[MP3] Two Recent Tracks From Tory Lanez – Controlla (Swave Session Remix) / August 19

The motivation behind this “Controlla” remix, which dropped a while back but is posted here ICYMI, probably didn’t endear Tory to Drizzy but hey, it keeps things interesting….

Ah f-ck it, here goes Tory’s remix of DJ Khaled‘s “I Got the Keys” too:

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[MP3 + Music Video] Big Kish – The Last Word

Following the excellent shot-on-iPhone music video, “Mantra” I posted back in March, the homie, Big Kish has dropped another music video for the track, “The Last Word.” This one is a mediation on his, at times, estranged relationship with his dad which he released, appropriately enough, right around Father Day. It’s an emotionally heavy record but not done in a heavy-handed way and further proof that hip-hop can handle mature, adult topics and doesn’t always have to dwell on the superficial. Nice one, Kish!

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– When My Eyes Closed: King Reign – 1975 to 2016 a previously unpublished Q&A with Reign conduced by Luke Fox (Exclaim!)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

[MP3] Listen to a Rare Unreleased 1991 Track by De La Soul – Sho Nuff

This track was a left-over track from the sessions for De La Soul‘s acclaimed sophomore album, De La Soul is Dead. Been a good couple weeks for De La fans: this, a FREE EP (hit the jump) in advance of their new album (you know, “for your pain and suffering….” after waiting 11 years for it) and then yesterday a trailer for the new album, and the Anonymous Nobody. Rejoice!

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[MP3] Birdman – Respek

When I first encountered this, I didn’t even know it was a Birdman-inspired meme. But within 48 hours or so, I was up to speed. Shout to Birdman for taking full advantage, lol….