The Untold Truth Behind P.M. Dawn’s Rise, Fall, and Legacy

P.M. Dawn was never the typical hip-hop act.

Formed by brothers Prince Be (Darryl Cordes) and DJ Minutemix (Jared Cordes) in Jersey City, New Jersey, the duo emerged in 1988 with a sound that blended rap, R&B, and dreamy pop influences.

Their name symbolized “the darkest hour before the light,” reflecting the introspective and often spiritual themes in their music.

Raised in a musical household—where their mother sang gospel and their stepfather played congas for Kool & The Gang—the brothers were steeped in rhythm and soul from an early age.

Prince Be began DJing at parties while still in high school, and together with Jared, they recorded demos and honed their craft.

Interestingly, P.M. Dawn originally included their cousin Gregory “Doc G” Cordes, but after a violent altercation with a local drug dealer, Doc G left to join the Navy, paving the way for Jared to join full-time.

Their early struggle to find a label led them to independent UK hip-hop labels, where their debut single “Ode to a Forgetful Mind” gained traction overseas before finally breaking through in the U.S.

Their 1991 debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience, featured the hit “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” which sampled Spandau Ballet’s “True.”

The song soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making P.M. Dawn the first Black rap act to top the chart with a rap single.

This was a landmark moment, as previous rap chart-toppers had been by white artists like Vanilla Ice and Marky Mark.

Despite commercial success, P.M. Dawn’s soft, melodic style alienated some in the hip-hop community, who viewed their music as too pop-oriented and lacking the “hardness” traditionally associated with rap.

This tension culminated in a notorious incident when KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions forcibly took over the stage during a P.M. Dawn performance, ejecting them and performing their own set.

The moment was painful and controversial, especially since KRS-One was known for his anti-violence activism.

Prince Be later claimed the incident was blown out of proportion and possibly a publicity stunt fueled by media bias against alternative hip-hop.

Regardless, the event underscored the challenges P.M. Dawn faced from critics who questioned their authenticity and place within the genre.

Meanwhile, Prince Be’s health was deteriorating.

He struggled with diabetes, exacerbated by poor diet and lifestyle choices.

His condition worsened over the years, leading to multiple strokes, paralysis, and eventually the amputation of one leg.

Despite these hardships, P.M. Dawn continued to make music and even competed on NBC’s reality show Hit Me Baby One More Time in 2005, winning the prize and donating it to diabetes research.

Tragedy compounded when DJ Minutemix faced serious legal accusations in 1998, accused of abusing his young cousin.

The charges were later dismissed due to lack of evidence, but the ordeal cast a shadow over the group’s reputation.

P.M. Dawn released several albums throughout the ’90s, including The Bliss Album…? (Vibrations of Love and Anger and the Ponderance of Life and Existence), which featured hits like “Looking Through Patient Eyes,” and Jesus Wept in 1995.

However, their later works failed to replicate the commercial success of their early years.

After Prince Be’s stroke in 2005, DJ Minutemix was eventually ousted from the group amid allegations of misconduct.

Doc G rejoined, and together with producer Krock, they continued to perform under the P.M. Dawn name.

This new lineup, however, faced mixed reactions from fans who felt the spirit of the original duo was lost.

The internal dynamics grew more complicated after Prince Be’s death in 2016 from renal disease related to his diabetes.

Legal disputes arose between Doc G and DJ Minutemix over the rights to the band’s name and music catalog.

Doc G accused Minutemix of stealing Prince Be’s computer containing the group’s song archives during his incapacitation, while Minutemix remained silent publicly due to ongoing litigation.

Despite these conflicts, Doc G and Krock have released new singles under the P.M. Dawn banner, striving to honor the legacy.

Yet many longtime fans remain skeptical, feeling that without Prince Be and the original chemistry, the essence of P.M. Dawn cannot be recaptured.

The story of P.M. Dawn is a poignant tale of innovation and adversity.

They challenged hip-hop norms with their ethereal sound and thoughtful lyrics, paving the way for future artists to blend genres and explore new themes.

Their journey also highlights the harsh realities artists face—health struggles, public scrutiny, personal loss, and the complexities of maintaining creative partnerships.

Prince Be’s passing marked the end of an era, but the music and influence of P.M. Dawn continue to resonate.

For many, P.M. Dawn remains a symbol of artistic courage and the bittersweet cost of fame.

Their legacy is a reminder that behind every hit song lies a human story filled with triumphs and trials.