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Necro (rapper)

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Necro

Ron Raphael Braunstein, (Born June 7, 1976), better known as Necro, is an American rapper, record producer, business owner, actor, and director from Brooklyn, New York. Necro is known in the hip hop community for his exceptionally explicit lyrics. He has rapped about murder by torture, the kidnapping of women, narcotics and devil worship. As a young man, Necro says that he hustled, robbed, and dealt drugs in order to survive and stated that, "[he had] robbed people with guns before. Young thugs in Brooklyn. All we did was scheme." Necro is regarded as the innovator of death-rap. [1][2]

Biography

Glenwood Projects

Necro was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the Glenwood Housing Projects. Necro is the son of two Israeli expatriates, Necro's father was a combat soldier and his mother an Orthodox Ba'al Teshuva. [3] "In the PJ's and everywhere I looked there was a wolf. The projects was like a maze for a little 5 year old and it gave me a lot of freedom to be around different cultures", Necro says. During the 80's, you could catch Necro either fighting every day or playing some kind of sport. As a kid in the P.J.'s you wouldn't have caught Necro in the Youth Center socializing or dancing that fresh, he was too busy burning ants to death. He lived there for eight years with the roaches from about 6 years old to 14 years old and then he moved to Canarsie.

Necro began his musical career at 11, playing guitar in a thrash metal band. But in due time, he made a transition from metal to hip-hop.[3] In 1988, Necro started rhyming after being influenced by his older brother Ill Bill, who would constantly kick rhymes in the house. Fiending for props Necro realized he had something original to contribute to Hip Hop. He would rhyme in the lunchroom everyday until he was kicked out of South Shore High School for fighting. He made his first demo in about 1990 and won a demo battle contest on the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito show on WKCR 89.9FM. In about 1993 Necro started rapping brutal full time making a demo called "Do The Charles Manson". He started getting a rep for rapping rugged. At this time in Necro's life he was young, angry, usually armed and a drug dealer in Canarsie. He's been influenced by rappers like the Geto Boys and Kool G Rap plus anything that has had an impact on the Hip Hop generation. In 1994 Necro hit up radio stations and dropped rhymes that are considered legendary by fans on the Stretch and Bobbito show. In '95 he proceeded to drop rhymes on the Wildman Steve and DJ Riz show WBAU 90.3FM with verses that earned the man a large following and to this day kids are still trading his freestyles. [4][5]

Stylistic characteristics

Lyrical Style

Necro says of his style, "I'm into experimentation and trying new scenarios. If you listen to my verses, I change the flow on every line. No line ever repeats in a Necro verse, like some rappers. I don't write in a format. My format, if there is one, is to be unpredictable. The words create the path and flow, as they are written." [1]

Death Rap

Necro invented the term "death rap" to describe his style of ultra-violent hip hop and to set himself apart from other genre labels created by the media. Part of the style was inspired by death metal. The sub-genre of rap combines death metal-esque beats with explicit raps about violence, death, the occult, and sex. Think of death rap as the musical equivalent of slasher films. Many of his lyrics can be just as easily used in thrash or death metal which is why many metal enthusiasts can appreciate this style of rap. [2][6][7][8]

Production

"I've long considered Necro to be one of rap's most slept-on producers, the guy is a beast behind the boards." - www.XXLMag.com [9]

Necro is a self-taught musician and has been playing instruments since the age of ten. Necro says of his production, "I started in 1989. I started looping up records." He bought an Ensoniq EPS in '91 and started producing music everyday developing a morbid sound. The first record he produced that got airplay was "No Tomorrow" by Non Phixion in '96 put out on Searchlight Music/FatBeats distribution. He started producing beats for groups like Non Phixion, Cage, Krist, and Missing Linx, who all released independent singles. The Cage single he produced, "Agent Orange" b/w "Radiohead" is an underground classic and received a lot of airplay on college radio. Unlike other hip-hop LPs with a different producer on each track, the albums released on Necro's label were entirely self-produced. Necro produced 7 tracks for Non Phixion's debut album. [1][4]

Necro produced one track on Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II". The Necro produced "Gihad" sounds like vintage Wu. Necro delivers on the beat for "Gihad", a muted chorus of ominous ‘la-la’s’ which works disturbingly well with Ghostface's rhymes about blowjob follies. [10][11][12]

