Slave & Otis

{{Short description|New Zealand hip hop MCs and television presenters}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2014}} {{Other people |Mark Williams (disambiguation){{!}}Mark Williams}} {{Infobox person | name = Slave & Otis | image =  | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = '''Mark James Williams''' {{birth year and age|1971}} '''Otis Frizzell''' {{birth year and age|1971}} | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | other_names = MC OJ & Rhythm Slave, Joint Force, Opto (Frizzell) | occupation = '''Slave:''' MC, TV presenter, radio host, record producer '''Otis:''' MC, TV presenter, radio host, graffiti artist, tattoo artist, graphic designer, chef | known_for = MC OJ & Rhythm Slave, Joint Force, ''Mo' Show'' }}

'''Mark James "Slave" Williams''' (born 1971) and '''Otis Frizzell''' (born 1971) are a New Zealand duo known as hip hop MCs and television and radio presenters. Together they are known for their musical work in the 1990s as MC OJ & Rhythm Slave and Joint Force, and their radio and television work in later years.

As well as their work as a duo, each is known for his own achievements. Otis Frizzell, son of pop-artist Dick Frizzell, is a graffiti artist, sometimes working under the name Opto.<ref>{{cite web|title=TBI Q&A: Otis Frizzell|url=http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/news/tbi-qna/73630-tbi-qa-otis-frizzell|publisher=The Big Idea|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> With his wife Sarah Frizzell, he also runs an acclaimed taco truck in Auckland.<ref>{{cite web|title=THE LUCKY TACO|url=http://foodhub.co.nz/news/news-articles/547/The-Lucky-Taco/|publisher=The Food Hub|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Crowdfunding key for taco truck|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/69964421/crowdfunding-key-for-taco-truck|website=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax|accessdate=3 September 2015}}</ref> As MC Slave, Mark Williams produces and MCs with Wellington group Fat Freddy's Drop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fat Freddy's Drop|url=http://www.facebook.com/fatfreddysdropnz|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>

== MC OJ & Rhythm Slave ==

The duo's first creative collaboration was as hip hop duo MC OJ & Rhythm Slave, best known for their 1990 single "That's The Way (Positivity)", based around a sample from "That's the Way (I Like It)" by KC and the Sunshine Band. The pair met at Selwyn College in the late '80s and started performing together, playing at house parties and getting minor gigs.<ref name="audioculture">{{cite web|last=Shute|first=Gareth|title=MC OJ and Rhythm Slave Profile|url=http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/mc-oj-and-rhythm-slave|publisher=Audio Culture|accessdate=20 August 2013}}</ref> They were signed to Murray Cammick's Southside Records and released their first single, "That's The Way (Positivity)" in 1990, reaching #12 in the charts. Further singles included "Money Worries" with guest vocals from Push Push frontman Mikey Havoc; and safe sex anthem "Body Rhymes (Protect Yourself)" with guest vocals from Teremoana Rapley of Moana and the Moahunters.<ref>{{cite web|title=MC OJ & Rhythm Slave|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/mc-oj-and-rhythm-slave/artist|publisher=NZ On Screen |accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MC OJ and Rhythm Slave|url=http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/40008/mc-oj-and-rhythm-slave.html|publisher=Amplifier|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>

== Joint Force ==

In the mid 1990s, Mark and Otis teamed up with DJ and producer DLT of Upper Hutt Posse and formed the hip hop group '''Joint Force'''. They released the ''One Inch Punch'' EP in 1995 on BMG records. The trio (along with director Josh Frizzell) also made an ambitious two-part video for their single "Static", that was nominated for Best Music Video at the 1996 New Zealand Music Awards.<ref name=nzma1996>{{cite web|title=1996 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1996-winners/|publisher=NZ Music Awards|accessdate=3 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419131403/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1996-winners/|archivedate=19 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> With the track remixed by Mario Caldato, Jr., "Static (part 1)" was based around a stylish, Tarantino-inspired crime drama, with little focus on the song itself.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joint Force - Static (Part 1)| date=2 May 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixUc7Fw_Pxo|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> "Static (part 2)" was a basic video of the trio performing the song in a dark studio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joint Force - Static, part 2| date=9 December 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1-DtFXWsjw|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>

This was the duo's last project as hip hop performers, though the pair remained active in the New Zealand hip hop community. Slave produced the 1998 compilation album ''Aotearoa Hip Hop Vol 1'' and was a regular host of the Aotearoa hip hop summit.<ref name="audioculture"/>

== Radio ==

In 1994, Slave was approached by bFM radio station manager Graeme Hill to put together a weekly hip hop show, along with DJ Sir-Vere, Bass and DLT. This became the long-running ''True School Hip Hop Show''.<ref name="audioculture"/><ref>{{cite web|title=AKL: The World Famous True School Hip-Hop Show|url=http://back2basics.hiphopnz.com/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=16232|publisher=Back 2 Basics|accessdate=20 August 2013}}</ref> Together Mark and Otis were the long-running hosts of their radio show ''Slave and Otis'', the Wednesday Drive show on bFM. In 2004 the duo moved to host the breakfast show on Auckland station Base FM.<ref>{{cite web|title=Slave and Otis Head to Base|url=http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/newsitem/pi_newsitemid/164|publisher=NZ Musician|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>

