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Mad Child (Swollen Members)
Vancouver, BC rapper Mad Child has experienced the highs and lows of what life and the music business has to offer in the 15+ years since his crew was first dubbed Swollen Members at a Denny’s by then-member Moka Only. But the group has gone on to make seven albums, working with some of the best names in the underground in the process, and have won five Junos, multiple Much Music Video Awards and numerous other awards and accolades. A case might be made for Swollen Members as Canada’s most successful hip hop group. But success doesn’t come without complications. They made a terrible album in 2003 that even they acknowledge is an embarrassment and hope to forget, and after they dropped their comeback album, Black Magic, the group was dropped from Nettwerk due to Mad Child’s affiliations with the Hell’s Angels. Mad Child was also starting down the road to an opiate addiction which resulted in four years spent as a “walking zombie.” But now he’s clean, he’s focused, and not only has he just released a new Swollen Members record (Dagger Mouth) but he also has his own debut solo album dropping on August 2. Looks like Mad Child may be hitting another high soon.
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Timbuktu
Working on hip hop since high school, rapper/producer Timbuktu came up in the creatively fertile London, Ontario hip hop scene that produced artists like Fritz the Cat, Governor Bolts, Thesis Sahib and Selfhelp, the latter two closely associated with the crew that would become Toolshed. With nearly a decade and a half of rap experience, Tim’s contribution, his solo debut Stranger Danger, finally dropped in 2010. Urbnet took some time to talk to Timbuktu about his beginnings in rap, moving to Toronto, and his various collab projects before the 2011 Timbuk onslaught begins. Get familiar...
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Thesis Sahib
Thesis Sahib has never been an artist content to remain confined to the boundaries defining hip hop, whether it be through his graffiti writing (characterized in large part by a unique style and a dominance of odd creatures) or his rap writing (a meeting of Project Blowed-style chopping with punk and new wave influences over an increasing reliance on electro). He discovered circuit bending – rewiring electronic toys into new musical instruments - which has impacted his music and his art, an altered Gameboy and a mic-enhanced mask making it into the live show while sculptured encasings for the circuit bent instruments turn them into pieces of art. In this interview with Urbnet.com, Thesis discusses Before the End, a new album with Les Swashbuckling Napoleons, graffiti, sculpture, and wearing a mask on stage.
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More Or Les
His rap style is traditional with an easy to digest flow and a tendency towards universal subject matters such as food, weed and most recently the things an average person might hate, often delivered with a heavy dose of humour. At the same time, he’s not afraid of expressing himself on controversial topics such as the common use of the N-word in rap songs. And he’s also a bit of a nerd, name checking G.I. Joe vehicles and quoting Klingon. In other words, he’s an accessible emcee set to appeal to most hip hop fans.
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Angerville
Turning an unfortunate tragedy into the rap group Angerville, Conscious Thought and Fortunato continue to draw inspiration for their music from any and all of the struggles that surround them, as both a family man and a street dude. In just a few short years Angerville have built a loyal fanbase with the release of a large body of respectable music. No matter what point in the evolution hip hop heads first jumped on the bandwagon, they continue to return to Angerville for the street-wise raps tempered with honest tales torn from the heart. Get the guided tour with the guys in this interview with Urbnet.
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Shunda K (Yo! Majesty)
Tampa, Florida rapper Shunda K, founder of electro-crunk rap group Yo! Majesty, grinds hard – and I’m not talking about on the dance floor (although listening to her music I’m sure she does that, too). See, Shunda K is female and gay in a genre of music that has little respect for either. In a candid interview with Urbnet, Shunda K explains the creation of Yo! Majesty, her struggles to overcome all obstacles with which she was faced, her relationship with God, and her new career as a solo artist. Shunda K is here to save the world...
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Zest the SMoker
As Zest prepares brand new product for the masses, he takes time out to describe to Urbnet – amongst other things – his reluctant transition into rap, his absence from the scene and what the future holds for this creative West Coast rapper
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Marco Polo
Proudly proclaiming himself Canadian, Marco Polo continues to build a rep as a highly sought after producer in the East Coast hip hop underground. A busy man just off tour, Marco Polo succinctly sums up his thoughts in a few words for this interview with Urbnet, invaluable advice for upcoming producers revealed amongst the little gems about himself.
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Shad
London, Ontario rapper Shad K is on a fast-rising trajectory to stardom. Perhaps not as fast as Canada’s current hopeful, Drake, but a combination of hardwork, skill and luck has propelled this small town rapper into the spotlight on a number of occasions. The self-deprecating lyrics, his sense of humour, and the message-based music earned the album some critical acclaim. Shad’s sophomore album received a lot more attention, earning him a Juno nomination for Best Rap Recording and a slot on the short list for the prestigious Polaris Prize. Perhaps 2010 will be his year with the release of the mysteriously titled TSOL, his best album yet. Find out where Shad is coming from and where he’s at now as he gets candid with Urbnet outside Sonic Boom on Bloor Street, Toronto prior to his well-attended in-store set.
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MC Homeless
MC Homeless may not be a familiar name now, but with hard work and dedication he’s getting his music out to a wider and wider world audience. Here, he offers his tour advice, reveals some of his favourite places for food (especially burritos and pizza), criticizes Anarchists and shit talks the city he loves. Still, he might just be the one to put Youngstown on the rap map.
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Riddlore?
