Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, October 29, 2007
Frontline Booking Agency is a full service booking agency based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Unique aspect is that we focus solely on the Canadian urban Music scene. We have excelled in routing and mastering the Canadian touring circuit. Frontline Bookings believes in building honest relations with promoters and venues we deal with, in return providing professional talent that we stand behind and ultimately building for longevity and creating solid foundations and honest relationships with everyone that we work with in the industry. Frontline Booking agency is selective with the artists that we work with, and take pride in being one of the only all Canadian Urban booking agencies in Canada, with a exclusive list of top notch Artists available for bookings for your event, for parties, concerts, speaking engagements, DJ events, or outsourcing for tour routing's.
In the last year, the name “Arabesque” has struck up conversation with A&R’s in multinational boardrooms, editorial meetings and record pools. Added to this year’s Juno nomination, URB’s Next 1000 nod and overseas Sean Paul tour; Besque is MySpace’s feature Artist, SCIFEN clothing sponsored, this months cover of NOX Magazine, and just released his brand new video for “Nature’s Phone.” Cats continue to lose their shit, as Arabesque gets ready to string up his new Ep/Mixtape “Hang Your Heroes.” The Ep is presented by Flipmode’s first lady, Rah Digga. Prepare for the official lynching this December as Skin I’m In Records/URBNET suspend Besque by the neck.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE ARABESQUE MYSPACE PAGE
When DL Incognito's first record came out in 2002, he was proclaimed as Canada's bestkept urban secret, a newcomer breathing life into a semi-comatose hip hop scene. The album, called A Sample and a Drum Machine, dug deep into the crates to bring the authenticity of old school hip-hop back to the forefront. Earning his hip hop stripes the old-fashioned way, DL Incognito began his hip hop career in 1998,performing at showcases, rhyming on mixtapes, appearing on radio
shows and steadily developing the reputation he has grown to deserve.Five years later, and all the buzz about DL being someone to watch out for in the future has been replaced with acclaim for his present accomplishments. A veritable presence in Canadian hip-hop, DL Incognito has succeeded in building on the success of his first album. As an emcee, DL Incognito (which means 'delivering lyrics on the low') has been consistently recognized for his lyrical ability and his flow. Music magazine Exclaim! praised his first album, stating that "he [DL] came out of the box slinging similes and metaphors with punch line swagger, dope self-production and a voice reminiscent of the celebrated late MC Big L, ea rning the respect of
those who heard it." DL Incognito's appreciation for hip-hop is demonstrated by his dedication to his craft – his music achieves authenticity in a music industry that has become commercialized almost beyond recognition. Known for his live shows where DL delivers "a trip down memory lane, you get beats, rhymes and life. No gimmicks just straight hip-hop." Rounding off his set of talents, DL Incognito is equally respected as an artist and producer, while his beats
receive as much attention as his lyrics and performances. DL Incognito's forth full-length album, A Catpured Moment In Time, is slated for a October 2007 release on URBNET Records.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DL INCOGNITO MYSPACE PAGE
Not too many MC's can say they have made history…
From setting a Guinness World Record, to being on the verge of releasing his debut album, D.O. aka Defy the Odds
is just getting started on making his mark in the music industry.
With family roots in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, D.O. spent his youth moving around towns and cities
throughout Canada before settling in Toronto.
On July 5th, 2003, D.O. made Hip-Hop history by establishing the Guinness World Record for World's Longest
Freestyle Ever rapping a breathtaking 8 hours and 45 minutes.
The record feat garnered an abundance of attention in the global hip-hop community, including an article in
industry leading XXL magazine, interviews on MTV and MuchMusic, and features on Daveyd.com, Hiphopdx.com,
Allhiphop.com, and Hiphopcanada.com, amongst others.
Following the world record setting rhyme, D.O. took his show on the road. In addition to performing in Toronto
and throughout Canada, D.O. went south of the border to cities such as Detroit, Atlanta and New York City,
performing and selling CD's out of his trunk.
While on the road, D.O. crossed paths with legendary MC's including KRS-One, D.M.C. of Run D.M.C., and Wyclef.
After they found out that D.O. was the rapper that set the Guinness World Record in freestyling, each MC offered
valuable advice.
"I realized that I owed it to Hip-Hop to make music that could last beyond my lifetime," says D.O..
