Mind Tha Gap Anthems

STEVE 'THA 4ORCE' ELLINGTON

Biography 2005

A Producer, Rapper, D.J and Musical Engineer, Force has performed and toured with musical acts such as Gabrielle, Missy Elliot, MC Lyte, Gang Starr, Salt & Pepper, KRS 1 and Public Enemy.

In the eighties, Force was a young teenager from a musical family. He grew up with bass lines, beats and melodies from reggae, soul, jazz and electro. When Hip Hop moved from its electro phase and started fusing these elements, Force was on the case in a flash and in 1988 his rapping skills led to an introduction to Ronin Inc., his first 12' being played, swiftly followed by Pure Power; introducing him to the rap fraternity.

This led to an appearance at just 13 on BBC TV show called 'Dance Energy' and he did many magazine interviews and PA's. At the end of 1989, Force formed a partnership with fellow Ronin rapper, K.Zee, and they started laying down tracks with Ronin. These were enough to get a deal with Circa (Virgin Records) and in 1990, their first single, produced by Ronin, 'Pure Power', charted nationally.

Sega saw the potential of these young British hip hoppers and sponsored a national tour and video to promote both their first and second single, 'Jam'. This video was shot on the beautiful island of Grenada in the Caribbean and created ever widening ripples in both underground and crossover circles. After recording a debut album with Virgin, which due to many unforeseen circumstances was never released, Force and K.Zee moved back to Ronin, who had established their own label.

This independent environment suited them down to the ground. They released an EP, which sold well and were performing regularly. British Knights commissioned an advert for MTV and sponsored an extensive tour.

In the US, Force did a show with Boogie Down Productions (K.R.S 1) in New York. 'I tore it up' he recalls wistfully and it sparked interest from Stateside labels.

His various remix and production work include: Ms Dynamite, The Lights, Reef, Oleta Adams, Phoebe One, Foxy Brown Feat Blackstreet, Public Demand, LL Cool J, Organized Konfusion, Common, Gravediggers, Busta Rhymes, Alkaholiks, Lord Tariq & Peter Guns, Capone & Noreaga and The Beatnuts.

Steve has also completed many album projects with artists such as; Izzi Dunn, Noel McKoy, Rubic, Nash and Poynt Blak as well as his own solo albums.

In 2000, the launch of Sacha Baron Cohen's controversial character, Ali G, landed Force a role on the Friday night show 'Da Ali G Show' on Channel4. He was the fast-talking DJ, whose flawless performance on the decks led people asking 'Who's the 4orce'?!

This lead to the beginnings of a six piece group called 'Nash', for which 4orce co wrote and produced material. Peter Cherry was on bass, Tim Baxter on keys, Don Bannister on live drums, Izzi Dunn on the cello and Russell Nash performing the lead vocals. They secured a deal with Polydor/Go Beat Records and although Nash found it hard to breakthrough in the UK, they sold 40,000 copies of their album 'The Chancer' around the world, as well as charting in Australia & Asia with their single '100 Million Ways'. The band sadly went their separate ways in 2002.

In 2002, Force was offered the 10-12pm slot on Itch FM. Naturally he took the job and he entertained listeners every Saturday night, playing the very best Hip Hop around and representing British Hip Hop at the same time. Amid all this, Force still had time to produce his own album, entitled 'Mind Tha Gap Anthems'.

After spending a while presenting on MTV, Force is now back in the studio, remixing tracks for various artists and is still finding time to produce up and coming UK acts. He is also working on his own new material and DJ's whenever he can.

4orce has just completed the MTV Base Tour for the second year running, hosting and playing at various venues up and down the country.

Previously 4orce has DJed for audiences of 2 to 25,000, playing at China White, Elysium, Wax, Pangaea, Equinox, Red Square, Café d' Paris, Funky Buddha and NYT to name a few in London's West End alone, and has also been fortunate enough to play at venues and festivals in Sweden, Estonia, India, Bangladesh and Japan.

M.T.G Recordings 2005.
18 items found

Song(s)