== ''Mo' Show'' ==

From 2001 to 2003, Mark and Otis starred in their own TV series, ''Mo' Show'' on TV2. Inspired by hip hop culture, the duo travelled around the world with digital cameras, exploring places and meeting interesting and creative people, including celebrities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mo' Show|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/mo-show-2001/series|publisher=NZ On Screen |accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> The series was nominated for Best Entertainment Series at the 2002 New Zealand Television Awards, and won in the same category at the 2003 awards.

== Other work ==

At the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, Slave and Otis presented the Legacy Award to funk-rock group Supergroove.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Lorde reigns supreme at 2014 VNZMAs|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1411/S00412/lorde-reigns-supreme-at-2014-vnzmas.htm|website=Scoop|date=20 November 2014|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref>

==Discography==

===Albums as MC OJ & Rhythm Slave===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Details ! Peak chart positions |- ! NZ |- | 1991 | ''What Can We Say?'' | * Label: Southside Records * Catalogue: L 30660 | align="center" | — |- |}

===Singles as MC OJ & Rhythm Slave===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" width="1em" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Album |- ! NZ<ref>{{cite web|title=MC OJ & Rhythm Slave discography|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=MC+OJ+%26+Rhythm+Slave&titel=Money+Worries&cat=s|publisher=charts.nz|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> |- | 1990 | "That's The Way (Positivity)" | align="center" | 12 | rowspan=4 | ''What Can We Say?'' |- | rowspan=2 | 1991 | "Money Worries" | align="center" | 36 |- | "Body Rhymes (Protect Yourself)" | align="center" | — |- | 1992 | "Joined at the Hip Hop" | align="center" | — |- |colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |- |}

===EPs as Joint Force===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! rowspan="2" | Details ! Peak chart positions |- ! NZ<ref name=jointchart>{{cite web|title=Joint Force discography|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Joint+Force|publisher=charts.nz|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> |- | 1995 | ''One Inch Punch'' | * Label: BMG * Catalogue: 74321 273 202 * Format: CD | align="center" | 21 |- | 1995 | ''Burntime Style Remix'' | * Label: BMG * Catalogue: JOINT1 * Format: 12" vinyl | align="center" | — |- |}

===Singles as Joint Force===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! rowspan="2" width="1em" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Title ! Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" | Album |- ! NZ<ref name=jointchart /> |- | 1995 | "Static" | align="center" | 21 | ''One Inch Punch'' EP |- |colspan="4" style="font-size:90%" align="center" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |- |}

==Awards==

{{awards table}} |- | rowspan="2" | 1992 | MC OJ & Rhythm Slave - ''What Can We Say?'' | 1992 NZ Music Awards - Album of the Year | {{nom}}<ref name=nzma1992>{{cite web|title=1992 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1992-winners/|publisher=NZ Music Awards|accessdate=3 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419131403/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2009/10/29/1992-winners/|archivedate=19 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |- | Dick Frizzell - ''What Can We Say?'' | 1992 NZ Music Awards - Best Cover | {{nom}}<ref name=nzma1992 /> |- | rowspan="3" | 1996 | Otis Frizzell | 1996 NZ Music Awards - Most Promising Male Vocalist | {{nom}}<ref name=nzma1996 /> |- | Joint Force | 1996 NZ Music Awards - Most Promising Group | {{nom}}<ref name=nzma1996 /> |- | M Noonan and J Frizzell - "Static (Part 1)" | 1996 NZ Music Awards - Best Video | {{nom}}<ref name=nzma1996 /> |- | 2002 | ''Mo' Show'' | 2002 NZ Television Awards - Best Entertainment Series | {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Guide New Zealand Television Awards 2002|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0206/S00057.htm|publisher=Scoop|accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref> |- | 2003 | ''Mo' Show'' | 2003 NZ Television Awards - Best Entertainment Series | {{won}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Public chooses Campbell at NZ Television Awards|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3519481|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=3 April 2013|date=22 August 2003}}</ref> |- | 2009 | Otis Frizzell - ''Dr Boondigga and the Big BW'' | 2009 NZ Music Awards - Best Cover | {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web|title=2009 Winners|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2010/03/29/2009-winners/|publisher=NZ Music Awards|accessdate=3 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808170750/http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/2010/03/29/2009-winners/|archivedate=8 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/mc-oj-and-rhythm-slave MC OJ and Rhythm Slave profile at Audio Culture]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Otis, Slave and}} Category:New Zealand radio presenters Category:New Zealand television presenters Category:New Zealand hip-hop groups Category:People educated at Selwyn College, Auckland