Returning to Toronto rejuvenated, D.O. began work on The Northstarr album. While working on his debut album,
local schools began requesting him to speak to their students. A former educator and University graduate, D.O.
created the Stay Driven program. Through Stay Driven, D.O. began touring schools - performing and encouraging
youth to use words to empower themselves. A few years later and Stay Driven has now reached over 100 schools
and 50,000 students!
In the summer of 2006, D.O. was profiled in one of mainstream medias' leading publications - Newsweek, his
rapping skills were featured on Wal-Mart's "Back 2 School" television and radio campaign, and he rocked the mic
with Hip-Hop's leading DJ - Funkmaster Flex - at a summer show in the Boogie Down Bronx - the birthplace of
Hip-Hop.
Set for release in 2007, The Northstarr includes the singles "Just Forfeit," Young Brother," and "Defy the Odds" and
features production from top beatmakers Slakah the Beatchild (Arabesque, Choclair), Tonemason (Rochester,
Talib Kweli, Game) and Classified (Maestro, MMVA for Best Rap Video 2006).
With The Northstarr, D.O. looks forward to creating more Hip-Hop history!
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE D.O. MYSPACE PAGE
Jordan’s debut album, No Dress Code is a collaboration of R&B/Soul music with an edge of Hip Hop. This record provides easy listening tracks that appeal to fans of all ages. The album has been two years in the making made up of Jordan’s best work to date. It features vocals by Classified, & Jay Bizzy, and is produced in full by Classified (Luke Boyd). The Halifax born native was first inspired to sing when asked to be the lead singer of a university jazz band, Shades of Groove, while attending St. Francis Xavier University. Jordan released two mix tapes, Bars N Hooks (Volume 1 & 2 mixed by DJ IV) to the streets of Halifax, and received strong reviews. As well, Jordan gained recognition from the Africa Nova Scotian Awards, who nominated Please Don’t Cry, featuring Ghetto Child from Volume 1 for best rap recording.
Jordan has also gained national experience by competing in Canadian Idol and successfully making it to the top 70, out of 12,000 competitors. This gave him an opportunity to perform with Canada’s best talent, while gaining television exposure, Jordan was referred to the Much Music reality show Much 911, to meet and perform in front of producers from Capitol Records, and Rap City. Since the release of Volume 1 in February 2004, Jordan has been constantly doing shows in Halifax, and across Canada. He has opened for artists such as Gary Beal’s, Young Buck, Juelz Santana, Massari, and K-OS, Jordan was also featured recently at the South by South West music festival in Austin, Texas. Jordan has been on the tour circuit as well, completing two successful tours within the last seven months, in March of 2006 he toured Western Canada with Classified, Jay Bizzy, and Mic Boyd. And most recently just finished up a very successful Canadian National Tour in support of Classifieds new record “Hitch Hikin’ Music”, where he did 28 shows starting in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and ended in Vancouver, BC. Jordan has recently just finished shooting his first video “The Feelin Fine remix” featuring Classified and Jay Bizzy, which was accepted with open arms at Much Music, and within the first week of its debut, it was the Vibe Rated video of the week, and now gets medium rotation on Much Music, and “heavy” rotation on Much Vibe.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JORDAN CROUCHER MYSPACE PAGE
Canadian talent Malicious (a.k.a Mr. Malish) is no stranger to the game. The unassuming rapper (of Barbadian descent) was already making waves at age fifteen, when he won a freestyle challenge, over hip hop icon Jeru The Damaja, which brought him rave reviews in The Source and caught the ear of industry heavyweights like Russell Simmons. Already on his own at sixteen, the undisputed Montreal freestyle king has already had a US single release. The joint Take Off was well received in major urban centers such as New York, Detroit and Chicago. He also spent time as a member of legendary outfit Offsides. The group toured Canada and Asia to support their full-length release Foul Language, in fact the first single 2def (produced by Malicious) received heavy video rotation on Much Music, MTV Canada (Top Ten Most requested) and MTV Asia. No stranger to hard work, Mr. Malish, lists his cousin the infamous R-Kade and Prince as his two major inspirations. He writes and produces all of his material and is busy putting the finishing touches to his debut album Music Starts With M, due for release Summer 06. This labor of love is aided by the Odoublef family, including super djs Team Canada (who also contribute on production as well as scratches). A crack team has been assembled to bring this project to fruition. Mix duties are being handled by Tyson Kuteyi (Gimmemoremusic) Canadas premiere knob twiddler, the video for the first single Heavy M-T-L (Heavy Metal) will be directed by hot shot RT (Randall Thorne). Malicious is ready for the payoff.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE MALICCIOUS MYSPACE PAGE
Born in Vancouver, BC Brandon "Deezuz" Down moved to Calgary with his family when he was three years old. His older brother introduced him to hip-hop when he was in grade 1 and Deezuz instantly fell in love with the culture as a whole. As the years would pass, Deezuz's knowledge and appreciation of the art form grew steadily.
