Toronto Spotlight
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Considering that So Far Gone dropped fashionably late on its release date, I’m pleasantly surprised that this dropped before the midnight deadline. It goes without saying that I’m looking forward to Thank Me Later, especially since it’ll be my home city’s next big opportunity to really break through. Whatever happens with the album though, I’ll continue to stand behind Drake due to his contribution to the Toronto scene. Home-town bias aside, “Over” is for sure a promising first buzz track. The Boi-1da beat, as tight as it is with the strings and the snares, might not connect well with mainstream radio, but it will for sure be on high rotation at your local hip-hop radio station some time soon. Lyrically, Drake delivers with his usual style, and I’m glad to hear that he’s staying true to his Comeback Season/So Far Gone flow as opposed to conforming to Wayne’s style. Thank him later. Download: Drake – “Over” Kardi is one of the pillars of the Toronto hip-hop scene, and one of the few rappers that still kills it with the West Indies flow. Presumably off of his upcoming album, Mr. International, “We Gon Go” looks at the rudebwoy’s past and present artists/producers he admires. I was afraid this was going to just be an excuse to name-drop the first time I heard it, but thankfully this song has substance and is a worthy buzz single. If you’re from the dot and you’re a hip-hop head, then there’s no excuse for you not to know about Kardi’s history as an artist. Everyone else, know some songs other than “Dangerous” because this dude is not one to be overlooked. Weekends are usually pretty slow, so I might as well throw in another “While You Were Sleeping” post. MSTRKRFT (pronounced “master-craft”) are a DJ duo from Toronto, consisting of Al-P and Jesse Keeler, whom you’d know if you were familiar with the band Death From Above 1979. They have an electro vibe that is very similar to that of French duo Justice, who might be releasing another album this year. Heartbreaker is off of MSTRKRFT’s most recent album, Fist Of Gold, which also features N.O.R.E. of CNN. Hip-hop and electro/house music complement each other much better than most would assume, which makes perfect sense since hip-hop started at the parties (and not in the streets as kids these days are so quick to think). MSTRKRFT and their musical niche will only be getting bigger as time moves on, so jump on it before everyone else does.
Tagged: al-p, death from above 1979, dfa, heartbreaker, jesse keeler, john legend, mstrkrft, music video, Toronto
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Got an award and a couple nominates / But an Akon chorus kept my Book from a trophy. Pardon the tacky artwork, but don’t let that throw you off. For those of you States-side, I have to explain why the above line is the dirtiest line I’ve heard all year. At last year’s Junos (the Canadian Grammys), D-Sisive’s The Book was nominated for Best Rap Album against Kardinal Offishall’s Not 4 Sale, which if you recall was led by the strength of the single “Dangerous” feat. Akon. The Book was much more highly acclaimed critically and by fans than Not 4 Sale, yet still lost. Canada might not produce many great mainstream rappers, but our underground is fire (fuck being modest!).After dropping three albums last year, D-Sisive is already back at it, this time inspired by a documentary called “Anvil! The Story Of Anvil” and the Dead man’s Bones LP. Read the rest of this entry (yes, I still have more to say) and download the track after the jump. Read the rest of this entry » I’m proud to say that Toronto is the home to incredible R&B talent. I’ve already written about Ms. Melanie Fiona (who is nominated for a Grammy), but now I’ve got to introduce Rhea, the newest member of N*E*R*D. Above is a video of the song she sang to audition for Pharell and company, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”. This song has been around for over 100 years now (published in 1905) and has been covered by icons such as Marvin Gaye and Lauryn Hill. It’s good to see that classic R&B hasn’t been forgotten among the new artists. Although I’ve never been a fan of melismas (those voice riffs a la Mariah Carey), Rhea’s control is so on point that they sound natural and effortless. If you weren’t looking forward to N*E*R*D’s next album, now you have a reason. Shouts to cityonmyback for this one.
Hosted by Clipse and mixed by one of Toronto’s biggest DJs, Wristpect, “Bridging the Gap Vol. 4″ is a collection of tracks from VA to TO. Alongside Clipse, the Re-Up Gang and its affiliates, there are plenty of heavy-hitters from the screwface capital that appear on this tape (Kardi, JD Era, Saukrates, etc.). This plays out more as a Clipse tape featuring Toronto artists then a TO/VA collaboration, which is kind of disappointing. Regardless, if you’ve got some free time on your hands (with 57 tracks, you’re going to need alot of it), download this tape. Tracklist and download link after the jump.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Toronto native Shaun Boothe is best known for his Unauthorized Biography series in which he writes biographical songs based on African-American icons ranging from Hendrix to Puffy to MLK (watch the music videos here). Off of his upcoming album, Hip-Hop in 3D, Mr. Boothe and Talib trade off rhyming duties for a concept song about…concept songs. Toronto bias notwithstanding, this, “Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica and the Reflection Eternal track that dropped today are the best songs to drop this month. |
