17.4.2012Sweatshop Union - Bill Murray (Music Video)
Sweatshop Union are heavyweights of North Western hip-hop, and have earned a reputation as the hardest working collective in the region. Having performed over five hundred shows internationally, they have changed the perception of what live hip-hop can achieve. The group’s most ambitious record to date and award winning Bill Murray EP, (2011 Western Canadian Music Awards’ Hip Hop Recording of the Year) brought a whole new level to their steadily growing underground following. Building on this they will release another two new albums in 2012.
10.4.2012Wordburglar – New Maxi Single/ Video/ Upcoming Album
Wordburglar is a Canadian hip hop artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia, now based in Toronto. His style is best described as energetic and zany with an emphasis on wordplay and humour. He primarily works with his crews Backburner and Props Dept for all aspects of his music creation, including production, cuts, mixing, mastering and guest vocals. He is currently working on his third full length album. - 2012 marks the release of his third solo album "3RDBURGLAR" already recieving advance critical praise from the single "RHYME O'CLOCK"
New full length album "3rdburglar" drops May 8, 2012!
Album release event on May 11th, 2012 at El Mocombo (464 Spadina Avenue, Toronto)
2.4.2012URBNET Certified Vol. 2 URBNET releases the second volume in its new series of "Certified" compilations. The label’s latest compilation line focuses on new singles from emerging artists. The series also offers a sampling of songs from URBNET's expanding roster, offering listeners an opportunity to hear new music before it appears on full length releases. Certified selections are pulled from URBNET's top 10 best new music list. The monthly list highlights the best new music submissions received by URBNET. Volume 2 was released digitally on Tuesday, March 12, and features new music from Ryan Hemsworth, Keys N Krates, Screw Slang and DJ Catalist featuring Kae Sun just to name a few.
01. D-Sisive - Victory Parade
02. Screw Slang - Stay Goth
03. knamelis + SUP∆83 are MART!N McFLY - YO!
04. Jules Chaz - Blak Lodge
05. Keys N Krates - Let It Rain
06. KAYTRADAMUS - Fantasea
07. Ryan Hemsworth - Three Hours In
08. Jesse Futerman - A Tribute To Horace
09. LAL - Look Behind
10. DJ Catalist feat. Kae Sun - We Changed
11. Perfeck Strangers - Stay Me (feat. Zeyon)
12. Animal Nation - The Corner of Broadway
URBNET presents a collaboration between DJ/Producer Alister Johnson aka Catalist and Ghanaian-Canadian singer/songwriter Kae Sun on vocals. Alister also known as a member of hip-hop collective Grand Analog has recently produced Zaki Ibrahim’s “Something In The Water” as well as remixes for Feist and Yukimi from Little Dragon. Kae Sun is currently working on his next full length album, in the meantime check out his much raved about acoustic EP which you can download at URBNET or on iTunes.
Chemicals, nitro glycerine and gas will blow up when you put them together. The same is said about Hip Hop's newest dynamic duo, Perfeck Strangers! Joining forces after years of blessing eardrums as impeccably brilliant soloists, veteran Toronto emcees Dan-e-o and Promise are now tackling the world of music as a tandem.
Dan-e-o first came into prominence with his debut single, “DEAR HIP HOP”. Released through EMI on Beat Factory's RapEssentials Volume One in 1996, the track is documented as a“Canadian Hip Hop classic”! Even without major mainstream notoriety, Dan-e-o's subsequent solo albums, The Book of Daniel (2000) and See No Evil, Hear No Evil (2004) have cemented his reputation as one of the world's most elite emcees.
Known for his potent lyrical content, Promise focuses primarily on life, love and the consciousness of mankind and is certainly no stranger to the microphone. His debut solo album, More Than Music(2008), boasts guest appearances by Montell Jordan, Elzhi of Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9”and more. Promise's sophomore effort, Awakening (2011), further highlights his incredible prowess as a rap artist and songwriter. The LP's debut video “Against All Odds” dropped in December 2011.
It’s easy to say that Perfeck Strangers are an unlikely pair, but when listening to their music you would think they have been rhyming together for years. Both accomplished rappers in their own rights, their union presents a “perfeck” melding of talent in the vein of Hip Hop's most heralded duos, such asBlack Star, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Little Brother and even Jay-Z & Kanye West. Dan-e-o and Promise have even been compared to legendary tag-teams like EPMD and Das EFX for the way they effortlessly flip lines back and forth with each other.