Deezuz has been a member of Calgary's hiphop scene for the last 5 years. He has released 6 mixtapes on his label, Maintain One Voice Entertainment, toured throughout BC and Alberta and opened for respected artists such as The Clipse, Slum Village, Moka Only, DL Incognito and DJ Kool Herc. Deezuz is currently completing his debut album Souldenera which will be released in late 2007. The album is a blend of 80's era boom-bap fused with 70's soul. It features collaborations with Kool G Rap, Joe Scudda, as well Jaykin.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DEEZUZ MYSPACE PAGE
The Rascalz's Red 1, Fit, and DJ Kemo have been the stuff of legend since their 1993 debut Really Livin. Over the past thirteen years and five albums, the critically acclaimed Van City crew has helped pioneer Canadian hip-hop. In the process, they have garnered numerous MuchMusic Video Awards, Urban Music Awards, certified Gold records, No. 1 singles on MuchMusic, and Juno Awards (they famously declined a Juno in 1998 to protest the show's policy, which excluded urban music from the televised broadcast). With their "Northern Touch" anthem, the group united the country's top talent—including Kardinal, Choclair, Thrust, and Checkmate— propelling hip-hop to the forefront of mainstream culture.
And now Rascalz member Red 1 is breaking some ground of his own. The Van City MC is poised to drop his much-anticipated solo debut on his own recently founded Killawatt Records, to be distributed by Sony/BMG. He hopes that his Vancouver-based label will expose emerging talent of all genres, from across the country and abroad.
"This project is giving me a new hunger," the rapper explains. "It's a new focus, and a new vision."
Killawatt's premier release is Red 1's solo debut, titled Beg For Nothing. The disc gets its name from the emcee-turned-CEO's motto for dealing with the Canadian music industry.
"The hip-hop community in Canada has always had to beg," he points out. "We've had to fight to get on, to get record deals, to get radio play. I don't think we are really taken seriously. But we have been putting in work and making songs as good any artist. We tour around the world, and we represent hard for Canada. We're not begging for anything, we are out here grinding and working our asses off."
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE RED 1 MYSPACE PAGE
Moka Only is a dynamic artist with a career that spans over 10 years, 26 LP's and 400,000 records sold independently. He has won three Juno's, seven Much Music video awards and is a former member of the west coast super group Swollen Members. At an early age Moka Only discovered his love for hip hop culture entering the scene as a graffiti artist. He later began displaying his skills as a MC rhyming at house parties and then later moving to San Diego in the early 90s where began his illustrious career as a MC/ Producer. Moka Only has since established himself as one of Canadas most well-respected and
hardest-working talents. He has also gained the admiration of his peers, industry professionals and fans alike. He has collaborated with the late great Jay Dilla, Aceyalone and Oh No.In the spring of 2007 Moka Only released his critically acclaimed album "Vermilion" on URBNET Records, and is now preparing a new full length release due for release this fall.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE MOKA ONLY MYSPACE PAGE
To define Tru-Paz is to define what Hip Hop is. Hip Hop today is the epitome of Pop, the style and the music. Hip hop is also the epitome of street expression. Some view this dichotomy as a paradox, Tru-Paz views it as an opportunity. The group is composed of three core members: Akim, Boozy and DJ Unknown. Akim is the lead MC, delivering sharp and energizing vocals that cut to the heart of any issue that needs to be tackled. Boozy is the Yang to Akim's Ying. Where Akim is fierce and aggressive, Boozy is cool and smooth. His sultry blend of harmonious singing and soulful rapping gives Tru-Paz a distinct reggae feel that very few groups possess. With his powerful voice andmoving verses, Boozy is the perfect compliment to Akim's raw energy.With two solid vocal forces, DJ Unknown provides the glue that binds Tru-Paz together. With production that ranges from choppy samples over hard drums, to soulful electronic grooves over jazzy rhythmic drum loops. Unknown weaves melodies that both move the listener, as well as compliment Akim and Boozy's flows. Together, these three artists represent one goal. Together, they aspire to unite the fragmented Hip Hop community into one unstoppable force.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE TRU PAZ MYSPACE PAGE
While the art of turntablism continues to please audiences across the world, it goes without saying that DJ Dopey has played an integral part in its global success. Having performed as a DJ/Turntablist alongside pioneers like DJ Q-Bert, DJ Craze, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mix Master Mike, Dopey solidified his role amongst these innovative DJ's formally by winning the most coveted DJ title of them all, he became 2003's WORLD DMC CHAMPION. In addition to his World DMC win he is no stranger to the world DJ battle circuit, his other 1st place titles include 2001 Allies All Star Beatdown Champion (organized by world renowned turntablist crew "The Allies"), as well as 2002/2003 Vestax Canadian Champion among others.
