Wikipedia / Swollen Members
Wikipedia / Swollen Members
Swollen Members is a Canadian hip-hop group from Vancouver, British Columbia, consisting of rappers Madchild and Prevail, and producer Rob the Viking. Former group members include Moka Only, Easy Roc, Zodak. Swollen Members have released eight studio albums, three compilation albums, two greatest hits albums, and one live album.
Career
Foundation and single releases
The group was founded in 1996 by rappers Madchild and Prevail. The duo had chemistry while rapping together at a house party and formed the group. The name Swollen Members was suggested by Moka Only, who later joined the group in the early 2000’s. The name, which is a double entendre for a large crew and a sexual innuendo, was later listed as one of the worst rapper names by Complex and Cracked.
The group released four 12-inch vinyl singles from 1997 to 1999 on Madchild's indie label Battle Axe Records, initially distributed by New York-based Fat Beats. The singles sold approximately 10,000 copies each.
1999-2000: Balance
In 1999, the group released their debut album Balance, with features from Evidence and Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Aceyalone, Del the Funky Homosapien, Divine Styler, Everlast, Saafir, and Son Doobie. The album peaked at number 40 on Canadian alternative albums, earned Gold status by the CRIA and won Rap Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2001.
2001–2002: Bad Dreams
Following Balance, Swollen Members released their second album Bad Dreams on November 13, 2001. It includes guest appearances from Buc Fifty, Chali 2na, Evidence, Moka Only, Planet Asia, Rakaa, and Son Doobie. The album peaked at number 34 on the Canadian Albums Chart, and placed on multiple Canadian year-end charts in 2002. In 2002, Bad Dreams was the seventh-best-selling rap album in Canada and the best-selling rap album in Canada by a Canadian artist. The album also earned Platinum status by the CRIA, and won Rap Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2002. The song "Fuel Injected" (featuring Moka Only) won four MuchMusic Video Awards. "Bring It Home" became the group's highest-charting song, peaking at number three on the Canadian singles chart.
2002–2003: Monsters in the Closet
Swollen Members album Monsters In the Closet is a collection of B-sides, outtakes and three newly produced songs, released in 2002. The album brought group membership for Moka Only and producer Rob The Viking. The album debuted at number 7 on the Canadian albums chart, and placed on multiple Canadian year-end charts in 2002. The album also earned a Gold certification from the CRIA, and won the group their third consecutive Rap Recording of the Year Award at the 2003 Juno Awards. The song "Breath" (featuring Nelly Furtado) won Best Rap Video at the 2003 MuchMusic Video Awards. In January 2003, Swollen Members signed a deal with Virgin Records. However, they never released anything with the label.
2003–2004: Heavy
In 2003, the group released their third studio album Heavy, with guest appearances from Abstract Rude and Son Doobie. It debuted at number 14 on the Canadian Albums Chart. The album includes Moka Only on every song, for the first time. After the release, he left the group and continued his solo career. At the 2004 Western Canadian Music Awards, the album won in the Outstanding Rap/Hip-Hop Recording category.
2006–2007: Black Magic
In 2006, Swollen Members released their fourth studio album, Black Magic. It features guest appearances from Evidence, Alchemist, Barbie Hatch, Casual, Everlast, Ghostface Killah, Mr. Vegas, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia, Sick Jacken, DJ Revolution, DJ Babu, DJ Swamp, and Moka Only. Later that year, the group lost their distribution deal with Nettwerk due to Madchild's affiliation with the Hells Angels. The album peaked at number 22 in Canada, number 21 on the US Billboard Independent Albums and number 19 on the Heatseekers Albums charts. The album also went on to win the group their fourth Rap Recording of the Year Award at the Juno Awards of 2007.
2009–2010: Armed to the Teeth, Greatest Hits
Armed to the Teeth was released October 27, 2009, by Battle Axe Records and Suburban Noize Records. Featured artists on the album include La Coka Nostra, Talib Kweli, Tech N9ne, Tre Nyce, and a return of Moka Only on the previously released track, "Red Dragon". This release was followed by a North American tour with the Australian hip-hop group Bliss 'n' Eso.
