MC Tunes | |
---|---|
Birth name | Nicholas William Dennis Hodgson |
Also known as | Nicky Lockett |
Born |
Moss Side, Manchester |
28 March 1970
Origin | Manchester |
Genres | Hip hop, Madchester |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | ZTT Records |
Associated acts | 808 State, A Guy Called Gerald |
MC Tunes (born Nicholas William Dennis Hodgson, 28 March 1970) is a British rapper from the Moss Side area in Manchester, England. His name was legally changed to Lockett in 1981, and he also goes by the name Nicky Lockett. Tunes played a significant role in the Madchester-music scene during the 1980s and 1990s. In his early career Tunes took niche music genres into the UK Singles Chart, whilst fronting 808 State, and later achievied cult status with the band Dust Junkys.
In April 2014, it was announced that Damage by Stereo, Tunes 'lost' second album was to be finally released.
Tunes first worked with 808 State on the 1990 album The North At Its Heights (ZTT Records). The album was a moderate success, reaching number 26 in the UK Albums Chart, and also saw European and Japanese releases. It spawned three UK singles that entered the UK Singles Chart: "The Only Rhyme That Bites" (ZTT, 1990) reached number 10, "Tunes Splits The Atom" (ZTT, 1990) number 18 and "Primary Rhyming" (ZTT, 1990) peaked at number 67 – this was also the first of the singles to have the 'versus 808 State' wording removed from the cover credits. Each single was supported by a promotional video. On 19 November 2011 a deluxe edition of The North At Its Heights was released by ZTT Records in Japan, due to a resurgence of interest in this work. The release featured seven additional tracks including "Dance Yourself To Death" – Dust Bros club mix: remixed by the Dust Bros; and a remake of "The Only Rhyme That Bites" – Ugly as Sin mix: remixed and remodelled by Tunes for the release.
In 1992, Tunes recorded the single "Digital Bad Boy" / "Could You Understand" (Juice Box) with A Guy Called Gerald.
'The Only Rhyme That Bites' video was recorded in the basement of the old Express Newspapers building on Ancoats Lane.