In the summer of 2010, Dan-e-o and Promise's first single as Perfeck Strangers was leaked to the internet. Entitled “WORK TO DO", the Isley Brothers-inspired track takes a comical approach to discussing the duo's struggles in the rap game. The release also includes an appearance by Hip Hop heavyweight, Drake and the song's YouTube post garnered thousands of plays within days of it being leaked.
The im-Perfeck spelling of the word “perfect” in the group's name speaks to their admittance that the two are mortals, not without their shortcomings. Acknowledging a higher power as both their life source and primary inspiration, the duo has set out on a mission to provide the world with what they consider a much needed resurgence of substance-heavy music.
Perfeck Strangers' highly-anticipated debut music video, “Ghetto” dropped to critical acclaim in November 2011. The hit track can be found on URBNET Records' Underground Hip-Hop Volume 7. It will also be featured on the group's debut album Series Premiere, which will air worldwide on March 6, 2012 with distribution via URBNET.
Follow-up singles “Come Back Home” and “True To You” are set to drop early in 2012 to promote the album's release.
So stay alert and keep your ears to the street for the perfect Hip Hop group - Perfeck Strangers!
7.2.2012D-Sisive - The Invisible Man
26.1.2012Miles Jones - No More feat. Marinda (Official Video)
1.1.2012Kae Sun- Weh-Weh (live) for Southernsouls.ca
The classics never go out of style. When three emcees from Toronto get together to collaborate on a track for the love of hip hop, only goodness can come out of it. In 2010, when Dan-e-o was visiting Kish in L.A., the two were talking about future collaboration projects. While reminiscing about their favourite old school tracks, and memories of Concert Hall shows, Kish suggested to Dan-e-o that they do a cover of Biz Markie's The Vapors. After reconnecting with Maestro while he was in LA, Kish had found the perfect third emcee to round out the track. The only missing piece was a DJ. Maestro suggested his sister, DJ MelBoogie, and the rest was hip hop history.
This project was done out of love for the music. After threading a logistical needle for quite some time, the group managed to align schedules and studio time to complete the project. Beyond doing it for the love of hip hop, the track marked some firsts for this team: Vapors 2012 is the first collaboration between Maestro and Dan-e-o, along with being the first collaboration between Wes and his sister MelBoogie. For Kish, this was only the second song he'd recorded after a 15 year hiatus.
To compliment the song, Kish asked phenomenal artist, Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, who did character design for the animated Spiderman series, to create some artwork to accompany the release.
10.4.2012D-Sisive – RunWithTheCreepsD-LuxeEdition +The Busker Video
D-Sisive - The Busker [directed by: Dan Jardine]
The circus has left town. I'm home, with nothing but memories. Some will stick forever. Others, I hope will disappear. The circus was fun. We all prefer a certain ring over the others, but we always make the best out of our least favorites.
The lion tamers were daring. The trapeze artists were beautiful. The clowns? Well, they were just clowns. Squeezing into their Volkswagens and driving anywhere they could get attention. Always laughed at. They invite the laughter. They believe the laughter is what keeps the wheels spinning. Nobody wants to pose for photos with the sword swallower, but the sword swallowers are never laughed at. Nobody wants the signature of the flame swallower, but the flame swallower is never mocked. Their lives are risked, but they can never be the face. The clowns on the other hand...They're the stars! Shining bright. Painted red smiles over their chapped lips and yellow teeth. They're easily accessible. Not everyone can lick fire. But everyone can giggle and somersault.
The Greatest Show On Earth!
I'm home. With a brand new sword. The Busker. A song produced by Techtwelve, and a video directed by Dan Jardine.
Run With The Creeps D-Luxe Edition featured 6 new songs: an extended version of The Stranded, A cover of Dee Dee Ramone's Funky Man, as well as an unexpected/powerful collaboration with Neverending White Lights. Along with the four songs are 4 tape recorder demos recorded in 2008. Brian Wilson recorded minutes after the most important dish washing session of my life. The demos truly represent the beginning, fitting perfectly with Run With The Creeps' closing chapter.
2.4.2012Animal Nation - The Basement Tapes Vol. 1 URBNET presents Animal Nation's latest full length release entitled "The Basement Tapes Vol.1". The eight-track album takes old Animal Nation favourites that have slowly evolved throughout the years to adapt to their ever-changing live set, and has them recorded live on the floor of their basement level studio. Some songs are live-set staples that get played at every show (The Fez, Wooden Rollercoaster), some are classics that never got the proper attention they deserved when released the first time around (The Corner of Broadway), and some are banjo driven re-interpretations of previous hits (Party Animals Reprise). Animal Nation - The Basement Tapes Vol. 1 is now available for digital download at URBNET and iTunes.
