The Mean Machine (Rap group)

The Mean Machine was a rap group composed of Puerto Ricans who rapped in both English and Spanish. They are known for their only single, Disco Dream, released as a 12" 33 RPM single in 1981 on the Sugar Hill Records label. The group is often cited as the first bilingual rap group, and is possibly the first ever Latino rap group.

History

The best description of the group is one written (at least partially) by former group member Mr. Schick, found on [http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/artists/emcees/meanmachine.htm OldSchoolHipHop.com] :

"The Mean Machine went through a few members in the late 70s, before settling to the final four members at the end of 1979. About a year and a half later, they were knocking on the doors of Sugar Hill Records and auditioning for Sylvia Robinson and her crew. They rapped in both English and in Spanish making them one of the first bilingual rap groups around. Sylvia loved the idea of making a bilingual rap record and released their first single "Disco Dream" in the summer of 1981. Hispanics all over the country went crazy over the group when they heard Spanish rap for the first time. This of course lead to the opening of doors to Latin America. The group was shelved by Sugar Hill following a radio interview they did with Frankie Crocker at New York’s WBLS. One of the members said something about the label that didn’t sit well. The group split up and hasn’t recorded since."

Members

*DJ Julio (Steven Santiago)
*Jimmy Mac (James McLean)
*Mr. Nice (Jose Semprit)
*Mr. Schick (Daniel Rivera Jr.)

Also, before a keyboard flare on the single, the group says in unison "Cool Cliff" which could be their DJ, but no reference can be found to this name in relation to the group anywhere on the internet.

Cool Cliff was Julio's 10 yr old son who rapped with us on stage once and a while.