Archive for October, 2017
[MP3] Saukrates – Jays Fitted Feat. Kardinal Offishall
Guess we got the teaser a few weeks back. This is a very welcome return though! Details here:
Before hip-hop became a global entity, Saukrates established himself as a pioneer of the Canadian scene. His work behind the boards set the gold production standard for staples ranging from K-OS to Kardinal Offishall, while his work behind the mic resulted in some of the most influential records in Canadian hip-hop. Thus, it’s only right that the legend has connected with Kardinal Offishall for “Jays Fitted”, a soulful ode to the good and bad of Toronto that’s also the lead single of Saukrates’ forthcoming album, Season 2.
On the topic of “Jays Fitted”, Soxx explains, “Staying away from the cliche of NEEDING to write a hometown anthem, we actually were able to return to our roots of conscious art and collaborate again. This undertaking is anthemic in itself!” As for Kardinall Offishall, he raves “Saukrates is one of the most talented people to ever emerge out of the greater Toronto area. He is directly responsible for my success and has contributed to the success of Drake, Choclair, and so many others in the rap world…I’m honoured to contribute to my brother’s legacy once again.”
“Jays Fitted” is out now via Culvert Music. As for Season 2, the record drops in its entirety on Friday, November 17th.
[MP3 + Music Video] Always Never – Call Me Over
This is a BANGER! Check the science:
Always Never, the duo from Toronto, premiered their new song “Call Me Over” on Beats 1 Radio with Zane Lowe yesterday, before the release of their debut Call Me Over EP today. On their sound, Zane said “So Toronto, so Toronto. But Toronto is fleshing out, right? It’s getting fuller. It knows it’s controlling pop music right now, it knows it’s leading that sound. Confidence is high in that city. Always Never, “Call Me Over”, a World First, sounding amazing.” They’re unsigned and wrote and produced all of this themselves – it’s dark and sexy and undeniably catchy.
Check out the full EP also titled Call Me Over too, it’s a good one! Soundcloud | TIDAL
[MP3] Dan-e-o – League Of Legends Feat. Thrust, Maestro Fresh Wes, Moka Only, Big Kish & Eternia
Out today! Dan-e-o’s new album featuring this aptly named loaded line-up of Canadian legends of a track. Here’s the PT blurb on the album:
On November 5, 1996, Toronto-based label, Beat Factory released the seminal Canadian hip-hop compilation, Rap Essentials Volume One. Helping to further energize the already-established careers of such north-of-the-border lyrical heavyweights as Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Ghetto Concept and Rascalz, the album is also credited for launching the career of Scarborough lyricist, Dan-e-o.
With his featured single, “Dear Hip Hop”, Dan-e-o immediately cemented himself as one of Canada’s premier MCs. A quasi-love letter to the music and culture he adores, the Scam-produced single has stood the test of time and has garnered itself “classic” status in the annals of Canadian hip-hop history.
With his fourth album, Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later, Dan-e-o both commemorates the two decade milestone of the release of his legendary debut and pays tribute to a long list of inspirations. “The artists I pay tribute to on this album by including them as guests helped pave the way for me to become the artist I am,” says Dan-e-o, “But they themselves have also enjoyed the last 20 years or so of invigorating hip-hop culture. So this new album is as much about celebrating Canadian hip-hop as a whole as it is about my first single. Really, I’m just a chapter in a much bigger story.”
Among the honoured guests on the album are URBNET label mate, Moka Only, “Northern Touch” legend, Thrust and the Godfather of Canadian hip-hop himself, Maestro Fresh Wes. They all appear on the posse cut and lead single, “League Of Legends”, which is produced by Scam – reuniting Dan-e-o with the producer of “Dear Hip Hop” 20 years after its release.
Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later is a unique combination of re-mastered gems recorded during the mid-90’s and brand new golden era-esque bangers, which include “Rap Essentials”, an ode to the compilation that started it all with alumni, Mathematik and Deuce Deuce of Concrete Mob and a symbolic tribute to J Dilla entitled “Spit” featuring the late legend’s brother, Illa J.
Track Listing
01. Dear Hip Hop
02. Constipated
03. Mental Mirage
04. Son Daze
05. Mic Surgery
06. Dear Hip Hop (The 2nd Letter) (feat. Choclair, Frankenstein & Grimace Love)
07. Incarceration
08. So Deep
09. Danish (feat. Nish Raawks)
10. Dear Hip Hop (Remix)
11. League Of Legends (feat. Thrust, Maestro Fresh Wes, Moka Only, Big Kish & Eternia)
12. Rap Essentials (feat. Mathematik & Deuce Deuce)
13. Spit (feat. Illa J)
14. 20 Years Later (feat. Fraction & Cable)
BUY / Download Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later – Dowload Urbnet | Tidal | Spotify | iTunes/Apple
[MP3] Listen to Two Tracks from Snotty Nose Rez Kids – The Average Savage
These indigenous hip-hop practitioners are crazy. Think an indigenous dead prez but really it’s completely it’s own thing. Freshest sh-t we’ve heard in a while, fire! Listen to the full mixtape via The Kitchen Twitter HERE or on Soundcloud HERE.
[MP3] Tara Slone & Tom McKay – Wildflowers (Tom Petty Cover)
My peoples from the late 90s into the early 2000s Canadian alt. rock group, Joydrop just dropped a previously recorded cover of the Tom Petty song, “Wildflowers” as a tribute to the rocker’s untimely passing yesterday. I’ve got history with these guys. Joydrop singer, Tara Slone is now better known as a TV personality on the lifestyle sports show, Hometown Hockey and Tom McKay is now an accomplished music producer and studio owner. R.I.P. Tom Petty.