MC Chris

Christopher Brendan Ward IV(born September 2, 1975), better known by the stage nameMC Chris(stylized in alllower case),is an American rapper, voice actor, comedian, and writer. He is recognized for his high-pitched voice and for blending his "geek” background with a “gangsta rap” persona, leading to the popularization of thenerdcoregenre originally pioneered byMC Frontalot.He has released ten albums, five EPs, one re-release, and a tenth-anniversary edition of his recordings withthe Lee Majors.
Ward was born inLibertyville, Illinois. He attended theSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoandNew York University'sTisch School of the Arts.
Ward contributed to severalWilliams Street Studiosshows onAdult Swim, with his most notable work being onAqua Teen Hunger Force. He served as a production assistant and voiced the characterMC Pee Pantsin multiple episodes, including "MC Pee Pants," "Sir Loin," "The Last One," and "Little Brittle".He also voiced the youngCarlin episode 18.Ward reprised his role as MC Pee Pants in the feature filmAqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatersand the PlayStation 2 gameAqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am.
He also worked onSealab 2021, contributing as a writer and voicing the recurring characterHesh Hepplewhite, as well as playing the twins who portray Dolphin Boy in a behind-the-scenes episode. Additionally, Ward was a production assistant and writer forThe Brak Show, where he contributed to episodes such as "Brakstreet" and "Shadows of Heat," and voiced a character in "Brakstreet". He also voiced Ward Willoughby in the 2002 pilot forEvan Dorkin'sWelcome to Eltingville. He further extended his contributions as a writer forSpace Ghost: Coast to Coastand made a cameo in the 2003 episode "Baffler Meal."
In October 2004, he announced his resignation from Cartoon Network on his blogto focus on his recording career. However, in 2018, it was revealed that his departure was also influenced by a deeply distressing experience while working onSealab 2021. He alleged that in 2001, he was sexually assaulted byMatt Thompson, a senior figure on the show. This incident, along with ongoing harassment and resulting trauma, ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the network.
After a temporary hiatus, he returned to Adult Swim in 2010 as a redGummi bearnamed Gummi inCheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge.He continued working onthe mc chris cartoon, crowdfunding part of the pilot's production,and planned to collaborate with the creators ofMetalocalypsefor the full series. However, the show was never completed or aired onCartoon Network, in part due to tensions stemming from the assault and unresolved issues between mc chris andThompson. Fans would later speculate that these tensions influenced Thompson's decision to focus on other projects, leading to his co-creation and executive production of the successful seriesArcherinstead.As a result, mc chris redirected his creative efforts into music, contributing theme songs for several of theSModcast Internet Radio (S.I.R.)programs, including those for the originalSModcast,Blow Hard,Bagged & Boarded, andJay & Silent Bob Get Old.
In 2018, Ward announced thatthe mc chris cartoonhad resumed production.The project was ultimately shelved due to a combination of industry challenges, including the 2021 Hollywood strikes, disruptions in streaming services, and a downturn in the streaming industry. Additionally, waning interest in Ward's music, highlighted by increasing concerns and criticisms from fans regarding his behavior and interactions,further contributed to the decision to putthe mc chris cartoonon hold indefinitely.
Ward originally performed withThe Lee Majors. While he is one of the artists most closely associated with the genre of nerdcore,he had been hesitant to accept the nerdcore label and described his music as "a genre in and of itself".as well as expressing concern over limiting himself to such a narrow audience and subject matter.He has appeared in news stories dealing with nerd culture and nerdcore.Of his nerdcore background, he said, "It's nice that a lot of folks consider me part of it. It's actually embarrassing how I used to think I was the only one playing withStar Warstoys and making music, and it just wasn't true. I have absolutely no problem with the label now."Although he has collaborated with various labels in the past, includingGood Charlotte's DC Flag, MC Chris primarily self-releases his music independently.
In July 2012, Ward instructed security guards at hisPhiladelphiashow to eject an audience member who had criticized his opening act,Richie Branson, on Twitter.Following backlash from fans, Ward issued a video apology, and the fan received a refund, later describing the humiliation in aRedditpost.The fallout had a lasting impact on Ward's career,causing him to later confirm that he would retire from touring. A farewell tour followed.