2.4.2012Animal Nation Tour Dates
Animal Nation, a Whistler, BC based Hip-Hop trio is currently on tour with dates as follows:
Mar 29: Penticton Voodoo's
Mar 30: Rossland The Flying Steamshovel
Mar 31: Nelson The Royal
Apr 04: Lethbridge The Slice
Apr 05: Calgary The Shamrock
Apr 06: Saskatoon Amigo's
Apr 07: Saskatoon Scratch Club
Apr 08: Banff The Rose & Crown
Apr 09: Golden Rockwater Bar & Grill
Apr 10: Invermere Bud's Bar & Lounge
Apr 12: Revelstoke Regent Inn
Apr 19: Whistler Doc Branigan's
Apr 21: Whistler Savage Beagle
Apr 21: Whistler Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival
Apr 27: Pemberton Pemberton Hotel
Leisure Gang, the self titled debut EP release is scheduled for a April free digital release. The Leisure Gang project promises to bring a loose party feel to both their live show and recorded music
Catch Sweatshop Union & Leisure Gang at SXSW Mar 15 – SXSW – Oy Vey Showcase @ 606/Lipstick
Mar 16 – SXSW – Planet Hip Hop Showcase @ TenOak
Mar 18 – SXSW – BIBT Showcase – venue tba
The band's latest recording, self-titled "LAL" (2012), is the embodiment of their hopes and fears. LAL is a look at their lives through electronic music fused with their past and their future sounds. Combining pop, jazz, soul, international and electronic music to create their own distinct Toronto sound. The album is a response by the band--as artists, community members, and as activists--to a world that they see as being swept up by a conservative agenda; an agenda that is pushing people to the margins, fuelling the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us, threatening those who tend the land and all of us who depend on it, and making living with dignity increasingly impossible for the majority of society.
26.1.2012D-SISIVE launches his radio show called "Derek Christoff|The Unknown"
A message from D-Sisive:
Hopefully you don’t hate it.
It’s my new radio show! Well, it’s my only radio show. In fact, it’s not on the radio, so, it’s not really a radio show at all. A podcast? I like saying Radio Show more. Tarzan Dan never had a podcast. So...It’s a radio show. My Radio Show!
The Unknown.
I called my radio show The Unknown because I plan to tell you shit that's unknown to you. Originally, it was going to be an hour of my favourite songs. But after a conversation with Orin Isaacs, who’s producing the show, we came up with something a bit better. I realized there’s already one Ryan Seacrest. And he’s gorgeous. Why try to step on his toes? I’d rather step on my own toes.
Each episode will feature two songs. Two songs by two artists that inspire me. Along with those songs, I tell the story of said inspiration. That, and lots of laser sounds! Radio is full of laser sounds!
I’m nervous about it. Excited. Nervous excitement! You have no idea how hard it is to read out loud. Not an easy task. I can rap for long periods of time. With ease. But reciting from a notebook page? Hard as fu*k! I hope you don't think it sucks!
Direct Soundcloud Link:
http://soundcloud.com/derekchristoff/derek-christoff-the-unknown
22.12.2011JACKHOUSE RESURRECTED URBNET's electro magazine is back focusing on house, electronica, alternative reviews, interviews, and upto date news. Visit http://urbnet.com/jackhouse and be sure to follow our new jackhouse twitter account @urbnetjackhouse
22.12.2011Moka Only's Martian Xmas 2011 Available for FREE
22.12.2011Sweatshop Union's The Bill Murray EP wins Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at Western Canadian Music Awards Whitehorse, YK - Congratulations to Sweatshop Union for taking home Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards. The Vancouver-based group was recognized for their Bill Murray EP which first hit iTunes on March 1st. The EP was highly embraced by Sweatshop fans who have waited patiently for a group record to pick-up where Water Street left off. One fan on the iTunes feedback described Sweatshop as "constantly innovating and creating new sounds, but still the same rappers and message I LOVE." Another boasted, "Beats and lyrics on point, best hip-hop of '11." Support the Sweatshop movement and purchase The Bill Murray EP on iTunes now.
22.12.2011CHERINA & DAVINA release new single 'I Was Scared'
Music and creativity have been a constant theme in the lives of these identical twins. They have been playing their instruments for six years, but started writing songs long before. When it came time to form a band there were no questions asked, they simply grabbed their instruments and started writing. It was a natural evolution of their musical abilities.
urbnet.com/CherinaDavina
