MC 900 Ft. Jesus

Mark Griffin (born 1957), better known as MC 900 Ft. Jesus, is a classically-trained American musician[1] turned rapper and experimental musician.[2]

MC 900 Ft. Jesus
Birth nameMark Griffin
Born1957 (age 63–64)
Kentucky, U.S.
GenresHip hop, jazz, experimental
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active1979–2001, 2017-present
LabelsI.R.S. Records
American Recordings
Nettwerk
Associated actsThe Telefones
Lithium X-Mas
Bill Evans

Early life and education

Griffin's father was an army officer,[2] and his family moved frequently before eventually settling in Dallas, Texas in 1979.[3] Griffin studied the trumpet and has a BA in Music from Morehead State University as well as an advanced degree in music from North Texas State University.[2] Before becoming MC 900 Ft. Jesus, Griffin played in local Dallas bands The Telefones and Lithium X-Mas.

Career

Griffin's stage name came from a sermon by Oral Roberts, in which the televangelist claimed that he had received a vision of a 900-foot-tall (270 m) Jesus, who commanded him to build a hospital (CityPlex Towers) on the campus of Oral Roberts University.[2][3]

Hell with the Lid Off (1990) was Griffin's first full-length release for MC 900 Ft. Jesus as well as the first time Griffin had appeared on a major record label. Featuring DJ Zero (Patrick Rollins) and the single "Truth is Out of Style" which gained a cult following.[3][4]

The following year Welcome to My Dream (1991) was released. DJ Zero appears on Welcome to My Dream under his real name, Patrick Rollins, because of uncertainty about whether he would be able to tour in support of the album.[5] His subsequent single, "The City Sleeps", was featured in the album which explored the mind of a serial arsonist.[2] The song sparked controversy in Baltimore when a then ABC affiliate, WJZ, ran a report suggesting that a series of arsons in the area was a result of WHFS's airing the song.[6]

His final album, One Step Ahead of the Spider, was released in 1994; it contained the single "If I Only Had a Brain", which became his best-known song. The song gained increased exposure from the music video directed for it by Spike Jonze,[7] as well as exposure on MTV's Beavis and Butt-Head cartoon show.[8] Rollins once again appears but is not listed in the credits.

Retirement from the music industry

Griffin eventually became disillusioned with the music industry, and sessions for his fourth album were unproductive.[9] Record label interest waned and eventually in 2001, Griffin officially retired.[1][8][9] He obtained his commercial pilot's license, hoping to become a flight instructor. However, when the September 11 attacks occurred, demand for flight instructors plummeted and Griffin was unable to find a job. Eventually, he found employment at a Borders bookstore.[8][10]

In 2007, he began DJing weekly at a Dallas music venue, Lee Harvey's, located in the Cedars neighborhood next to downtown.[8]

Coming out of retirement

On November 26, 2016, Griffin announced via Facebook that he was set to perform a show at The Kessler Theater in Dallas with a quartet including Chris McGuire, Greg Beck, and Wanz Dover in hopes of kick-starting a tour as well as a possible fourth album about which his former label Nettwerk had approached Griffin.[9] On February 3, 2017, the quartet played a sold-out concert performing several of the MC 900 Ft. Jesus songs, receiving an enthusiastic ovation.[11]

Discography

Albums

Singles
  • Too Bad / Shut Up: (1988) MC 900 Ft. Jesus With DJ Zero
  • I'm Going Straight To Heaven: (1989) MC 900 Ft. Jesus With DJ Zero
  • Truth Is Out of Style: (1989) MC 900 Ft. Jesus With DJ Zero
  • UFO's Are Real: (1990) MC 900 Ft. Jesus With DJ Zero
  • Killer Inside Me: (1991) MC 900 Ft. Jesus
  • The City Sleeps: (1991) MC 900 Ft. Jesus
  • If I Only Had A Brain: (1994) MC 900 Ft. Jesus - #25 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[12]
  • But If You Go: (1994) MC 900 Ft. Jesus
  • Falling Elevators: (1996) MC 900 Ft. Jesus

References
  1. Chamy, Michael (October 18, 2001). "Spider Webs: Mark Griffin resurrects MC 900 Ft. Jesus". Dallas Observer. Dallas, Texas: Voice Media Group. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  2. Brennan, Carol. "MC 900 Ft. Jesus Biography". Musicianguide.com. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  3. Heim, Chris (April 13, 1990). "An Encounter With Mc 900 Ft Jesus". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  4. Migaldi, Renaldo (April 12, 1990). "MC 900 Ft. Jesus with DJ Zero". Chicago Reader. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. Popson, Tom (November 8, 1991). "Mc 900 Ft Jesus: A Fascination With Aberration". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/01/29/on-the-beat/5911bb51-a181-4dba-8675-1eaeab741822/
  7. Vognar, Chris (January 7, 2014). "Spike Jonze dishes on his classic music videos (and Dallas'MC 900 Ft. Jesus)". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  8. Hughey, Jesse. "MC 900 Ft. Jesus Lives". Dallas Observer. Dallas, Texas: Voice Media Group. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  9. http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/mc-900-ft-jesus-on-walking-away-from-his-career-i-lost-my-sense-of-humor-about-it-9092749
  10. http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/mc-900-ft-jesus-lives-6419623
  11. http://www.dallasobserver.com/music/mc-900-ft-jesus-returns-with-a-sold-out-show-at-the-kessler-9161473
  12. https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-08-27.pdf
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