Braintax

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Biography

Braintax is the recording name of Joseph Christie (born 1973), one of the most important and influential British hip hop artists of the second generation. He hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, but now lives in London. He is founder (with Breaking the Illusion) and owner of Low Life Records, the longest running UK hip hop record label to consistently release records. Stylistically, Braintax is much closer to East Coast hip hop than to the hardcore rap of earlier British rappers like Hijack and Gunshot. He is also well known for his business savvy and prominent crow’s feet, which he says adds an air of distinction to his face.

Braintax originally performed as a duo, but former member DJ T.E.S.T. left in the mid-1990s. T.E.S.T. only appeared on one official Braintax release - the 1992 debut EP, Fat Head. Christie retained the recording name and it has since become synonymous with him as a solo artist.

Though Christie had been involved in the underground breakdancing and rapping scenes for a number of years, his career effectively started with the release of the Fat Head EP. Perhaps most noted was track 5, “Talk About The Future,” sampling Quincy Jones’s “Summer In The City.” The sample was used in response to American hip hop act The Pharcyde’s use of it in its track “Passin Me By,” from album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Braintax’s lyrics reflected a maturity beyond his years and this track in particular was a sign of what was to come.

Throughout his career, Braintax’s lyrics have been thoughful, hard hitting and reflective, ranging from politics to spirituality and the state of hip hop music to the war in Iraq.
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  • aaronWHAT

    probably UKHH's best.

    5 May 2012 Reply

  • Stillmatic_au

    cant beleive i have been sleeping on this dude for so long, straight fire.....

    14 Apr 2012 Reply

  • ritesofspring

    How do you mean he was a massive cunt? I met him a couple of times at his shows and he was in no way a cunt.

    12 Feb 2012 Reply

  • smeerudder12

    shame he was a massive cunt

    28 Jan 2012 Reply

  • m2dab

    UK hip hop at its finest. Braintax is worthy of his name.

    9 Apr 2010 Reply

  • Vairiant

    It's even easier to keep your head down and stay asleep / And while you're lying there counting see your face in them sheep / And that's DEEP

    8 Apr 2010 Reply

  • Sane_Smutt

    up the riviera hustle hustle hustle

    21 Jan 2010 Reply

  • Vairiant

    his other albums are alright, but biro funk is untouchable.

    19 Dec 2009 Reply

  • earthman121

    His a thinking MC ...... I like him alot ..... He made some good music

    2 Nov 2009 Reply

  • ATTK

    He shouted "fuck Braintax" during 'People Under the Weather' (I think) when I saw him live.

    28 Oct 2009 Reply

  • barn25

    I've always loved Braintax. Biro Funk was a benchmark in UKHH production, and he's always been good live as well. However, he has seriously pissed a few people off with his decision to end Lowlife. Jehst is annoyed, and Chester P has laid into him on a track, claiming he ripped him off. I don't know exactly how much truth there is in these claims, but Jehst seemed genuinely upset at how Braintax has conducted himself when I spoke to him last week.

    15 Oct 2009 Reply

  • habitwat

    coffeeandpigs - its Bill Hicks. Think its off his flying saucer tour

    16 Sep 2009 Reply

  • pouncing_panda

    "Champ! Yeah you can call me that"

    12 Sep 2009 Reply

  • coffeeandpigs

    who's the comedian at the end of 'Decade'?

    4 Sep 2009 Reply

  • zorge_zorge

    "my English is good - thanks to BBC" - true

    17 Jun 2009 Reply

  • kevthepoet

    New UK Hip-Hop and dubstep poetry, poetic raps over dirty basslines, my music http://www.last.fm/music/Kev+the+Poet+aka+KP+The+Hip-Hop+Bard and the crew - http://www.last.fm/music/Synchromystickz featuring the Appleblim exclusives.

    22 Apr 2009 Reply

  • UpMyAntics

    you're right actually, naive is probably the best word for them. given it a bit more of a listen. i still think he plods along with his flow though. no variation - which seems to be a UKHH theme (as a generalisation)

    10 Apr 2009 Reply

  • UpMyAntics

    lyrics are sweet, but his flow's a bit one dimensional don't you think?

    30 Mar 2009 Reply

  • BurningTiger85

    Mystro is in Australia now too. Maybe he can convince Joey to get back behind a mixing desk.

    25 Mar 2009 Reply

  • FlutteringPetal

    Godnose feat. Task Force should be right up there. Monster of a track.

    8 Mar 2009 Reply
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