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Biography:
Formed by Kool Shen (Bruno Lopes), Joey Starr (Didier Morville) and DJ'S, NTM (a slang abbreviation that roughly translated to a sexual act involving one's mother) came to prominence in the nascent period of French hip-hop, and would remain in the public (non-musical) eye with their heated confrontations with authority. The core duo of Shen and Starr first began work on their craft in 1989, and within a year were featured on a Paris radio program, and competed in the Coupe de Paris des DJs. Their first foray into the studio, to record the track &"Je Rappe" for the Rapattitude compilation, led to a national tour, which would be just the ticket to score them a deal with music giant Sony. Their debut single quickly followed, and within a year, the band released their first album, 1991's Authentik. More success followed the band that year, as they were invited to the New Music Seminar in New York City, and play a triumphant show at Paris' Le Zénith. Their next album, however, would become not only the source of their greatest -- or most infamous -- hit, but also would begin a series of run-ins with the long arm of the law. A single from the album 1993...J'appuie Sur la Gâchette, &"Police," took direct aim at the French police, and made accusations to their incompetence and corruption. A case was filed against the group, and while the case was thrown out, boycotts and noteriety began to become a regular bedfellow of NTM. 1995 saw the release of their next album, the more accomplished and sophisticated Paris Sous les Bombes. While commercial success and a continuing upward movement in ability were becoming the norm for NTM, so was further flak from the &"Police" single. Concert promoters became wary of the group, and police again brought charges against NTM after an anti-cop tirade preceded their performance of the song. Over the next couple of years, the band was distracted by jail time (Joey Starr was found guilty of assaulting a flight attendant) and outside business interests -- both Starr and Shen had outside labels (B.O.S.S. and IV My People, respectively) and output of NTM slowed to a near halt. A few remixes of classic NTM material, as well as an EP, surfaced, but outside of compilation material, NTM had ceased releasing original work. 2002 saw Joey Starr begin a solo career. Chris True, All Music Guide