As a founding member of the Turntable Monkz, and now a certified world champion, DJ Dopey (born Jon Ryan Santiago) took the opportunity to tour the world a few times over sharing stages with artists such as Eminem, Madlib, Slum Village, Frank N Dank, Kardinal Offishall, Gang Starr and DJ'd exclusively for DCS. He continues his globetrotting by carrying out his seasoned successes as a key group member of Notes to Self, a rap crew from Toronto currently seeking label and management opportunities world wide. Dopey's found time to be an integral part of their creative process, spending much of his free time off tour in the Studio with Notes writing and recording, contributing a few years worth of hard work to their up and coming world debut release. As one of Canada's premiere talents, DJ Dopey has also collaborated and has contributed to other projects with artists such as Saukrates, Choclair and DCS.
In his 10 years as a DJ/Turntablist, Dopey has accomplished a great deal; he has "battled" his way to the top, he's performed alongside the world's best DJ's and musicians, and has now taken to the studio portion of being an artist where he now perfects his recorded arts. Dopey is now poised to help present the world to Notes to Self, a rap group that will finally help realize his first official recorded contribution as a commercial release on their debut full-length. DJ Dopey is a rare and humbled talent that will continue to push the limits, not just as a DJ but as a recording artist as well.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DJ DOPEY MYSPACE PAGE
Arabesque - Natures Phone Remix
Arabesque - Stardust
DL Incognito - Live in My element
DL Incognito - Make a difference
D.O. - Defy the Odds
D.O. - Just Forfeit
Jordan Croucher - Feelin Fine
Jordan Croucher - Selfish times
Malicious - Heatwave
Malicious - Breakfast
Red 1 - No fuss
Tru Paz - Dust urself off
DJ Dopey - DMC Technics World DJ Championship 2003
In the last year, the name “Arabesque” has struck up conversation with A&R’s in multinational boardrooms, editorial meetings and record pools. Added to this year’s Juno nomination, URB’s Next 1000 nod and overseas Sean Paul tour; Besque is MySpace’s feature Artist, SCIFEN clothing sponsored, this months cover of NOX Magazine, and just released his brand new video for “Nature’s Phone.” Cats continue to lose their shit, as Arabesque gets ready to string up his new Ep/Mixtape “Hang Your Heroes.” The Ep is presented by Flipmode’s first lady, Rah Digga. Prepare for the official lynching this December as Skin I’m In Records/URBNET suspend Besque by the neck.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE ARABESQUE MYSPACE PAGE
When DL Incognito's first record came out in 2002, he was proclaimed as Canada's bestkept urban secret, a newcomer breathing life into a semi-comatose hip hop scene. The album, called A Sample and a Drum Machine, dug deep into the crates to bring the authenticity of old school hip-hop back to the forefront. Earning his hip hop stripes the old-fashioned way, DL Incognito began his hip hop career in 1998,performing at showcases, rhyming on mixtapes, appearing on radio
shows and steadily developing the reputation he has grown to deserve.Five years later, and all the buzz about DL being someone to watch out for in the future has been replaced with acclaim for his present accomplishments. A veritable presence in Canadian hip-hop, DL Incognito has succeeded in building on the success of his first album. As an emcee, DL Incognito (which means 'delivering lyrics on the low') has been consistently recognized for his lyrical ability and his flow. Music magazine Exclaim! praised his first album, stating that "he [DL] came out of the box slinging similes and metaphors with punch line swagger, dope self-production and a voice reminiscent of the celebrated late MC Big L, ea rning the respect of
those who heard it." DL Incognito's appreciation for hip-hop is demonstrated by his dedication to his craft – his music achieves authenticity in a music industry that has become commercialized almost beyond recognition. Known for his live shows where DL delivers "a trip down memory lane, you get beats, rhymes and life. No gimmicks just straight hip-hop." Rounding off his set of talents, DL Incognito is equally respected as an artist and producer, while his beats
receive as much attention as his lyrics and performances. DL Incognito's forth full-length album, A Catpured Moment In Time, is slated for a October 2007 release on URBNET Records.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DL INCOGNITO MYSPACE PAGE
Not too many MC's can say they have made history…
From setting a Guinness World Record, to being on the verge of releasing his debut album, D.O. aka Defy the Odds
is just getting started on making his mark in the music industry.
