Kool Moe Dee

Mohandas Dewese was born in Harlem. He attended the State University of New York at Old Westbury, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 1985. ==Career==

Kool Moe Dee participated in one of the first major rap battles, facing Busy Bee after one of his performances in 1981. After the Treacherous Three disbanded, he went solo, releasing a self-titled album that ranked 83 on Billboard. After meeting Lavaba Mallison, who would later become his manager, Kool Moe Dee left Sugar Hill Records for the newly-founded ROOFTOP Records. He co-operated with the young producers Teddy Riley and Mallison, which contributed to the New Jack Swing movement. Kool Moe Dee released his second album, How Ya Like Me Now, which became his most successful album commercially, achieving platinum status. He then went on to release his third album, Knowledge Is King in 1989, which went gold. In 1990, he performed on Quincy Jones' album Back on the Block along with Melle Mel, Big Daddy Kane, and Ice-T. The album gained critical and financial success and won the 1991 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. In 1991, the release of his album Funke, Funke Wisdom signaled Kool Moe Dee's decline. Moe Dee himself has stated that this was his worst album. He induced his release from Jive Records in 1992. After a two-year hiatus, he released a greatest hits album. In 1994, his album Interlude was released and failed to gain traction. In 1993, he reunited with his fellow ex members of the Treacherous Three to release the album Old School Flava on Ichiban. His last commercial release was the single "Love Love/What You Wanna Do" which was released on Spoiled Brat Entertainment Inc. Moe Dee appeared in the MTV box office bomb Crossroads as a bartender. Feud with LL Cool J Kool Moe Dee conducted a long-running rivalry with fellow New York rapper LL Cool J. Behind The Rhyme talk show In 2017, he launched as executive producer and host of Behind The Rhyme, a digital talk show series featuring an interview with a hip-hop legend or current star. The premiere episode was released in June 2020, featuring Chuck D, front man of Public Enemy and supergroup Prophets of Rage. The show is executive produced by industry veterans Ann Carli and Devin DeHaven, who also directs the series. ==Legacy ==

In 1989, Kool Moe Dee was the first rapper to perform at a Grammy Awards show, where he also presented an award with Karyn White for Best R&B Instrumental and Song. In 1991, he was the first solo rapper to win a Grammy Award (with Quincy Jones). His song, "Wild, Wild West" was nominated in 1988 for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. Kool was nominated for an MTV Music Video "Best Rap Video" award in 1989 for "How Ya Like Me Now." Nominated for two Soul Train Awards, the rapper free-styled on stage at the 1988 show before presenting an award. In 2024, he was honored at the annual Hip Hop Grandmaster Awards. == Books ==

• ''There's a God on the Mic'' (2003) ==Discography==

• Kool Moe Dee (1986) • How Ya Like Me Now (1987) • Knowledge Is King (1989) • Funke, Funke Wisdom (1991) • Interlude (1994) ==Awards and nominations==

Grammy Awards MTV Music Video Awards Soul Train Awards ==Appeared on==

• The Isley Brothers "Come Together" on the album Spend the Night (Warner Bros – 1988) • Quincy Jones w/ Melle Mel & Big Daddy Kane & Ice-T "Back On the Block" from the album Back on the Block (Qwest Records – 1989) • Quincy Jones w/ Ice T, Big Daddy Kane "Jazz Corner of the World" from the album Back on the Block (Qwest Records – 1989) • Stop the Violence Movement "Self Destruction" (Jive/ RCA Records – 1989) • HEAL w/ various artists Civilization Vs. Technology (Elektra – 1991) • Zebrahead "Good Time" from the album Zebrahead Soundtrack (Ruffhouse – 1992) • CB4 w/ Daddy-O & Hi-C "Rapper's Delight" CB4 Soundtrack (MCA – 1993) • Regina Belle "Tango In Paris" from the album Passion (Columbia – 1993) • Babydol "I Want You Back" (Miracle – 1993) • Animaniacs Hip-Opera Christmas (Rhino – 1997) • “Panther” Movie - 1995 • The Spinners "I'll Be Around" from the album At Their Best (Intersound – 1999) • "I Go To Work" from the album Bad Boy Bill's Vocal Mix" (Jive – 1999) • Will Smith w/ Dru Hill "Wild Wild West" from the album Willenium (Columbia – 1999) • Pablo "Next Level" (Howlin – 2003) • Pat Boone "Backbone" from the album R&B Duet Hits (Goldenlane Records – 2006) • Nas w/ various artists "Where Are They Now (80's Remix)" (Ill Will Records – 2007) • Ice-T "Darc Fight Club" EP also features "Revolution" 2009 • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis "Downtown" with Eric Nally, Melle Mel, and Grandmaster Caz – 2015 ==References==