Formed in 1988, P.M. Dawn was a Jersey City, New Jersey-based R&B/hip-hop duo comprised of brothers Attrell Cordes (AKA Prince Be or Prince Be the Nocturnal) and Jarrett Cordes (AKA DJ Minutemix). They are best known for their 1991 hit “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss”, which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and entered the Top 10 in the UK, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and other countries. The song features a sample of Spandau Ballet’s “True”, originally a hit single in 1983. P.M. Dawn released their first single, “Ode To A Forgetful Mind”, in 1989. They didn’t achieve massive success until the release of their Gee Street Records debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience, in 1991. They became a crossover sensation, appealing to hip-hop and pop fans alike. The album reached Number 8 in the UK and Number 48 in the U.S. The album spawned four singles including “Set Adrift…” and “Paper Doll”, which reached Number 28 in the U.S. Their second album, The Bliss Album…? was released in 1993. The first single, “I’d Die Without You”, reached Number 3 in America. “Looking Through Patient Eyes” rose to Number 1 in Canada. Third single “More Than Likely” featured a guest appearance from Boy George (Culture Club). The album’s sixth single was a cover of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”. The duo’s third album, Jesus Wept, was not as successful as the first two and only two singles were released from the album. Their fourth album, 1998’s Dearest Christian, I’m So Very Sorry for Bringing You Here, Love, Dad, failed to chart and the duo left Gee Street Records. In 2000, Gee Street released The Best of P.M. Dawn while the duo released their fifth album, Fucked Music, independently. Prince Be suffered a stroke in 2005. While recovering, the duo competed – and won - alongside other music veterans on the American television series Hit Me, Baby, One More Time. Shortly thereafter, DJ Minutemix was dismissed for sexual misconduct. He was replaced by their paternal cousin Gregory Lewis Carr II (AKA Doc. G). Prince Be died of renal disease on June 17, 2016.
