Last week I got to catch up with the one and only Teddy Mc, a homegrown hidden gem hailing from Ypsilanti, MI home of Eastern Michigan University just outside of Ann Arbor. Over the years I have gotten to know Teddy through the scene & he is a class act. Being able to witness his gift of gab on numerous occasions has been a blessing. I can recall years ago when I first moved to Detroit. The second time I had been to the Detroit Electronic Music Festival now known as Movement, Teddy,  myself, and a few others were outside of a hole in the wall bar just shooting the shit. After that, a series of events led up to a hoopty pulling up on the street & a couple of individuals offering us some free marijuana. We graciously declined their offer & these individuals just threw it on the ground. Moments later a police cruiser went speeding by. I’m sure you can imagine what must have been racing through our minds, earlier having just witnessed some individuals throwing weed out of a car & immediately after a cop car racing down the avenue. Ever since that late night during the festival after party shenanigans Teddy & I have been boys.

Check out this quick sit down I had with Teddy Mc.

So when did you first start Mc’ing?
I’ve been writing rhymes since I was about 12 years old but I really started taking things seriously doing my 1st show and started recording when I was 17 in 2001.

Do you remember when you started getting into Drum & Bass?
I was 17 and my friend Rob, Dj Nimbus got me into rave culture and electronic music. He had a mix CD with a bunch of random tunes on it that were mostly trance and house. But there was one Drum & Bass tune on it by Aphrodite. The music was just so different than anything I had heard before. It was faster and crazier than the four on the floor stuff. I made him listen to that on repeat all the way to a party one night and then I heard more jungle at the event. That’s when I finally figured out what the music was called and I’ve been a junglist ever since.

Who are you affiliated with?
Heatwave Ent., Alibi Crew, Bassline Mondays, and I think I’m on Bang Tech 12. I’m not too sure though, I should give Dj Seoul a call about that…

What do you think of dubstep?
I enjoy dubstep, but as a junglist I kind of find myself waiting and wanting the dubstep tunes to drop into Drum & Bass. I’m happy that dubstep is making such a good push though. I saw Bassnectar at Movement last year and he absolutely killed it. I wouldn’t mind doing a dubstep tune.

Who have you Mc’ed for?
I’ve rhymed for pretty much every Detroit Drum & Bass Dj there is, too many to name. But as far as the big guys I’ve rhymed for Dieselboy, Tech Itch, Dj Trace, Ed Rush & Optical, Freaky Flow, Capital J, Random Movement, Gridlok, & I know I’m forgetting a bunch of others. Blame it on the alcohol. ha

How has your Mc’ing evolved throughout the years?
I’ve definitely tried to stay away from the whole gangster aspect the last few years, that’s not really me. I‘ve been trying to tap into my real life and rhyme about that instead of just spitting punchlines that don’t really mean anything. I feel I’m definitely growing as an artist, I came up as a battle rapper so now I want to make real songs not just rap for the sake of rapping. As far as live shows on Drum & Bass, I’m doing a lot more hooks and chants and trying to get the crowd more into it. I’ve never tried to outshine a Dj. I feel a Drum & Bass Mc should add to the music, not try to take away the spotlight. If it wasn’t for the Dj’s, I’d just be spiting acapellas to a crowd that came to hear beats and I’d look like a douchebag.

Are you collaborating with any other artist currently?
I’m collaborating with the other artists on Heatwave (A.P. The Free Agent, Young Ink, and Bobbo) for my album along with guest spots on their projects. I’m also looking forward to doing tracks with Michigan Drum & Bass producers Sinistarr, Spktrm, and Joey P. I’m doing the breakbeat stuff with NY producer Dj Fixx, Michigan producer Dj Nimbus, and Dj Chris B and William Van Dyke from 1ll:Eleven. I’m also in talks with Sinistarr about a side project that I don’t think people are gonna be ready for. It’s gonna be under a different name, more pop stuff, but that should be fun.

Do you have anyone you want to collaborate with?
I hope to work with legendary breakbeat producer Dj Icey through the connections I’ve made with 1ll:Eleven. I’m hoping to do some tracks with MC Yoda, another Drum & Bass Mc from my city. King Jazzy is another guy I’d like to get on a track with. I’d also like to work with Detroit Emcee Nickie P. I think she’s pretty dope.

What do you have in store for 2010?
I’m working on a new hip hop album to be released by Ypsilanti , MI based label Heatwave Ent., along with looking forward to doing some Drum & Bass releases with local producers. I’m also working with 1ll:Eleven Records on some breakbeat/electro stuff.

Where can we catch you at?
I host Bassline Mondays with Dj’s Joey P and Sandoz at The Necto Nightclub in Ann Arbor, MI every Monday night in the Red Room. I host shows around Detroit as well. Hopefully you’ll see me at Movement in Detroit again this year. I’ve been invited to Mc the event for the last five years, so hopefully Paxahau will give me a nod again this year. Watch out for the Alibi Crew this summer.

Any shout outs?
Most definitely. I want to big up Detroit Drum & Bass legend Ronin Selecta first and foremost. He took a chance with me when I wasn’t even old enough to be in the club. Without him I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. Also my whole Heatwave Ent. family, Sinistarr, Mark Moss aka 8en, MD!, Spktrm, Joey P and Sandoz, Dj Seoul & the whole Detroit Techno Militia/Bang Tech 12 camp. Mc Yoda & my homie Steffen aka DIY for running this promotion thing with me. And I gotta shout out to Mc Ridda & the whole San Diego Drum & Bass crew out there doing their thing big time.

Be sure to check out our friends over at Nefarious, where multiple sets by many Detroit artist can be found including Matt Clarke, MD!, Ronin Selecta, Kruse Kontrol, & Jared Wilson. Sets with Teddy Mc can also be found there.