February 9, 2009

8 hours and 45 seconds!!!!!


When talking about pioneers the name D.O. (defy the odds) should be mentioned. Back in 2003 my man set the Guinness World Record for the World's Longest Freestyle. At the Markham fairgrounds, outdoor nonetheless, D.O. ripped it for 8 hours and 45 seconds! For those young cats that be spitting practiced freestyles take notes. If you check the video, D.O. is rhyming about people passing by and whatever comes to his mind. Rather than trying to be the 'king of his city' my man took on the world, grabbing the guinness record. This was nothing new for a cat who was eating emcees at the Source Unsigned Hype competition in Detroit years ago. Today, D.O. is rockin' crowds alongside Slakah the Beatchild as the Art of Fresh duo (http://www.theartoffresh.com/).
D.O. hit me off with a copy of the Guinness plaque, it's pictured above.
Also, check D.O.'s catalogue, it is deep--> www.doyall.com.

The Manifesto Documentary



This past summer I was fortunate enough to work on the Manifesto documentary, it has been the catalyst behind the Tdot Pioneers project. I had the pleasure of working with JohnBronski, one of the founding members of the Masterplan show, Son of S.O.U.L, Mindbender, Ty Harper and many more hip hop luminaries. In interviewing people like Master T, Rumble, Farley Flex, Ron Nelson, DJ Mastermind, Motion, Lady P and nuff other people, I learned a whole lot about the origins of the hip hop in Toronto from roller skating jams to Boogie Down Productions' connects to this city. Back in September we did a community screening of the rough cut and people showed love. We're still working but I thought I bless ya'll wit the trailer...

February 2, 2009

Figures of Speech on Rapcity ca. 1995




Rapcity (Canada's Yo! MTV raps) was the spot back in the day where aspiring crews could get their shine on. Check this video, featuring a rare appearance by Y-Look, (www.ylooks.blogspot.com) an emcee turned lawyer who was an integral member of the Circle's success in the 90s. Also check Saukrates, Marvel, Solitair, and Kardinal all cats who kept the hip hop scene poppin' in the 1990s. Rapcity and X-Tendamix were industry engines providing much needed airplay for Canadian hip hop artists. At muchmusic Master T was the man (along with help from Roxy!) who made hip hop and black musics happen on the 'nation's music station'. Master T would put you on, if you came correct and he mentored artists so that they could come correct with a video, promo material and press package. Almost all the cats in this crew session have experienced success in the music industry thanks to the important groundwork Master T, the constant professional put in on the daily. Bigup T!