# Stretch MC – North East Makina / Hangar 13 & New Monkey
**Stretch MC**, real name **Paul Megson**, is a long-running North East rave MC from the Newcastle area who has been active since **2002**.
Although Stretch had an early connection with **The New Monkey**, his own artist biography says he was mainly associated with **Hangar 13**, before going on to perform at clubs and events around the UK.
## Starting Out in the North East
Stretch emerged during the early-2000s North East Makina era.
One surviving New Monkey recording documents **MC Tazo & MC Stretch** performing over a **Chrissy G set on 14 September 2002**.
That gives us a confirmed recording of Stretch from more than 20 years ago.
But Stretch's story extends well beyond the New Monkey.
**Hangar 13** became particularly important to his career and is the venue most closely associated with his early MCing according to his current artist biography.
## The Untouchables
Stretch is also associated with the North East MC combination known as:
**The Untouchables**
Featuring:
**MC Stretch
MC Scotty Jay
MC Impulse**
The three-MC combination became remembered by Makina listeners for performing together over the fast North East rave sound.
## Still Performing
Stretch never simply disappeared into the rave archives.
He's continued performing and recording across Makina, Hardcore, Hard Trance and other areas of dance music.
In December 2024, **Nanna Makina** performed at NX Newcastle with **MC Tazo B2B Stretch MC**.
That set survives online and shows two MCs associated with the old North East Makina era performing for a modern Newcastle crowd.
## Still Going in 2026
More than two decades after those early recordings, **Stretch MC is still active in 2026**.
He appeared at **Andy Whitby & Friends at Digital Newcastle in February 2026** and is also on the line-up for **Hysteria – England vs Scotland at Powerhouse Newcastle on 25 September 2026**.
His current artist profile describes him as continuing to work with producers and perform across the UK.
That's an impressive run for somebody whose surviving North East rave recordings date back to 2002.
## More Than Just MCing
There's another side to Stretch's story that's worth remembering.
Paul has spoken about using writing and MCing to deal with difficult periods in his life.
After learning that his mother Dawn was terminally ill with breast cancer, he turned to something he'd grown up around — **Makina and writing lyrics**.
It's an example of why North East MC culture meant more to some of the people involved than simply shouting over rave tunes.
The lyrics could tell stories, express emotions and give people somewhere to put what was happening in their lives.
## Part of North East Rave History
From **Hangar 13 and the New Monkey era** through to modern Newcastle events, Stretch has been part of the North East rave scene for more than two decades.
The venues have changed and a new generation has discovered Makina, but Stretch is still getting behind the microphone.
That makes him an interesting link between the **original early-2000s North East Makina generation and the scene that's still going today**.
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## Do You Remember Stretch MC?
Did you see **Stretch at Hangar 13, New Monkey or another North East rave**?
Do you remember **The Untouchables – Stretch, Scotty Jay & Impulse**?
Have you got any old Stretch tapes, CDs, flyers, photos or recordings?
Post your memories and links below and help us build the **WGR North East Rave Archive**.
**Weedy Garage Radio – Keeping North East Rave History Alive.**