In 2010, Swollen Members released their first greatest hits album titled Greatest Hits: Ten Years of Turmoil, which reached number 110 on the Canadian Albums Chart.
2011–2012: Dagger Mouth and Monsters II
Swollen Members released their sixth album, Dagger Mouth in April 2011, with the label Suburban Noize. The first single was "Mr. Impossible", followed by "Bring Me Down" which features rapper Saigon. The album was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2012.
A compilation album titled Monsters II was released on August 2, 2011. In December 2011, the group released another compilation album titled 1997. The album includes songs recorded in the late 1990s, some of which first appeared on the Europe/United Kingdom release of their debut album Balance.
2013: Beautiful Death Machine
On March 19, 2013, their seventh studio album, Beautiful Death Machine was released, featuring guest appearances from Heavy Metal Kings, Slaine, Esoteric, Celph Titled, Apathy and Snak the Ripper. The album debuted at number three on the Canadian Albums Chart, making it the group's highest-charting in Canada.
2014: Brand New Day
On June 17, 2014, the group released their eighth studio album Brand New Day. In mid-February 2015, Madchild was listed on the King of the Dot BO5 card against the battle rapper by the stage name of Daylyt.
2018: "Bank Job" and other projects
In 2018, the Swollen Members single "Bank Job" was released, followed by several solo releases by Madchild and Prevail and Rob the Viking's new project XL The Band.
In 2021, Swollen Members released a single and music video for "Tetris" featuring Neph. Since then, Madchild has been focused on solo releases, and Prevail and Rob the Viking have been focused on XL The Band. In 2022, the group released a second greatest hits album titled The Best Of.
Musical style
Their music is influenced by punk rock and heavy metal. Matt Conaway of AllMusic said their debut album Balance was "at the forefront of developing a new style" and they have been called "a bridge between punk rock and hip-hop". The Rough Guide called them "two of the most innovative people in hip-hop".
Cultural impact
The groups music and style has been heavily connected to extreme sports culture, primarily skating and snowboarding. In 1994, Madchild released his debut single "Pressure" with producer and skateboarder Tommy Guerrero. In 2001, the group made their first appearance at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, and have since been performed at the event more than any other group. In 2002, Swollen Members performed at Molson Snow Jam. The bonus disc of their 2003 album Heavy includes skateboarding footage of Colin McKay, Danny Way and others. In 2004, DC Shoes designed a limited edition "Manteca" shoe for the group. In 2005, their music was featured in the Billabong surfing video "Passion Pop". Their music was featured in multiple Mack Dawg Productions snowboarding videos, including "The Resistance", and "True Life", which were sold with a bonus compilation CD of Battle Axe Records songs. Their music was also featured in the 2002 compilation album Circa Presents… and two Red Dragon skate videos "RDS / FSU / 2002" and "Skateboard Party". In 2006, screenings of "Skateboard Party" played before their shows. Their music is also in the video games Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 and SSX 3.
Legacy
Swollen Members are the best-selling Canadian hip-hop group in Canada of all time. From 1996 to 2016, they were the second best-selling Canadian hip-hop artist in Canada. They have won four Juno Awards, including three in a row from 2001-2003. Aaron Zorgel of Complex credited the group as "the defining sound of Canadian rap between the years 2000-2002". Complex also ranked the group number 4 in their list of "Canadians Who Shaped Canadian Hip-Hop: Northern Touch To The 2000s". The group was ranked number 10 in a 2010 list of "Best Canadian Rappers of All Time" by Global News.
Group members
Current members
Madchild – (1997–present) - rapper
Prevail – (1997–present) - rapper
Rob the Viking – (2002–present) - producer
Former members
Moka Only – (2002–2003) - rapper, producer
Easy Roc – (1995–1996) - rapper
Zodak – (1995–1996) - rapper
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Greatest hits albums
Live albums
Singles
Guest appearances
Music videos
Awards and nominations
Juno AwardsJuno Awards
MTV Video Music AwardsMTV Video Music Awards
iHeartRadio MMVAsMuchMusic Video Awards
Western Canadian Music AwardsWestern Canadian Music Awards
See also
References
External links