[MP3] Theology3 – 4 THE LOVED ONES (prod. by SCAM)

Tribute to Masimba (aka Son of S.O.U.L.) and Kunle (aka King Reign) by Theo3 (aka Theology3):

This is our tribute to great artists, great people, positive thinkers from the #Toronto community. From OG’s to emerging artists, we salute all those who’ve gone 2 soon and dedicate this to their memories, their families, their bredrens, colleagues and friends. Peace from Theo3 & Scam

Art from Adrian Hayles & the family of King Reign.

[MP3] R.I.P. Kunle Thomas aka King Reign: 1975-2016

The news that Kunle Thomas better known to the world as King Reign, Toronto rapper and former member of celebrated underground T.dot rap group, Brassmunk is no longer with us just rips me apart.

I am humbled that I got to know him a little since my return to Toronto in ’09 and honored that he thought enough of this blog to share a track featuring Saukrates, “The Books” for the compilation project I did for it two years ago. His song, “Guilty Party” also featuring Bigg Soxx still remains one of my favorite hip-hop songs of all time, true story.

And even after all these years, his career was still evolving and growing: just this week he had a featured role performing on the new Jason Priestly Global TV show, Private Eyes. It’s never good when anyone passes, especially so young, but this… this is a rough one. Prayers out to his entire family and friends. 2016 absolutely just f-cking sucks!

Related reading:

– Official announcement of Reign’s passing on FB

– Throwback to Different Kitchen‘s interview with King Reign for the #DK11 comp project

– Del Cowie on Why King Reign mattered to Canadian hip-hop (CBC Music)

– When My Eyes Closed: King Reign – 1975 to 2016 a previously unpublished Q&A with Reign conduced by Luke Fox (Exclaim!)

And please support the GoFundMe to help cover Reign’s funeral expenses if you can by going HERE.

Finally, a few musical reminders of why the T.dot hip-hop community’s heart is so heavy from this loss:

King Reign – Fades Away (feat. Saukrates & Drake) (Prod. Saukrates)


King Reign – Soaring To Heaven (feat. Saukrates, Tona, & Rich Kidd) (Prod. Rich Kidd)


King Reign – Money ft Saukrates & Kardinal Offishall (Prod. Boi1da)

“If I die now would anybody know my name?” – King Reign

Yes they would, Reign. Yes they would….

[Contest] Win a J. Dilla ‘The Diary’ Vinyl LP & T-Shirt Prize Pack

The much-rumored, long-awaited album by the legendary, late, great hip-hop producer & rapper, J. Dilla was finally released by Mass Appeal records on April 15 (Tax Day in the US). If you haven’t heard it, you can check out a couple tracks below or listen to it in full HERE on the DK Tumblr.

But why just stream it when you can own your beautiful copy on wax courtesy of The Kitchen? Want to learn how. Just retweet this tweet for a chance to win. Contest will end 12 noon EST on Friday May 13. Note: You must be a resident of Canada to be eligible to win.

[News] R.I.P. Prince Rogers Nelson: 1958 – 2016

What can be said about Prince that does the man and his legacy as an artist & person justice? He was a giant, a legend, an icon and so much more that is only coming out in the wake of his unexpected and untimely passing last Thursday. The impact of what we have lost with his passing will reverberate for years to come. To wit…

Bonus reading and video:

– Miles Davis on Prince: “‎Prince‬ was like James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Chaplin”

– An absolutely INCREDIBLE video of Prince preforming “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night” from the never (or very limited) released Sign O’ the Times concert documentary film

– An amazing acoustic performance by Prince on VH1

– That time Prince jumped up on stage unannounced and performed with Q-tip

– Van Jones on the breadth of Prince’s anonymous philanthropy and altruism

– The story of the time Prince gave a free concert at a college for deaf students

– Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top calls Prince’s guitar playing “otherworldly” and “defying description”

– The guitar solo Prince played at the 2004 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony that has been dubbed the “greatest of all time” by some

– Bruce Springsteen‘s tribute performance of “Purple Rain” to open his show in Brooklyn last night

– Video of the only time Prince, Michael Jackson and James Brown were all on stage together at the same time

– Absolutely heartbreaking of video of Whitney Houston and her daughter, Bobbi Kristina watching Prince perform “Raspberry Beret”

– Chevy’s perfect tribute to Prince

R.I.P Prince….

[MP3 + Music Video] Phife Dawg – Nutshell (prod. by J Dilla)

I missed the tribute at The Apollo yesterday but this new posthumously-released Phife Dawg single & video, “Nutshell” is EVERYTHING! Pure hip-hop, top to bottom. And a beat made J. Dilla??! Could not be more fitting. Love it! #RIPPhifeDawg