With family roots in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, D.O. spent his youth moving around towns and cities
throughout Canada before settling in Toronto.
On July 5th, 2003, D.O. made Hip-Hop history by establishing the Guinness World Record for World's Longest
Freestyle Ever rapping a breathtaking 8 hours and 45 minutes.
The record feat garnered an abundance of attention in the global hip-hop community, including an article in
industry leading XXL magazine, interviews on MTV and MuchMusic, and features on Daveyd.com, Hiphopdx.com,
Allhiphop.com, and Hiphopcanada.com, amongst others.
Following the world record setting rhyme, D.O. took his show on the road. In addition to performing in Toronto
and throughout Canada, D.O. went south of the border to cities such as Detroit, Atlanta and New York City,
performing and selling CD's out of his trunk.
While on the road, D.O. crossed paths with legendary MC's including KRS-One, D.M.C. of Run D.M.C., and Wyclef.
After they found out that D.O. was the rapper that set the Guinness World Record in freestyling, each MC offered
valuable advice.
"I realized that I owed it to Hip-Hop to make music that could last beyond my lifetime," says D.O..
Returning to Toronto rejuvenated, D.O. began work on The Northstarr album. While working on his debut album,
local schools began requesting him to speak to their students. A former educator and University graduate, D.O.
created the Stay Driven program. Through Stay Driven, D.O. began touring schools - performing and encouraging
youth to use words to empower themselves. A few years later and Stay Driven has now reached over 100 schools
and 50,000 students!
In the summer of 2006, D.O. was profiled in one of mainstream medias' leading publications - Newsweek, his
rapping skills were featured on Wal-Mart's "Back 2 School" television and radio campaign, and he rocked the mic
with Hip-Hop's leading DJ - Funkmaster Flex - at a summer show in the Boogie Down Bronx - the birthplace of
Hip-Hop.
Set for release in 2007, The Northstarr includes the singles "Just Forfeit," Young Brother," and "Defy the Odds" and
features production from top beatmakers Slakah the Beatchild (Arabesque, Choclair), Tonemason (Rochester,
Talib Kweli, Game) and Classified (Maestro, MMVA for Best Rap Video 2006).
With The Northstarr, D.O. looks forward to creating more Hip-Hop history!
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE D.O. MYSPACE PAGE
Jordan’s debut album, No Dress Code is a collaboration of R&B/Soul music with an edge of Hip Hop. This record provides easy listening tracks that appeal to fans of all ages. The album has been two years in the making made up of Jordan’s best work to date. It features vocals by Classified, & Jay Bizzy, and is produced in full by Classified (Luke Boyd). The Halifax born native was first inspired to sing when asked to be the lead singer of a university jazz band, Shades of Groove, while attending St. Francis Xavier University. Jordan released two mix tapes, Bars N Hooks (Volume 1 & 2 mixed by DJ IV) to the streets of Halifax, and received strong reviews. As well, Jordan gained recognition from the Africa Nova Scotian Awards, who nominated Please Don’t Cry, featuring Ghetto Child from Volume 1 for best rap recording.
