MC (sometimes MC) is a term that you are likely to encounter throughout rap, hip-hop, and entertainment. The phrase can mean master of ceremonies, but it can also be applied to anyone within an event who directs and leads the proceedings for the night.
An MC might be synonymous with hip-hop, but that doesn’t automatically mean that all rappers are MCs.
Here’s more about an MC, and how their role works to keep the party going.
What is an MC?
An MC is a term used for a master of ceremonies, or sometimes applied to the announcer or leader of a hip-hop event. That’s the Cambridge Dictionary definition of what MC means.
However, there are also sources that say MC stands for mic-controller within the hip-hop universe. Some artists began to incorporate MC into their names, like MC Hammer, MC Ren, and MC Shan.
According to MC Hammer, the term means Master of Ceremonies — alternatively, he has also said that it stands for Man of Christ, indicating his faith.
Are ALL Hip-Hop Artists MCs?
Not necessarily, and someone can be a hip-hop artist without being an MC — or someone can be an MC without being a rapper. The question that answers this one is to ask who might be in control of the night.
An MC leads the schedule, and might announce acts and intermissions. The MC might also be a peacekeeper, judge, and holds the crowd’s attention between various acts. An MC might also be responsible for coordination behind the scenes, and doesn’t just appear in front of the audience.
Overall, an MC occupies an important role at every individual event.
What Does an MC Do?
Someone’s question about what DJs actually do was quickly turned into a viral video sensation you might have already seen:
A DJ controls the deck and their set, whereas the MC is often placed in control of the overall flow of the event. Whether it stands for Master of Ceremonies or Mic Controller, you can bet that everyone at an event should know who the MC is.
Who Was the First Hip-Hop MC?
Coke La Rock is considered to be the first MC, according to most hip-hop history accounts. When blending beats with DJ Cool Herc, the duo became famous as having founded almost the entire genre — and certainly laying down techniques that are still in use today.
You can MC without rapping, and you can rap without MC-ing.
It depends on who leads the night’s flow, and who controls the mic for introductions and announcements.
Can AI MC?
Artificial Intelligence like SOUNDRAW has been used as an AI beatmaker, and has even been employed to ghostwrite lyrics for international artists. Post Malone chose his name from an online Rap Name Generator!
AI is getting better at a lot of things, and we live in a future where more artists are using tools to augment what they can come up with. AI can generate what you’d like to hear, and might soon be used as the MC at an event.
Why not give it a try?