MC Serch

Widely recognized as one of the most respected white rappers, MC Serch (born Michael Berrin) made up one-third of 3rd Bass. After three full-lengths with Pete Nice and DJ Richie Rich — two studio albums and a remix collection — Serch went solo with 1992's Return of the Product. Like the 3rd Bass releases, it came out on Def Jam. One of the singles from the album, an extension of Main Source's "Back to the Grill," featured a return performance from Nas and hit the top of the Billboard rap chart; Serch also primed Nas for stardom by tapping his "Halftime" for the Zebrahead soundtrack and working with him on Illmatic, both of which he executive produced. Once Serch receded from the MC spotlight, he ran a promotions company and also became a radio host. In 2002, he took over WJLB Detroit's morning program — he became the first nonblack DJ at the station since Casey Kasem's run in the '50s.