Artist

Tricky

1991-present·Bristol

Adrian Thaws grew up in Bristol's Knowle West and came up as an MC with the Wild Bunch before that crew folded into Massive Attack, staying on to add his husky, half-spoken verses to Blue Lines. He left the band in the mid-1990s, over creative differences, friction about how his work on Blue Lines had been credited, and one small episode he still brings up: Massive Attack refused to lend him £2.50 for food at a service station.

The full story is in Bristol Trip Hop.

At a glance

Active
1991–present
From
Bristol, England
Records in the issues
1 (1995), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original label
Island
Listening guide track
“Overcome”

Listen

In the Bristol Trip Hop listening guide: “Overcome”

In the issues

  • Bristol Trip Hop
    Principal · 1983-1998 · Members

    Bristol Trip Hop is a music scene from Bristol, England, 1983–1998. Its principal artists include Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and The Wild Bunch. This issue covers 9 essential albums and 11 dated events.

Records

Terms

MC
A performer who raps or chants rhythmically over music, often hosting a set by hyping the crowd, introducing tracks, or delivering lyrics.
Sound system
A mobile setup of turntables, amplifiers, and large speaker stacks used to play recorded music at outdoor parties and dances, especially in Jamaican and Caribbean culture.