A list like this without Saukrates just takes away all forms of credibility to me. Just my two cents although I don’t actually know the criteria for their list. Anyways, shouts to The Vancouver Sun newspaper for upping their hip-hop quotient. Features Maestro, Shad, Drizzy, k-os and more…
Few success stories in recent memory can compete with the sudden, startling rise to fame of Drake, a homegrown hero who has made more inroads in the U.S. than any Canadian rapper to date.
His full-length debut, Thank Me Later, arrives in stores and online this week amid an avalanche of hype and expectation. After a pair of Grammy nominations, two Juno wins and collaborations with Eminem, Alicia Keys and Kanye West, he’s within breathing distance of the hip-hop elite. Clearly, his days as an actor on Degrassi: The Next Generation are long behind him.
Although the 23-year-old (born Aubrey Graham) is head and shoulders above the competition in Canada, Drake is a new chapter in a book that has been in progress for more than 20 years. The rap scene in Canada — low in visibility but high in quality — has always been brimming with talent, as evidenced by the list below.
BIG SHOUTS to my man DJ Fase for basically providing a clinic on how artists/producers should effectively send their product to deejays and blogs (quality graphics for posting, audio-previewable links ready to go, Dj Packs AND Wavs.. all in one email?!! .. I salute you my man, lol).
Toronto, ON – Last week, Canadian rapper P. Reign shot the video to his third single “In My Hood”, produced by T-Minus (Ludacris) off his upcoming mixtape with DJ Holiday (Bricksquad/1017) When It Reigns it Pours. The shoot took place in his old neighborhood of Galloway in Toronto.
Rapper and friend Drake, showed up to support as well as reggae artist/actor Louie Rankin (Belly/Shottas). One of the set locations was disrupted by local police enforcement, and unfortunately there are no photos of the incident, only video footage which I will be sending later on in the week. P. Reign is set to go on tour with Drake across Canada next month. Click the jump for photos and more info.
“Drake and I have been good friends for a while now and he’s a big supporter of my music,” P. Reign told BOSSIP.com . “He’s like a brother to me. I know he’s real busy with his touring and promo, so I’m glad he was able to come out and show love.”
Caught this in the paper the other day. Here’s the online version! Shouts to Shad who continues to KILL IT. He just sold out The Opera House on the weekend and has basically been featured in every media outlet known to man. TSOL is in stores now!
You may think of Shad as a savvy rapper influenced by smart hip-hop acts like Common, Ras Kass and OutKast, but you’d be surprised at some of his influences.
Shad’s work is often defined by his political convictions and deep personal introspection. At The Same Time, one of the more serious, guitar-driven cuts from his new album, TSOL (Maple), has a noticeable punk message.
“That was largely inspired by Billy Bragg. I’m a big fan of his work,” says Shad from his Vancouver kitchen. “I think hip-hop changes on its own – every day, month and year. The range of influences is constantly growing.”
Via 1LoveTO! This might actually be the greatest sh*t in the world.
Tuesday June 15th marked the release date for Drake’s Thank Me Later album. 1 Love T.O. (T-Rexxx & Brock) was on hand to meet some of the die hard fans that waited outside of the downtown HMV for hours on end just to get a copy of the highly anticipated debut album.
Shout out to everybody that came out & showed love. Be sure to buy Thank Me Later & support Toronto’s very own Drizzy Drake!!!
Ish gets his visual game on with the release of his first music video for “Hustle To Be Free” off his recently released mixtape, The Name Is Ish (below)! Video directed by Grandson & Son.
