Title: Mastering Beats with Nerdcore’s Pioneer, MC Frontalot
MC Frontalot, the stage name for Damian Hess, is a beloved figure in the music industry. Born on 3rd December 1973, he is an accomplished Brooklyn-based rapper best known as the forefather of Nerdcore hip-hop, a genre that merges geek culture and hip-hop music. Despite sounding like disparate foundations, he blends them with such finesse it defies conventional musical boundaries.
The name 'MC Frontalot' came to life from a naming scheme on the geeky webcomic Penny Arcade. He had been using part of the name in his songwriting process, and one day decided to assume a full-fledged stage persona, thus marking the birth of MC Frontalot.
Hess, a resident of Brooklyn, began his journey into music-making during his tenure at Wesleyan University. His early persona had him rapping about the Internet, video games, and other geeky tropes. Even before he cemented his place as a Nerdcore rapper, he was crafting music that chimed a heads-up about the imminent blossoming of the genre.
Fast forward to 2000, the term 'Nerdcore' came into being on the 'Rhyme Torrents' message board, where he was sharing his music. The term was originally coined in a joking manner, but MC Frontalot embraced it, and now Nerdcore is recognized as an official subgenre of hip-hop.
His breakthrough came when his quirky song, 'Nerdcore Rising,' started garnering attention in the underground music scene. Soon, he was performing at small concerts and geek-centric events across the country, where he cultivated a loyal fan base. Since then, MC Frontalot has released seven studio albums including "Nerdcore Rising" (2005), "Secrets from the Future" (2007), "Zero Day" (2010), "Solved"(2011), "Question Bedtime"(2014), "Net Split" (2019) and the "The Gold Locks" (2021).
MC Frontalot's music has also made headways into popular culture. His song 'Origin of Species' was used in the CBS show 'NCIS.' His song 'Zero Day' was featured in an episode of the 'Weeds' series. And his track 'I'll Form the Head' was used in an episode of Freeform's series 'Stitchers.'
MC Frontalot is revered by the Nerdcore community not just for his contributions to the genre, but for his authentic nature and how he fosters inclusivity amongst fellow nerds through his music. Evidence of his influence can be seen in his appearances at Penny Arcade's Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), thus appealing to both the music and tech-savvy audience.
MC Frontalot has since become a pillar in the music industry, solidifying Nerdcore as a much-admired sub-genre in music. His unique, complex, and electronic influenced beats, along with his smooth rap, witty lyrics, and geek-centric subject matters, continue to appeal to his niche audience, marking him as a distinctive character in industry. His journey stands as a testament to the enduring power of authentic, creative expression in music.