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Kool Moe Dee | |
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| Also known as | Moel Dewes |
| Born | Mohandas Dewese[1] (1962-08-08)August 8, 1962 (age 63)[2][3] |
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| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1978–present |
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| Formerly of | |
Mohandas Dewese[1] (born August 8, 1962),[2][4] better known by his stage nameKool Moe Dee, is an Americanrapper, songwriter, actor and college graduate- SUNY Old Westbury BA in Communications.[5] Considered one of the forerunners of thenew jack swing sound in hip hop, he gained fame in the 1980s as a member of one of the pioneering groups in hip hop music, theTreacherous Three, and for his later solo career. During his career he released a total of seven studio albums (five of them solo), with 1994'sInterlude being the last to date.
His fast and aggressive rap style[6] influenced following rap figures such asBig Daddy Kane,Beastie Boys,KRS-One,Rakim,Will Smith,N.W.A,Tupac Shakur,Nas,Jay-Z, among others.[7] Among his most famous songs are "Go See the Doctor", "Wild Wild West" and "How Ya Like Me Now".[8]
Kool Moe Dee was rankedNo. 33 onAbout.com's list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).[9]
Mohandas Dewese was born in Harlem. He attended theState University of New York at Old Westbury, where he received a degree in communications in 1985.[8]
One of Kool Moe Dee's first feats was being part of the first major rap battle in history. He lyrically attackedBusy Bee after one of his performances in 1981. He was extremely mad at Busy Bee, for talking smack about other MC's, claiming that none of them could beat him in a contest. Moe Dee used some of his rhymes from "The New Rap Language" and "Whip It". He also used a little bit of Busy Bee's style during the battle. In 1985, theTreacherous Three disbanded. In 1986, he went solo, releasing a self-titled album that ranked 83 onBillboard. After meeting a young up and coming artist atSugar Hill records by the name of Lavaba Mallison, who would later become his manager, Kool Moe Dee left Sugar Hill records to join Lavaba Mallison, Robert "Gusto" Wells, Greg Marius and up and coming producer Teddy Riley at the newly founded ROOFTOP records. He co-operated with the young producersTeddy Riley and Lavaba Mallison which contributed to thenew 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, achievingplatinum status. He then went on to release his third album,Knowledge Is King in 1989, which wentgold. In 1990, he performed onQuincy Jones' albumBack on the Block along with fellow rappersMelle Mel,Big Daddy Kane andIce-T. The album gained considerable critical and financial success and won the1991 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. In 1991, the release of his albumFunke, Funke Wisdom signaled Kool Moe Dee's decline. Moe Dee himself has stated that this was his worst album.[10] He induced his release fromJive 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 albumInterlude was released and failed to gain Moe Dee much of his former success of the mid-1980s. In 1993, he re-united with his fellow ex members of theTreacherous Three to release the albumOld School Flava onIchiban. His last commercial release was the single "Love Love/What You Wanna Do" which was released on Spoiled Brat Entertainment Inc. Moe Dee appeared in theMTV box office bombCrossroads as a bartender.
Kool Moe Dee conducted a long-running rivalry with fellow New York rapperLL Cool J.[8] Along with other rappers such asMC Shan, Kool Moe Dee claimed that LL had stolen their rap styles. He also felt that LL was disrespecting rap pioneers such asMelle Mel andGrandmaster 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 albumHow Ya Like Me Now on the single of the same name.[8] 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 redKangol hats.[11]
In 2017[citation needed] he launched as executive producer and host ofBehind The Rhyme,[12] a digital talk show series featuring an interview with a hip-hop legend or current star. The premiere episode was released in June 2020,[citation needed] featuringChuck D, front man ofPublic Enemy and supergroupProphets of Rage. The show is executive produced by industry veterans Ann Carli andDevin DeHaven, who also directs the series.[13]
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Wild Wild West" | Best Rap Performance | Nominated |
| 1991 | "Back on the Block"(withQuincy Jones) | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Won |
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