Jordan has also gained national experience by competing in Canadian Idol and successfully making it to the top 70, out of 12,000 competitors. This gave him an opportunity to perform with Canada’s best talent, while gaining television exposure, Jordan was referred to the Much Music reality show Much 911, to meet and perform in front of producers from Capitol Records, and Rap City. Since the release of Volume 1 in February 2004, Jordan has been constantly doing shows in Halifax, and across Canada. He has opened for artists such as Gary Beal’s, Young Buck, Juelz Santana, Massari, and K-OS, Jordan was also featured recently at the South by South West music festival in Austin, Texas. Jordan has been on the tour circuit as well, completing two successful tours within the last seven months, in March of 2006 he toured Western Canada with Classified, Jay Bizzy, and Mic Boyd. And most recently just finished up a very successful Canadian National Tour in support of Classifieds new record “Hitch Hikin’ Music”, where he did 28 shows starting in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and ended in Vancouver, BC. Jordan has recently just finished shooting his first video “The Feelin Fine remix” featuring Classified and Jay Bizzy, which was accepted with open arms at Much Music, and within the first week of its debut, it was the Vibe Rated video of the week, and now gets medium rotation on Much Music, and “heavy” rotation on Much Vibe.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JORDAN CROUCHER MYSPACE PAGE
Canadian talent Malicious (a.k.a Mr. Malish) is no stranger to the game. The unassuming rapper (of Barbadian descent) was already making waves at age fifteen, when he won a freestyle challenge, over hip hop icon Jeru The Damaja, which brought him rave reviews in The Source and caught the ear of industry heavyweights like Russell Simmons. Already on his own at sixteen, the undisputed Montreal freestyle king has already had a US single release. The joint Take Off was well received in major urban centers such as New York, Detroit and Chicago. He also spent time as a member of legendary outfit Offsides. The group toured Canada and Asia to support their full-length release Foul Language, in fact the first single 2def (produced by Malicious) received heavy video rotation on Much Music, MTV Canada (Top Ten Most requested) and MTV Asia. No stranger to hard work, Mr. Malish, lists his cousin the infamous R-Kade and Prince as his two major inspirations. He writes and produces all of his material and is busy putting the finishing touches to his debut album Music Starts With M, due for release Summer 06. This labor of love is aided by the Odoublef family, including super djs Team Canada (who also contribute on production as well as scratches). A crack team has been assembled to bring this project to fruition. Mix duties are being handled by Tyson Kuteyi (Gimmemoremusic) Canadas premiere knob twiddler, the video for the first single Heavy M-T-L (Heavy Metal) will be directed by hot shot RT (Randall Thorne). Malicious is ready for the payoff.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE MALICCIOUS MYSPACE PAGE
Born in Vancouver, BC Brandon "Deezuz" Down moved to Calgary with his family when he was three years old. His older brother introduced him to hip-hop when he was in grade 1 and Deezuz instantly fell in love with the culture as a whole. As the years would pass, Deezuz's knowledge and appreciation of the art form grew steadily.
Deezuz has been a member of Calgary's hiphop scene for the last 5 years. He has released 6 mixtapes on his label, Maintain One Voice Entertainment, toured throughout BC and Alberta and opened for respected artists such as The Clipse, Slum Village, Moka Only, DL Incognito and DJ Kool Herc. Deezuz is currently completing his debut album Souldenera which will be released in late 2007. The album is a blend of 80's era boom-bap fused with 70's soul. It features collaborations with Kool G Rap, Joe Scudda, as well Jaykin.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE DEEZUZ MYSPACE PAGE
The Rascalz's Red 1, Fit, and DJ Kemo have been the stuff of legend since their 1993 debut Really Livin. Over the past thirteen years and five albums, the critically acclaimed Van City crew has helped pioneer Canadian hip-hop. In the process, they have garnered numerous MuchMusic Video Awards, Urban Music Awards, certified Gold records, No. 1 singles on MuchMusic, and Juno Awards (they famously declined a Juno in 1998 to protest the show's policy, which excluded urban music from the televised broadcast). With their "Northern Touch" anthem, the group united the country's top talent—including Kardinal, Choclair, Thrust, and Checkmate— propelling hip-hop to the forefront of mainstream culture.
And now Rascalz member Red 1 is breaking some ground of his own. The Van City MC is poised to drop his much-anticipated solo debut on his own recently founded Killawatt Records, to be distributed by Sony/BMG. He hopes that his Vancouver-based label will expose emerging talent of all genres, from across the country and abroad.
"This project is giving me a new hunger," the rapper explains. "It's a new focus, and a new vision."
Killawatt's premier release is Red 1's solo debut, titled Beg For Nothing. The disc gets its name from the emcee-turned-CEO's motto for dealing with the Canadian music industry.
"The hip-hop community in Canada has always had to beg," he points out. "We've had to fight to get on, to get record deals, to get radio play. I don't think we are really taken seriously. But we have been putting in work and making songs as good any artist. We tour around the world, and we represent hard for Canada. We're not begging for anything, we are out here grinding and working our asses off."
