and culture minister Kim Howells accused rappers of glorifying the thug life and turning guns into fashion accessories. The Wessex Scene described The 57th Dynasty's brand of music as harsh realities of a contemporary upbringing, a stark contrast to the commercially successful pop rap groups of the time. With a reputation for being tied to violence and gang culture, the political and public glare meant the group remained unsigned.

In 2003, The 57th Dynasty were nominated for Best Hip Hop Act at the Urban Music Awards. The group deliberately did not appear at the high-profile ceremony held at Hammersmith Palais. Group members worked on individual projects and collaborated heavily with other artists, including Charlie Parker's contribution to Paper Chasers, which premiered at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. However, the album that was said to be in the works, DIY Ethic, did not materialise and was postponed indefinitely as relationships between group members deteriorated. In August 2007, Britishhiphop.co.uk reported rumors that the group had broken up.

Members

The original members of The 57th Dynasty were rappers Michael Baiden (Lil Monsta), Carl Byron Fitzroy Fearon (50:50) and Gilbert Baiden (Dark Troopa) – collectively known as "Juvanile Ruckasz" and later, "Da Mans Dem" – Dennis Baiden (Thunda Storm), Marcus "Paradise" Dawes (now known as WhoIsParadise) and Lawrence J. Oshin (Oshin). In-house music producers Charlie Bucknall (Charlie Parker) and Steven Edwards (Shineye), under the production moniker Watch No Face Productions, completed the eight-man collective.

Current members

Former members

Guest members

Feud with Jay Z

In 1999, Jay Z and Dame Dash were approached by Paradise at the 1999 MOBO Awards ceremony, where both parties were nominated for awards. While The 57th Dynasty members vacated their box seats in favour of networking and promoting with industry executives on the main floor of the auditorium, Paradise took a seat at Dame and Jay's reserved table and presented the pair with CDs for sale. The conversation that ensued revolved around questions from the duo about the name The 57th Dynasty and its meaning. Paradise gave the pair a CD and continued on towards Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, who sat in security isolation, as he had recently been shot in Brixton after performing at the Lambeth Country Show.

In December of that same year, Jay Z released Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. On the song, Pop 4 Roc, featuring Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and Amil, Jay Z says "You are about to witness a dynasty like no other", a statement many felt was directed at The 57th Dynasty. The streets and internet buzzed at the prospect of an international rivalry. During a scheduled radio interview in the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, The Homegrown Consortium made the argument for retaliation. Paradise freestyled an on-air diss directed at Jay Z and later recorded "Coincidences" with producer Shineye. Although performed live, the track was never released; the group chose to promote their successes rather than fuel the already growing public perception that The 57th Dynasty were merely thugs and gangsters or, as Westwood stated, "living that street life".

In 2000, Jay Z released The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, continuing his use of the word "dynasty" in his work. Derek A. Bardowell of The Source wrote, "Brixton-based rap collective 57th Dynasty is not in this business to make people feel comfortable. Just ask Jay-Z." He also noted that "British rap is picking up momentum in the States" in his article welcoming The 57th Dynasty as the first British hip hop group to feature in the publication.

In January 2003, reports surfaced across the Internet connecting The 57th Dynasty to both the Westwood shooting and Dame Dash's alleged beating in Les Halles, Paris, including the AllHipHop.com headline: "Damon Dash Beat Down Was Ordered". The Scandinavian hip hop magazine Kingsize reported that "57th Dynasty from Brixton must have been pissed off when Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella released The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, and argued that the concept belonged to them." The article goes on to say "Tim Westwood was according to rumors shot and injured a few years back because he would not support the 57th Dynasty."

Controversies

The 57th Dynasty have had several controversies throughout their career. Clashes with promoters, DJs and bouncers, and highly publicised feuds with fellow artists, have beset the group, often accused of being too pro-black in their message.

The Roots

In 1999, Black Thought of the legendary Roots met The 57th Dynasty for the first time at Milos Studios whilst the group recorded their debut album, The Spoken Word. The meeting was cordial and Black Thought even took pictures with Dynasty members. Later that year, both groups played a number of UK hip hop concerts together, including Glastonbury and Brixton Academy. At Glastonbury, Questlove challenged Lil Monsta about the similarities of the two groups' names. Unknown to anyone at the time, Questlove claimed a moniker for his group other than The Roots. On "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New" (featuring Dice Raw) from their fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart, Black Thought of The Roots is heard rapping "I represent the legendary Fifth Dynasty crew". The two groups met again at Brixton Academy for Hip hop Phenomenon '99, a line-up that included Jurassic 5, Slum Village, DJ Cash Money, Kool Keith and more. DJ Noize, Supernatural, DJ Cash Money and The 57th Dynasty performed in the venue's foyer, a setting they were not pleased with. The makeshift stage was not stable enough to support the weight of six bouncing performers, so The 57th Dynasty's vinyl record players continuously jumped as the turntables jerked under the group's animated performance. Not happy with either the location or the bandstand, the group entered the main hall and stormed the main stage. Performing at the time were The Roots. Paradise took the mic from Black Thought and the other 57th Dynasty performers charged onto the stage. The Roots exited without incident as The 57th Dynasty performed "Boro 6".

Nickelodeon

On 29 May 1999, The 57th Dynasty appeared on Nickelodeon UK's Live Studio Music Performances. Due to the child-friendly nature of the channel, the group performed "Lil Bro" before a live studio audience. After the performance, cast and crew members argued about the nature of the song's controversial lyrics. One crew member commented that the show might as well have the far-right British National Party on the following week.

Terrorism

In September 2006, Gilbert Baiden (Dark Troopa) was pictured on the front page of the South London Press as a terror suspect; the headline read "Why Young Men Are Turning To Terror". Baiden's arrest was covered by local, national and international press. The Mirror reported that the arrests reflected an increasing number of young British blacks who grew up in Christian families but had recently converted to the Muslim faith. The article went on to say that anti-terrorist police were "very confident" there would be charges for serious terrorism offences. Although Scotland Yard applied to magistrates to extend the time they could keep the suspects in custody for questioning, 25-year-old Baiden was one of two men released without charge. Baiden's family, which included four brothers, two of whom were also members of The 57th Dynasty and another of whom was an affiliate artist, protested Baiden's innocence alongside friends and loved ones insisting the arrest to be just another blunder like Forest Gate, the ill-fated £2.2 million police operation that resulted in the wrongful raid and shooting of brothers Abdul Kahar and Abul Koyair by anti-terrorist police.

Crime reporter Ben Ashford of the South London Press wrote that according to one of South London's leading Muslims, Toaha Qureshi, impressionable black youngsters were being preyed on by ruthless terror masterminds, hell-bent on future 7/7-style atrocities. The report went on to name Baiden as a British citizen who had converted to Islam four years prior and worshipped at South London mosques. The Daily Mail obtained information that the arrested men, aged 17 to 48, were held after months of surveillance by Scotland Yard and MI5. The arrests coincided with the rise in so-called Muslim street gangs, including the Muslimeen and Muslim Boys (an offshoot of PDC). Baiden was released without charge four days after his arrest, following Toaha Qureshi's statements that "this family have good standing in the community and [the Baiden brothers] seem to be decent, ambitious young men, and they deny any involvement in terrorism.

Concerts and tour chronology

In addition to the above tour information, The 57th Dynasty also performed at Rise Festival, Love Music Hate Racism, Ten Rooms, Club Ezekiel, Peckham, Temple (Westwood), Z Bar, Brixton (Cappadonna show)

Filmography