Whether by circumstance, fate or some other cosmic coincidence, Toronto Hip Hop heavyweight Theo3 and much sought after producer Phat Tony created the eclectic and richly textured “2 Week EP” during a time usually reserved for increased hibernation and inactivity. For 14 days in December, Phat Tony constructed a living, breathing musical landscape while Emcee Theo3 slid in the upstairs studio everyday after work as Coordinator of the newly opened Parkdale Youth Space in downtown west Toronto. The result is a descriptive and genre blending menu of social awareness, tongue in cheek braggadocio and topical rhymes laid out over an eye popping array of soulful musical productions.
All about the music, this concerted effort to create a time tested classic came with a renewed sense of community awareness and activism sandwiched in between healthy doses of Montreal smoked meat sandwiches from Schwartz’s deli and Tweezy’s infamous Wild Turkey spiked egg nog. So naturally, when the question was raised about what to do with the release, Tweeze, fresh off watching the latest episode of Sons of Anarchy, cigarette in hand, dropped this gem “Let’s give it to charity b.”
And there you have it, 2 weeks to create, 2 weeks to mix and 2 weeks from the Beatz to the Streetz graduate showcase on January 25th 2011, Phat Tony & Theo3 will release “the 2 week EP” with the goal of raising $1500 for Toronto youth program Beatz to da Streetz.
hyperadmin | Audio,Music | Monday, January 10th, 2011
Shad & Dallas Green kick off the new year with the very limited edition vinyl release of a project called “Two Songs” – featuring “Live Forever” and a remix for “Listen”. Proceeds from the sale of the single will go to Skate4Cancer.
It’s undoubtedly clear that 2010 was a very good year for Shad. The 28-year-old London, Ontario-based rapper released his best album yet – TSOL – and even went on tour with fellow Canadian, k-os. While his first shows of the New Year find him on the road with none other than Freddie Gibbs, we’re more excited about being able to premiere a track from Shad’s collaboration with another resident of London Town.
Below is a sneak peek of “Live Forever”, which is the first track from Shad and Dallas Green’s “Two Songs” 12-inch vinyl. Sales from the single (via Dine Alone Records) will benefit Skate4Cancer, and the cut finds Green – who is the mastermind behind City and Colour – soulfully delivering the song’s chorus before the next few bars feature Shad skillfully doing what he’s come to be known for.
His style is simultaneously throwback and super-fresh and he showcases his ability jam a slew of words into just a few beats when he rapidly delivers the line, “all my single ladies/ here’s a couple lines/love takes two/ people love one mind/ here’s one year/ if you’re given six months/ you only live once/ this is double time.” The flow has come to be unmistakable, and even though listening to it pour over the production’s quiet keyboard chords is awesome, what’s better is the lyrics themselves.
“A real king doesn’t have to rule with a weapon,” Shad raps at the end of the nearly four-minute track, “what if we went to school for possession/instead of jail…I guess I still believe that love can never fail.” Pretty heavy, huh?
The b-side is a remix of Shad’s “Listen”. Pre-orders for the vinyl (which is limited to just 556 copies) ship on January 11th.
Jeremih takes lead on Drizzy & 40’s homage to TLC’s “Fanmail Intro” which last I heard was to appear on that R&B mixtape Drake was supposed to put out.
IMO – Sometimes homage is meant to be left in the hands of the original homagers.
Lincoln (formerly of the now defunct Foundation crew alongside Rochester, Jahvon, etc…) drops “You+Me” off his soon to be released Lincoln High EP. If you haven’t been keeping up with Lincoln then his new direction might come as a bit of a shock but after a listen or two I think it’s pretty evident that he’s working hard to define his own path as an artist. Get caught up on his official website!
Produced by Russel Chuck Morgan from production duo extraordinaire Chuck & Joe.
Rozay and Drizzy team up one mo gin for “Made Men”. Dunno why I thought I’d posted this already.. I always knew the black cake was spiked, but the sorrel too?