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE RED 1 MYSPACE PAGE
Moka Only is a dynamic artist with a career that spans over 10 years, 26 LP's and 400,000 records sold independently. He has won three Juno's, seven Much Music video awards and is a former member of the west coast super group Swollen Members. At an early age Moka Only discovered his love for hip hop culture entering the scene as a graffiti artist. He later began displaying his skills as a MC rhyming at house parties and then later moving to San Diego in the early 90s where began his illustrious career as a MC/ Producer. Moka Only has since established himself as one of Canadas most well-respected and
hardest-working talents. He has also gained the admiration of his peers, industry professionals and fans alike. He has collaborated with the late great Jay Dilla, Aceyalone and Oh No.In the spring of 2007 Moka Only released his critically acclaimed album "Vermilion" on URBNET Records, and is now preparing a new full length release due for release this fall.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE MOKA ONLY MYSPACE PAGE
To define Tru-Paz is to define what Hip Hop is. Hip Hop today is the epitome of Pop, the style and the music. Hip hop is also the epitome of street expression. Some view this dichotomy as a paradox, Tru-Paz views it as an opportunity. The group is composed of three core members: Akim, Boozy and DJ Unknown. Akim is the lead MC, delivering sharp and energizing vocals that cut to the heart of any issue that needs to be tackled. Boozy is the Yang to Akim's Ying. Where Akim is fierce and aggressive, Boozy is cool and smooth. His sultry blend of harmonious singing and soulful rapping gives Tru-Paz a distinct reggae feel that very few groups possess. With his powerful voice andmoving verses, Boozy is the perfect compliment to Akim's raw energy.With two solid vocal forces, DJ Unknown provides the glue that binds Tru-Paz together. With production that ranges from choppy samples over hard drums, to soulful electronic grooves over jazzy rhythmic drum loops. Unknown weaves melodies that both move the listener, as well as compliment Akim and Boozy's flows. Together, these three artists represent one goal. Together, they aspire to unite the fragmented Hip Hop community into one unstoppable force.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE TRU PAZ MYSPACE PAGE
While the art of turntablism continues to please audiences across the world, it goes without saying that DJ Dopey has played an integral part in its global success. Having performed as a DJ/Turntablist alongside pioneers like DJ Q-Bert, DJ Craze, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mix Master Mike, Dopey solidified his role amongst these innovative DJ's formally by winning the most coveted DJ title of them all, he became 2003's WORLD DMC CHAMPION. In addition to his World DMC win he is no stranger to the world DJ battle circuit, his other 1st place titles include 2001 Allies All Star Beatdown Champion (organized by world renowned turntablist crew "The Allies"), as well as 2002/2003 Vestax Canadian Champion among others.
As a founding member of the Turntable Monkz, and now a certified world champion, DJ Dopey (born Jon Ryan Santiago) took the opportunity to tour the world a few times over sharing stages with artists such as Eminem, Madlib, Slum Village, Frank N Dank, Kardinal Offishall, Gang Starr and DJ'd exclusively for DCS. He continues his globetrotting by carrying out his seasoned successes as a key group member of Notes to Self, a rap crew from Toronto currently seeking label and management opportunities world wide. Dopey's found time to be an integral part of their creative process, spending much of his free time off tour in the Studio with Notes writing and recording, contributing a few years worth of hard work to their up and coming world debut release. As one of Canada's premiere talents, DJ Dopey has also collaborated and has contributed to other projects with artists such as Saukrates, Choclair and DCS.
In his 10 years as a DJ/Turntablist, Dopey has accomplished a great deal; he has "battled" his way to the top, he's performed alongside the world's best DJ's and musicians, and has now taken to the studio portion of being an artist where he now perfects his recorded arts. Dopey is now poised to help present the world to Notes to Self, a rap group that will finally help realize his first official recorded contribution as a commercial release on their debut full-length. DJ Dopey is a rare and humbled talent that will continue to push the limits, not just as a DJ but as a recording artist as well.
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Arabesque - Natures Phone Remix
Arabesque - Stardust
DL Incognito - Live in My element
DL Incognito - Make a difference
D.O. - Defy the Odds
D.O. - Just Forfeit
Jordan Croucher - Feelin Fine
Jordan Croucher - Selfish times
Malicious - Heatwave
Malicious - Breakfast
Red 1 - No fuss
Tru Paz - Dust urself off
DJ Dopey - DMC Technics World DJ Championship 2003
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