P.M. Dawn

Biography

P.M. Dawn was an American hip hop act formed in 1988 in Jersey City, New Jersey, by brothers Attrell Cordes (known as Prince Be) and Jarrett Cordes (DJ Minutemix). Raised by their mother and stepfather George Brown—a founding member of Kool & The Gang—the Cordes brothers developed a unique musical style that blended hip hop, soul, and pop-oriented urban R&B. Their debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience (1991), brought them international acclaim, highlighted by the chart-topping single 'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,' which sampled Spandau Ballet's 'True' and became the first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 after the introduction of Nielsen SoundScan. The group's subsequent albums, including The Bliss Album…? (1993), continued to receive critical praise, with hits like 'I'd Die Without You' and 'Looking Through Patient Eyes.' Despite declining commercial success in later years, P.M. Dawn remained influential for their innovative sound and introspective lyrics. Prince Be's health struggles led to his departure in 2005, and he passed away in 2016. The group continued with new members until 2018, leaving a legacy as pioneers of alternative hip hop and crossover pop.

Fun Facts

• Prince Be began DJing and composing songs in ninth grade, using money saved from working as a security guard at a homeless shelter.
• The group's debut single 'Ode to a Forgetful Mind' was initially rejected by Tommy Boy Records for being too similar to De La Soul.
• P.M. Dawn's 'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss' was the first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 after Nielsen SoundScan was introduced.
• Prince Be's stepfather, George Brown, was a founding member of Kool & The Gang.

Members

• Gregory Lewis Carr II (from 2005)
• K-R.O.K. (from 2018)
• DJ Minute Mix
• Prince Be

Original Members

• Gregory Lewis Carr II
• K-R.O.K.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• George Brown - Stepfather and founding member of Kool & The Gang, provided early musical influence (Kool & The Gang) [1970s-1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Jarrett Cordes - Brother and founding member, DJ Minutemix (P.M. Dawn albums, live performances) [1988-2005]
• Tony Hadley - Featured vocalist in 'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss' music video (Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience) [1991]
• Boy George - Duet partner on 'Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence' (Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience) [1991]

Artists Influenced

• De La Soul - P.M. Dawn's alternative hip hop style was compared to and influenced by De La Soul's approach (De La Soul Is Dead, 3 Feet High and Rising) [1990s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss (Re-Recorded)
2. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience)
3. I'd Die Without You (The Bliss Album...?)
4. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
5. Stars - Comprende Mix; 2008 Remaster (Stars (Collector's Edition))
6. I'd Die Without You (Recollection)
7. Looking Through Patient Eyes (The Bliss Album...?)
8. Stars - PM-ized Mix; 2008 Remaster (Stars (Collector's Edition))
9. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss - Re-Recorded
10. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #hip-hop, #rock-and-indie