Metal Hip Hop Fusion

Even though Necro is a rapper, he has the guts and the talent to really collaborate with well-known Metal artists. "I was playing Death Metal when I was 12 years old, opening up for bands like Sepultura, Obituary, Biohazard etc.", Necro says. Speaking about one of his metal hip hop fusions, "Rapping over Grind was monumental! I might never get the proper credit for that contribution, because people are sleeping, but I think I did something unique." [13]

Injustice

Injustice was Necro's first death metal band, formed in 1986, before he was a teenager, playing guitar. With this band, alongside his brother Bill, he played live shows with some of the most legendary death metal bands such as Napalm Death, Sepultura, and Obituary at the world famous Brooklyn club L'Amours. Injustice recorded two demos before splitting up in 1990 due to not securing a label contract. "The Injustice "Inhuman Conditions" demo from those days carries a lot of credibilty with it and I'll go so far as to say I think it's better than some of the bands who have made a name for themselves in that era." - MetalUnderground.com [8][14][15][16]

Death Metal Influence

Since the inception of his rap career Necro has been tied to the genre of heavy metal, and more specifically death metal, which has altered his path into hip hop. Having played alongside such acts as Napalm Death, Sepultura, and Obituary with his band Injustice, Necro gained insight to the morbid underworld of death metal. He has been quoted in interviews citing death metal as a key influence for his sadistic rhymes, Chuck Schuldiner's Death in particular. Necro's adoration for death metal is apparent in many of his lyrical themes such as the Cannibal Corpse-like glorification of gruesome violence, the Deicide/Morbid Angel-tendency to discount and persecute Christianity, and the Bolt Thrower/Slayer-proclivity towards narrating the horrors of war. [17]

Necro has also been known to reference underground metal acts in their rhymes as well. For instance on "Underground" Necro states he will, 'penetrate your skull like a riff from Obituary's "Slowly We Rot"' and quotes Metallica's "Master of Puppets" by saying "taste me you will see, more is all you need, dedicated to, how I'm killing you". Over the years Necro has increased his referencing and collaborations with underground metal acts, as evidenced by his 2004 album The Pre-Fix for Death, which features many references and collaborations with heavy metal musicians from Obituary, Hatebreed, Slipknot, and Voivod. In addition, Necro created his own supergroup known as The Circle of Tyrants, which is also a song by Celtic Frost which is covered by Obituary on their album Cause Of Death. The Circle of Tyrants album also contains collaborations with artists from Testament, Exhumed, and Sepultura as well as song titles named after 80's thrash metal classics such as Slayer's "South of Heaven" and Metallica's "The Four Horsemen". [17]

Psycho+Logical-Records

Necro founded the independent record label Psycho+Logical-Records in November 1999 in order to maintain complete control over the conception and distribution of his music. In seven years, Psycho+Logical-Records has released over 23 albums, moving over 300,000 units and grossing over 1.5 million dollars. This was done without any major label support following the DIY method independently.[2][17] Necro says "I started the label with my own money, from the ground up. Sold a beat for $1,000 and invested in it. Boom! Kept it moving, started making my fans hustle for me. I had over 100 kids hustling CDs for me all over the world." [1]

Internet Success with NecroHipHop.com

Necro has gained much of his popularity through the Internet. Necro's fan base is worldwide and this is evident by the 100+ million hits he has received on his official website. Every day the website receives 10,000 unique user sessions and the numbers grow every week. With an online merchant account the website has received orders for Psycho+Logical-Records and Necro Films merchandise from places as diverse as Australia, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Iceland and the United Kingdom. Necro is quoted as saying, "Necro Hip Hop means Death Rap. I created NecroHipHop.com in 1999. I knew I needed to create my own portal on the web and my website is the place for the most brutal hip hop on earth, kids still come to it religiously after 8 years. I can find out news about everyone in the business just by checking my message board, the kids on my board are in touch with everything in culture. That's why I have always nurtured my website, through ups and downs, it has always been a home to sickos online."[4][5]

Touring

Necro has been performing live since the age of 11. Necro has headlined and sold out 1,000 capacity clubs in New York City, Los Angeles, London and Toronto. In 2007, Necro played The Download festival at Donnington. [17][15] Some of the groups he has opened for include Run DMC, Beatnuts, Sepultura, Kool Keith, Napalm Death & Biohazard. He has headlined sold-out shows in all of NYC's mid-sized venues such as Brownie's, Wetlands, The Knitting Factory & SOB's. Necro's live appeal continues to grow. His shows have grown more turbulent with the audience stage diving and starting mosh pits.[4]

