Mr Complex

Mr. Complex is from what some might recognize as the “first generation” of underground artists – a relatively small grouping of emcees and producers who made names for themselves in the mid-Nineties more through word of mouth than today’s intricate marketing and promotional schemes. In its short-lived (nevertheless grand) time, consumers sought out the “new shit” sans most “independent” labels and distributors practically feeding it to them. Making a mark circa 95’ with the self-released “Against The Grain”(Core) 12”, Complex found himself chattered about by heads worldwide. It wasn’t until 2 years later that Plex would truly steal the spotlight with his Raw Shack Records smash “Why Don’t Cha” b/w “Visualize” single, which also debuted a righteous pairing with board-master and fellow Brooklynite DJ Spinna. Which incidentally lead to the 1999 collaborative EP “Rhyme Related”, a revered release featuring the emcee talents of Complex, Shabaam Shadeeq, Apani B. Fly MC and Spinna (collectively known as the Polyrhythmaddicts) to man production work. But that’s only a fraction of what was on Mr. Complex’s plate for 99’; serving up two 12”s with his Polyrhythm-fam, Plex also managed to pull out 3 of his own solo releases throughout the year. “I’ma Kill It” on his own Core Records, the Pharoahe Monche produced “Divine Intervention” on Japan’s Mary Joy imprint as well as the Rawkus Records banger “Stabbin’ You”, which happen to feature his Organized brethren, Monch on the flip with “Gitcha, Gitcha, Gitcha”. While “I’ma Kill It” and “Divine Intervention” found homes on respected compilations in the UK and Japan, Plex pulled out two more appearances on albums before the year was over, with “Do It Up” a Beyond There production from the British “Wide Angles” compilation and “Lyrical Fluctuation”, an insane posse cut featuring the likes of Talib Kweli, Shabaam Shadeeq, Jigmastas and Pharoahe Monch available on the Beyond Real Experience compilation. Plex has served 2000 with more of the same, having collaborated with the likes of Morcheeba, El-P, J-Live, L-Fudge, Natural Elements and others, it’s not difficult to find a record with a Mr. Complex verse on it at any given record store around the globe. To compile some of his ever growing catalog into one package, Plex independently released “The Complex Catalog”, a Core Records compilation of all his past, present and newer joints as to hold over eager fans while they await the eventual full length release. But when not constantly putting out records or touring worldwide, Plex has been known to get busy in other fields. Utilizing his Film degree from the prestigious New York Film Academy, Plex has worked on a bevy of short films as well the conceptualizing and directing of the music videos for his “Feel Me” and “Visualize” singles. He has also finished the trailer for an upcoming Hip-Hop game show, masterminded by himself as well. Having been bred in the early days of Organized Konfusion, Plex is no stranger to creativity, as he finds a comfortable space to constantly push the bounds of conventional Hip-Hop, release after release.