MC Breed, born Eric Breed, was a trailblazing figure in the world of hip-hop, celebrated for his impactful contributions to the genre. However, his untimely death left fans and the music community in shock and mourning. Understanding the circumstances surrounding MC Breed's passing sheds light on the challenges faced by artists in the entertainment industry and the impact of health issues on their lives.
Who was MC Breed?
Born Eric Breed on June 12, 1971, he started his career in Flint, Michigan, a city that was deeply in debt and where he grew up. “A city where pity runs low,” he rapped about his hometown.
When Mr. Breed's first record with Da Flint Crew, “MC Breed & DFC,” came out in 1991, rappers from the Midwest were still new, but Mr. Breed's skill with words and songwriting helped him get a lot of attention.
His most popular song was “Ain't No Future in Yo Frontin',” which had sharp drums from New York hip-hop and needling synths that were common in Los Angeles rap.
Mr. Breed moved to Atlanta soon after the album came out because that's where the record label he worked with, Ichiban, was based. Soon, his house and studio were popular spots for local artists. Up-and-coming producers like Jazze Pha and well-known stars like Too Short would hang out to play video games and make music.
In an interview, Too Short said, “If Breed wasn't involved, many careers would never have happened.”
On later albums, Mr. Breed went toward a funk-based sound that was similar to Los Angeles gangster rap. On his 1993 album “The New Breed,” he collaborated with the D.O.C., one of the first West Coast rap artists.
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At this point, Mr. Breed was in high demand as a partner. Besides rapping, he also wrote songs for Too Short on several records. A chance encounter with Tupac Shakur in a tattoo parlor resulted in the hit song “Gotta Get Mine.” In the same year, Mr. Breed also sang on “Paint the White House Black,” a song by George Clinton that was full of crazy ideas.
During the 1990s, he kept putting out records, even though he mostly lived in Atlanta. He was making a new record and a DVD about his life when he died.
How did MC Breed Die?
MC Breed died in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on November 22, 2008. He was one of the first rappers from the Midwest to be financially successful and known across the country. He was 37 years old.
Darryl Morris, his boss, said that it was because of kidney failure. In September, Mr. Breed went to the hospital with the same problem after passing out at a basketball game and was put on life support for a short time.
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Roy Lester and Willie Breed, his children, Kiara Monique, Erica Ariel, Alexis Cymone, Marco Chene, and Eric Jalen, also survive him. He also has two brothers, Pete and Kevin Breed, and a sister, Bridgette Breed.