Riot At Vancouver Show

On Saturday March 21, 2009 Necro had an appearance scheduled at a Vancouver, Canada nightclub. When promoters announced that the show was canceled at the last minute after concert goers had been waiting for hours, fans became violent and chaos broke out. Necro had been forced to reschedule the show due to travel delays. Police were later called to the club when people began to throw bottles, chairs and tables at the stage and at the venue's DJ. [18]

Rock The Bells

During the summer of 2009, Necro was a featured artist on the Rock The Bells tour appearing in New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and San Francisco. [19]

Controversy

Sounds of the Underground

In 2007 he toured with Sounds of the Underground. On July 25, 2007, Necro decided to leave the Sounds of the Underground tour. Necro commented, "I decided to leave the tour because I felt the tour's demographic was not receiving hip hop well. I was facing hostile crowds and was returning the same energy back by being more aggressive than them. It was making a lot of people in the tour crew nervous. It was also being suggested that maybe I tone down my live show and not antagonize the already antagonistic crowd. I couldn't roll with that. We finished every show with middle fingers up and a big fuck you to the crowd. we NEVER got booed OFF the stage. Not once. Yes a ton of emo kids booed us at every show, but we had a twenty-five minute set every night and we stayed on stage for every minute of it. Every show had at least 100 to 200 NECRO fans in the pit tearing it up I'm thankful for the opportunity to prove I can murder it in the worst of situations" [20]

Perth Incident

On June 05 2009, Necro was fined $3000 after fracturing the cheekbone of a man who challenged him on the street in Perth, Australia. Necro pleaded guilty to the assault. Perth Magistrates Court was told the victim was punched several times by Necro after Police were called in by eyewitnesses. He was arrested at his hotel later that day, forcing the cancellation of his show before 400 fans at Perth's Hyde Park Hotel. After being fined, Necro was greeted by a small group of fans when he left court. When asked if he had any ill feelings towards Perth as a result of the incident, he said: "I love Perth." [21]

His media persona has done little to quash the controversy surrounding Necro. A recent interview with Music Feeds illustrates his outspoken opinions.[22]

Eminem Comparisons

Necro says, "Every review I have ever gotten, 50% of them say how Necro is sicker than Eminem, or how I make Eminem look like someone soft. I'm considered sicker than everyone that sold 1 Million to 10 Million in the game." RapSearch.com - Necro Interview [23]

"For all his glorification of violence, degradation of women, and overt homophobia, when it comes down to it, Eminem is really just a harmless Girl Scout when you compare him to Necro." - Jewschool Magazine [3]

"It has been said before that Necro makes Eminem look really clean-cut and tame" - Designer Magazine [24]

"For those of you that haven't heard of Necro, I'd like you to multiply the vulgarity of Eminem and multiply it times 50" - epinions.com - Reviews [25]

"Eminem VS Necro. Eminem is white, Necro is white. Eminem is very offensive, but Necro is so much worse. Eminem raps about things that most people would never think of, but Necro raps about things that most people can't think of." - epinions.com - Reviews [25]

"When Eminem first came out Cage said Eminem was biting him and Necro's styles." - Flavorwire.com [26]

"Makes Eminem look like a PG movie" - Amazon.com - User Review [27]

"Makes Eminem look like Will Smith" - Amazon.com - User Review [27]

"Though it's an easy comparison -- Necro sounds exactly like a more perverse Eminem -- more perverse than Eminem would ever allow himself to be." - MP3.com - Gory Days User Review [28]

"Necro, pioneer in the field of death-rap? What awaits us in this land of darkness I hear you cry... Think Eminem with testicles and you are halfway there" - Dooyoo.co.uk - I Need Drugs User Review [29]

Association with the Pornography Industry

Necro has long showed interest in pornography, actors/actresses, and the industry as evidenced on his tracks in which they are referenced. In 2003, he also directed and produced an adult movie called "Sexy Sluts: Been There, Done That" featuring Jerry Butler. Necro further showed his reach in the porn industry on his 2005 record The Sexorcist. This was an all-sex rap album in with cameos by industry legends such as Ron Jeremy, Katsumi, and Joey Silvera. [17]

Recent Events

Necro confirmed he is releasing his 6th studio album entitled, "DIE!", in early 2010. He said it will be the most rugged brutal original hip hop album of 2010. [30]

Releases

I Need Drugs

On the title track of the I Need Love LP, Necro rhymed from a junkie's point of view over the beat for LL Cool J's "I Need Love." [1]

Gory Days

"Gory Days was "sinister, original, and cinematic, every beat hard-hitting." His signature sound began to form as he earned respect in the production field. [1]