A calm, laidback individual who can rap his ass off, L.A. rapper-producer Riddlore? is a poster child for what hip hop can inspire. Trading gang-banging for rapping, he became an integral force behind both The Good Life Cafe and Project Blowed, hip hop institutions responsible for popularizing off-the-dome freestyling. It has earned him a cult-like status which, even two decades later, allows him the opportunity to release new music and tour even if his crew, Chillin Villain Empire, have yet to achieve the same level of success as their Project Blowed peers like Freestyle Fellowship, Abstract Rude and Jurassic 5. During the only Canadian stop on his Lucid Dreams Vernal Tour with MC Homeless and richardbenjamin Riddlore? took some time out to talk to Urbnet about his introduction to hip hop, his role in The Good Life Cafe and Project Blowed, freestyling, his upcoming projects and his new business venture in Austin, TX. He’s got some dope shit to say, so sit back and absorb. And if you ever get the chance to see Riddlore? live, cease it, seriously!
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Ghettosocks
Darren Pyper worked hard to position himself as Halifax’s next hip hop hopeful, and Treat of the Day – his brand new, 90s-influenced, food-inspired concept album – is poised to prove why he deserves it. And considering the projects ’Socks has on the horizon, this is merely the beginning. In this Urbnet interview, Ghettosocks discusses these exciting collaborative projects, as well as his introduction to the Halifax hip hop scene, some of his best known interests (books, shoplifting), and exactly what’s going on with Alpha Flight. Here’s your treat for the day... You’re welcome.
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Overcast Sound
Overcast Sound creates introspective compositions built from fragments of field recordings, oblique references to dub rhythms, and sweeping cinematic textures, resulting in a style uniquely their own. When combined with their evocative visuals, Overcast Sound creates a compelling experience which explores ideas beyond musical pattern.Through improvised performances, Michael Pettit and Jamie Drouin re-imagine their studio tracks in new and unexpected ways, creating a personal and intimate musical experience. Although not easily categorized, they succeed in engaging the listener, whether at home or on the dance floor.
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Rubberlips
Rubberlips is a tightly-knit collective of musicians from west Yorkshire in the north of England. all contributors currently participate in both the studio environment and live performance and are increasing becoming involved across the world from south Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
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Jesus Pablo
A collaboration of mind, body and soul infuses Jesus Pablo’s thoughts as he hopes to create imaginative sets and music and for anyone that will care to listen. Forging a base on everything from house to techno, he plans to be known as the man who takes you on a journey and move your feet.
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Swerve, the
The Swerve is an organically driven electronic trio from the United States, whose intention is to create a vintage soundtrack to modern life. The band consists of core members Mikael Johnston (Mephisto Odyssey, Dresden and Johnston), D1 and Jana Hanavan. Additional production including drums and synths were provided by Joseph Epperson.
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MFR, DJ
As a member of San Francisco’s posh posse of deep house producers and DJs, MFR has conjured up his own brand of funky sound-mospheres into a mix that includes heavyweights like Miguel Migs, Jay-J, DJ Rasoul and Julius Papp. Growing up in Rome, Italy, he embraced his native city’s love for world music.
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Giom
In a very short space of time Giom has become one of the most highly sought after producers, remixers and DJs in the deep house scene. His music is consistently found at the top of download store sales charts and in the sets of DJs from house music’s jet setting elite to bedroom jocks in every corner of the world.
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We Love
With the duo We Love, Ellen Allien has sought out the golden needle in the haystack of current club music. It’s almost impossible to resist the charm of the sweet Giorgia Angiuli, with her alluring brown eyes, and the wild locks of the contemplative, emotional Piero Fragola. The pair’s debut album could become the chorus of the summer. Their enchanting songs fuse the ecstasy of club land with the emotions of pop.
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Monoman
This multifaceted Producer is unmistakably up and coming and in demand. His often genre-defying productions have reached the hands and turntables of some of Dance musics most respected artists and Dj’s from DJ Sneak and Mastiksoul to Azari & III, Nick Curly and DJ Pierre.
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Jazzy Eyewear
Fabian Giannattasio aka Jazzy Eyewear is originally from Argentina. He moved to Chicago in 1990, and has quickly become one of the most notorious producers over the past decade. His unique house sets earned him a reputation as one of the fastest rising DJ’s amongst the US house scene. His self-imposed deep, driving house sound has been shaking up dance floors all over the world.
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Demarkus Lewis
American dance music producer Demarkus Lewis has released over 100 singles and countless remixes over the last 10 years. It is a well known fact that he has the ability to change his sound to fit within a multitude of genres from the deepest of deep house to the most electrifying sounds of Techno. These days you can find him dropping Tech-House bombs on labels such as Nervous Records; soulful gems on Kingstreet Sounds; hypnotizing afro rhythms on Slip n Slide; jackin’ grooves on Guesthouse and everything in between on his very own Grin Music imprint. He also finds time to talk to urbnet.
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Dubz McKenzie
Dubz McKenzie, real name Mando Cervantes is an artist based out of Chicago. He has been active as dj/producer in the house scene for over 10 years. Dubz grew up listening to the many djs coming out of Chicago in the late 80’s and 90’s and was very influenced by the sounds of Dj Sneak, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Farley Jackmaster Funk, and Paul Johnson just to name a few. He attended Chicago’s famed Columbia College school of media where he focused on art and music. Today he has released music and remixes under the name Dubz McKenzie and is currently working on multiple projects for future release
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Inland Knights
Dj’s, Producers and label owners, Andy Riley and Laurence Ritchie AKA Inland Knights came out swinging over a decade ago with their fresh brand of funky, UK house, and have influenced entire continents in the process.
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