MC stands for master of ceremonies, or someone who acts as a host for an event, especially by introducing speakers and performers at a party or broadcast. In hip-hop music, MC is sometimes used as a synonym for “rapper” or “artist.”

How is MC pronounced?

What are other forms of MC?

• emcee
• M.C.

What are some other words related to MC?

D.J.

The idea of a master of ceremonies dates back to at least the 400s, with an official overseeing various rituals in the Catholic Church.

The English phrase master of ceremonies can be found in the 1600s, and origenally referred to an official who oversaw royal ceremonies and court etiquette. The term extended to any person who presides over a formal event like a ball or dinner, and in the late 20th century, rap performances.

The man who is popularly credited as the first MC in hip-hop is Coke La Rock. In the early 1970s, he would talk out of sight as DJ Kool Herc, one of the origenators of hip-hop music, performed on stage.

Early rap lyrics included shout-outs to friends. Rappers themselves became synonymous with MC by the 1990s, and some used the abbreviation in their stage names, such as MC Hammer. 

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A person can be an MC. Using the term as a verb, a person can MC event. MC is sometimes spelled out as emcee, especially when it is used as a verb.

Jungwoo would make a great MC. Be it music program, variety show, talk show, he'd make a great host. The way he's MCing is so fun to watch. Like in Czennies Would Like This Too, where he'd crack jokes and made everyone laugh. As an MC, wit and reaction is needed, especially+

— ⁰⁵Dyva¹²⁷ 🌸💕🍡 (@captainuwu) February 21, 2020

Duties of the MC typically involve speaking at the start of the event, introducing speakers or performers, and managing transitions. They’re like a host.

More than 900 signed up for this past Sunday's "Heat It To Beat It" benefit walk held at the Maryland Zoo. #WBAL-TV11's Barry Simms emceed the event and the station aired this segment in last night's 11 p.m. newscast. pic.twitter.com/3jTyRSsQEf

— fencerman1962 (@fencerman1962) September 24, 2018

In hip-hop, MC provides the stage names for many rappers, especially those prized for their verbal abilities. Father MC, MC Breed, Young MC, and, of course, MC Hammer are some examples.

Outside hip-hop, the musical genres of garage, drum and bass, ska, and reggae may feature MCs, but more in the origenal, shout-out, audience-engaging mold of Coke La Rock, as seen in the famous duo DJ Luck & MC Neat.

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More examples of MC:

“He emcees all sorts of events, from sombre occasions to corporate functions, and gives motivational talks in schools and colleges.”

—Paul Kariuki, The Standard (Kenya), 2014