Listening to the 2010 Canadian Rap Compilation from Brockway Entertainment I realized something: during the last couple months of '09 I somehow stockpiled a ton of Canadian hip hop in my "ToDo" list that I really need to get posted. Some of which happens to be on this here compilation. So, you can consider this post an intro to a month that shall be filled with a ton of Canadian hip hop from your truly. Whether you want it or not.

However, back to the matter at hand. I believe this is the 3rd year I've posted on the annual Canadian Rap Future Superstars compilation put together by Brockway Biggs, aka Troy Neilson, and I'm happy to do so. It's tough business getting coverage as a Canadian hip hop artist (my current Can-hop backlog is a prime example), so when someone like Troy is putting so much effort into putting together and promoting a compilation like this, I'm happy to help spread the word. As usual, the compilation is available as a free download, and it features a host of talent from coast to coast:

1. Manafest (Toronto) - Free
2. Monark (Fredericton & Saint John) - Playground feat Phakt
3. Hellafactz (Halifax) - Thought Of U Featuring Yvette Jarvis & Michael Beals
4. Relic (Toronto) - Just The Day feat Saukrates
5. Drumbo (Def3 and Factor) (Regina & Saskatoon) - Take Me Higher
6. Mantrakid (Comox, BC & Calgary) - My Calling
7. Ricca Razor Sharp (Calgary & Clarks Harbour, NS) - Rampage
8. Iron Lion (Calgary) - Take a Breather feat King Lou
9. Joe Buck (Halifax) - Who We Are feat Jay Bizzy
10. Cale Sampson (Toronto) - C-A-L-E
11. Chris Quotes (Toronto) - Where's the Cash At
12. Eye2Eye (Montreal) - Wing Man
13. KG (Ottawa) - Megatron
14. Solid Mas (Toronto) - Ridin Dirty feat Nova Kane & Priceless
15. RahZemos (Toronto) - Bad Apples
16. HeatWave (Vancouver) - Bills To Pay (CFRO 'Urban Renewal Project' Choice Pick)
17. Josh Martinez (Vancouver) - Responsibility feat Evil
18. Brass Tackz (Vancouver) - Broken Promises
19. Ghettosocks (Halifax) - R. Kelly's Ghostwriter Skit feat Jordan Croucher
20. Dan-e-o (Toronto) - Yesterday
21. Tru-Paz (Toronto) - My Lady
22. Empire ISIS (Montreal) - Four In The Morning
23. Shaun Boothe (Toronto) - Music Man feat Amanda Diva

The first half is definitely the stongest portion in my humble, but that may just be because I'm more familiar with the folks found there (Relic is one of those folks I've been meaning to post on), but Josh Martinez and Brass Tackz also give the back end some oomph. So download the compilation and start your 2010 with a full dose of Canadian hip hop. Or better yet, if you're an artist yourself, get in touch with Troy about getting included on next year's comp - via email (troy(at)brockwayent.com) or Sonicbids.

MP3:: Hellafactz - Thought Of U Featuring Yvette Jarvis & Michael Beals

MP3:: Def3 and Factor - Take Me Higher

MP3:: Chris Quotes - Where's the Cash At

Labels: Brockway Biggs, Canadian Hip Hip, Ghettosocks, Josh Martinez

All right, the Ack is off gallivanting around Montreal with all the fancy music biz swells at M For Montreal, and yes, that leaves me back in Halifax minding the cyber store. And it also happens to be Thursday, so that means one thing: videos. We've had a couple of jam-packed editions of Video Hits over the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to keep that going, but I'd also been hyped on Canadian hip hop after spending the last week with Ghettosocks new album on repeat. So, guess what you're getting today? Yep, a jumbo CanRap edition of Video Hits.

Although it has been out here in Canada for ages, k-os' latest album, Yes!, was just released in the US this past Tuesday (my talking points post for it went up in March). Perhaps to celebrate this, k-os has just released a new X-produced video for I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, which features k-os & Big Sox ripping it up Dukes of Hazzard style. I love this jam (Saukrates is awesome) and like any fellow my age, I loved the Dukes back in the day, so this is a no-brainer. We follow that up with another two-man, homage-style vid, this one from Josh Martinez and Moka, with their gonzo Fear & Loathing clip for Underground Pop (another jam I love, from Josh's excellent World Famous Sex Buffet).

Grand Analog's video for Take It Slow (Spaces and Places), is a little more traditional, the ole "let's film ourselves as we play on the back of a truck driving through Toronto", but it's no less enjoyable. Two things people love: animals and those videos where people hold signs with the lyrics on them, so I'm thinking you folks will enjoy the clip for Party Animals from Ugly Duckling-eqsue BC duo Animal Nation. We're gonna wrap up with a video that's been out for a while, but I love it and have been meaning to post for ages: Pop & Chips by More Or Les & Fresh Kils which also features Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester. Enjoy.

k-os - I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

MP3:: k-os - Uptown Girl
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/kos

Josh Martinez - Underground Pop

MP3:: Josh Martinez - Going Back To Hali
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thejoshmartinez

Grand Analog - Take It Slow (Spaces and Places)

MP3:: Grand Analog - Electric City f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/grandanalog

Animal Nation - Party Animals

MP3:: Animal Nation - Party Animals
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/animalnation

More Or Les & Fresh Kils - Pop & Chips (feat. Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester)

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Ghettosocks, Grand Analog, Josh Martinez, k-os, Moka Only, More Or Les, Video hits

This post right here is what we call in the biz a "twofer", as it kills two blogging birds with one stone (and yeah, I made that up, because that is likely the first time I've actually written the word "twofer"). It's main purpose is to remind folks that Josh Martinez is playing tonight at the Paragon Theatre, and ole Josh deserves a warm reception from his hometown, so if you're able to get out and see him, I recommend it.

The other purpose this post serves is to allow me to talk about The Chicharones and their Swine Country EP, which I'd meant to talk about at the same time that I reviewed Josh's last album, The World Famous Sex Buffet. The Chicharones are a duo comprised of one half Josh, and the other half being Portland MC Sleep. I'll admit I wasn't too familiar with Sleep, but he's well connected in the indie rap world (his last solo album was out on Strange Famous), and is a solid MC to boot. Together they make hip hop that is a little bit adventurous, funny, angry, and really quite good.

I believe a Swine Country full-length has been in the works for awhile, and could see the light of day before the end of the year, but this is a hefty EP, with an intro and seven full songs. They only needed one to hook me though, as the first one You Gotta Move, has everything I need. The beat is solid, and each verse starts with a little lyrical homage to a classic golden age song (Boomin' System, Children's Story, and Jump). As if that wasn't enough, the duo makes a sweet ref to a duo close to the hill's heart: "the Hall & Oates of this rap shit, we rock dance moves, people don't have that". You mention the H&O, we mention you. It's pretty simple.

What, you need to hear more about the Chicharones and this record? Well how about if I told you they also have a half-sung, doo-wopish song called Go Fuck Yourself? Apropos of nothing, Sleep sounds like an indie hip hop Lil' Fame on this song, and that is awesome. Also, how many hip hop albums do you know with a surf rock style jam called Taco Wagon on them? I thought so. Go see Josh tonight, and check out the Chicharones.

MP3:: The Chicharones - You gotta Move
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thechicharones

VIDEO:: The Chicharones - Taco Wagon

Labels: Halifax, Josh Martinez, Live, The Chicharones