Braintax Explained

Braintax
Birth Name:Joe Christie
Alias:Joey Brains
Brando Flux
Genre:British hip hop
Occupation:Rapper, record producer
Years Active:1990[1] –2008[2]
Label:Low Life

Joe Christie, better known as Braintax, is a British rapper and record producer. Christie had also recorded or appeared under the pseudonyms Brando Flux and Joey Brains. All of his releases were on his own record label, Low Life Records.

Originally Braintax was a duo, consisting of Christie and DJ Test who also contributed vocals and production. Test departed following the 1997 release of the Future Years EP and Christie retained the Braintax name; it has since become synonymous with him as a solo artist.[3] On the track "Monsoon Funk" on Panorama, Christie explained Braintax means "we can all get busy if we use our brains." Braintax's lyrics have made multiple references to spirituality, healthy eating, the state of hip hop music, environmentalism, and politics. On Mr. Scruff's 2002 album Trouser Jazz, Braintax was featured on the song "Vibrate".

In 2008, Braintax suddenly announced his retirement with the release of his final album titled My Last And Best Album and also the end of Low Life Records.

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Low Life Records

Low Life Records was an independent record label from London established in 1992, promoting and releasing UK hip hop music.

History

Low Life was owned by Braintax. The label's signed artists included many UK hip hop artists such as; Braintax himself, Task Force, Skinnyman, Jehst, Harry Love, Verb T, Mystro, Asaviour, Dubbledge, Micall Parknsun & Rodney P. Low Life released around 70 records, including 12" singles, EPs and LPs.

Cessation

Low Life came to an abrupt end in 2008 when Braintax announced his retirement and release of his last record; 'My Last and Best Album'. This came as a shock and disappointment to many UK hip hop fans. According to various sources, many of the artists signed to Low Life felt as if they had been ripped off/underpaid by Braintax[9] [10] – however Braintax stated in an interview, "There's been too much stress, mainly the large amount of bullshit you have to contend with when you run a record label. If you're not ripping people off then you're busy not trying hard enough to sell records that no one wants to buy."[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview: Mr Scruff Quirky hip-hop legend takes time out to chat to Mike Ellis. https://web.archive.org/web/20090501064839/http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/5149-interview-mr-scruff. 1 May 2009. Mike Ellis. 27 November 2008.
  2. Web site: Braintax – the Final Chapter | Rapnews.co.uk UK rap, grime and hiphop… . https://archive.today/20130421093121/http://rapnews.co.uk/?p=1176 . 21 April 2013 . dead.
  3. Web site: A Farewell From inthemix: Thanks For All The Memories. 31 October 2018. Junkee.com.
  4. Birofunk – Braintax. 2002. The Wire. 23.
  5. Web site: Braintax – Biro Funk . ukhh.com . 10 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120913022403/http://www.ukhh.com/oldreviews/lp/453.html . 13 September 2012 . dead .
  6. Arts Diary . New Statesman . 23 October 2006 . 10 December 2013.
  7. Web site: Review of Braintax – Panorama . BBC . 23 October 2006 . 10 December 2013.
  8. Web site: Braintax at Low Life Records . https://web.archive.org/web/20080210000614/http://www.lowliferecords.co.uk/Artist.asp?ID=12. 10 February 2008.
  9. Web site: LEWIS PARKER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH UKHH.COM. UKHH.com. 3 April 2012. 24 March 2024.
  10. Web site: The story behind Skinnyman’s Council Estate of Mind. TheFace.com. 2 May 2019. 24 March 2024.
  11. Web site: Braintax – The final chapter. Rapnews.co.uk. 12 March 2008 . 3 August 2015.