Brutality Pt. 1

The 'Brutality' compilation featured "White Slavery". The video (included on his porn "Sexy Sluts: Been There, Done That" DVD) featured imagery of women used as coffee tables. "Hardcore bondage" and "lit flicking" were only 2 of the video's multiple dark themes and references.[1]

The Pre-Fix For Death

"The Pre-Fix For Death" LP was a hip-hop album with a heavy metal backbone. The album featured collaborations with heavy metal groups (Slipknot, Hatebreed, Obituary, Voivod, Nuclear Assault, and Skarhead). More than a rapper and a producer, Necro played many musical instruments on the album. "I have been playing guitar since 12. I play live bass, guitar, Fender, Rhodes, et cetera." Necro says "The Prefix For Death" was the most rugged album last year. The most severe brutality for the sicko cats who want more than what Hot 97 has to offer."[1]

The Sexorcist

"The Sexorist" is Necro's "porn-rap masterpiece." [1]

Timeline

Main article: Necro discography

Studio Releases

Compilations

Collaborations

Filmography

Directing and Necro Films

Necro went to Brooklyn College 2 years for film where he had access to film making equipment. His movie "187 Reasonz Y" had an anti-cop theme with a police officer getting shot in the head at the end of the film. The film department was repulsed by Necro's visions and he received no support from them.[4]

Necro's film company has already released three direct-to-video features ("187 Reasonz Y", "The Devil Made Me Do It" and "The I Need Drugs music video"), all of which have received acclaim in publications such as The Source and Vibe magazine.[4]

Acting

Necro has been taking classes on acting and honing his skills in the acting department. In May 2009, he premiered in a short video-film titled, "Triumph Of The Kill" acting the role of a serial killer clown. The short film was premiered on YouTube and Myspace. [31] [32] [33]

Music Videos

Who's Ya Daddy?

Necro's music video for the song "Whos Ya Daddy?" has gotten over 3.3 million plays on the urban hip hop site WorldStarHipHop.com. [34]

White Slavery

The very original video for "White Slavery" is about kidnapping women and selling them, with many scenes featuring S&M "'White Slavery' was about the white slave trade. I was telling a true story" says Necro. [1]

Solo Videos

Non-Solo Videos

Other Projects

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Walking The Thin Line Between Sex And Death With Necro
  2. ^ a b c Beneath The Street - Death Rap: Special Edition
  3. ^ a b c sputnikmusic New NECRO INTERVIEW from Jew School
  4. ^ a b c d e f Artist Page: Necro
  5. ^ a b RapTalk.net - Exclusive Necro Interview!
  6. ^ Top Death-Rap Artists - Trish's Picks
  7. ^ It's, it's Horrible - Music Feature
  8. ^ a b Necro - Necro, Secret Society, Injustice, The Circle of Tyrants
  9. ^ XXLmag.com - Fear of a Rap Song
  10. ^ Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
  11. ^ Album of the Week: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
  12. ^ sputnikmusic Review: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
  13. ^ Metal-Temple.com Necro Interview
  14. ^ Necro - Death Rap - Review - Stylus Magazine
  15. ^ a b An Interview with Death-Rapper Necro
  16. ^ Tartarean Desire - Injustice - Death Metal band from USA
  17. ^ a b c d e StateMaster - Encyclopedia: Necro
  18. ^ Rapper Necro's No-Show Sparks Concert Riot
  19. ^ Rock The Bells Tour - Featured Acts
  20. ^ 'Death' Rapper NECRO Leaves SOUNDS OF THE UDNERGROUND Tour
  21. ^ News.com.au June 05 2009
  22. ^ Musicfeeds.com.au chats to Necro
  23. ^ RapSearch.com - Necro Interview
  24. ^ Necro - America's Most Shocking Rapper @ Designer Magazine
  25. ^ a b Similar to Eminem, but Much More Disturbing
  26. ^ A Comparative Lyrical Analysis of Necro and Eminem
  27. ^ a b Amazon.com: I Need Drugs: User Reviews
  28. ^ MP3.com - Gory Days: User Reviews
  29. ^ Dooyoo.co.uk - I Need Drugs: User Reviews
  30. ^ Fangoria.com - RAPPED & TAGGED: NECRO Speaks!
  31. ^ Necro Interview: The Sexorcist
  32. ^ YouTube - Triumph Of The Kill by Bryan Andre Starring Ron Braunstein AKA Necro
  33. ^ Myspace Video - Triumph of The Kill by AmHi Productions
  34. ^ Video: Necro - Who's Your Daddy
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