Inside the Mind of a Hip-Hop Guru Vol. 3 [Spotify Playlist]

DK - Reflections ft. Ghettosocks [Video Premiere]

Halifax, NS - Producer DK joined forces with fellow Halifax native emcee Ghettosocks for the single/video, "Reflections."

"For the concept of the track, I pitched him the beat and we were talking about how some people don't self-reflect and therefore create unintended consequences for themselves," says DK via email. "Ghettosocks definitely did his thing & incorporated my thoughts into his writing."

"As for the concept for the video, I have to give Ghettosocks credit, as in the first few lines of the track, he says "in the clouds" - and we built around the reflections concept by filming him rapping as if he was in the clouds," explains DK.

"Reflections" is part of an EP that the two of them are working on. The project doesn't have a title or release date yet but it features heavy hitters like Skyzoo, O.C. and the Artifacts.

"I'm also releasing a "producer EP" project on August 28th, called "Soul Expressions" featuring Ghettosocks, Aquakultre, Timbuktu, Cam James, Touch and Justo the MC to be available on all streaming platforms," says DK. "I have already released audio of the first single, "Coltranes of the Movement" exclusively on 7" with the bonus track "Reflections" (from the next project) featured on the B-side. It is available exclusively through our distributor, Black Buffalo Records (blackbuffalorecords.ca)."

Check out DK and Ghettosocks' "Reflections" above.

Having Success Despite Going Against the Grain

Me and Shad backstage after his show in Toronto in 2013

                                               
I have always had a great deal of respect for hip-hop artists who go against the grain as opposed to trend-hopping. Shad, k-os and Moka Only are three non-conformist, original thinkers who fall into this category. Interestingly enough, I have interacted with each of these dudes in some capacity. I met Shad backstage at a show in Toronto back in 2013, I interviewed k-os over the phone for a piece that I wrote for Noisey Canada in 2015 and I met Moka Only at a show in Guelph in 2016.

I'd like to focus on Shad to start things off. He has been a jack of all trades since he starting releasing music back in 2005. Not only can he rap, but he can sing and play the guitar. His latest album, A Short Story About a War, was released last year and was well-received on CBC and Spotify. He toured to promote the album too. Even though his music doesn't follow trends, it appeals to a broader audience, not just hip-hop fans, as he fuses many different genres together. Here is a list of his accomplishments: won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year in 2011 for TSOL, former host of CBC Radio One's Q and former host of Hip-Hop Evolution, which was a Canadian music documentary series that profiled the history of hip-hop music in America. It won the 2016 Peabody Award and the 2017 International Emmy Award for Best Arts Programming. As you can tell from his various achievements and endeavours, Shad is a well-rounded individual who spreads positivity and makes conscious hip-hop.

                                                    Source: Wikipedia

Now let's switch things up and gravitate towards k-os. There are definite similarities between Shad and k-os, as they are both eclectic hip-hop artists who spit bars, sing and play guitar. Songwriting and producing are a couple other skills that he possesses. They have both collaborated with each other on tracks as well. k-os has been doing his thing since 1993 when he released the single "Musical Essence." During his career, two of his albums have gone platinum: Joyful Rebellion in 2004 and Atlantis: Hymns for Disco in 2006. Here's a tweet from k-os where he references the Atlantis album: 

In addition to hip-hop, he likes to throw other genres into the mix, including funk, rock and reggae. He is known for promoting positivity in his music. k-os has raked in a plethora of awards during his time in the industry, like when his single "Crabbuckit" won a MuchMusic Video Award for Best Pop Video and a Juno Award for Single of the Year in 2005. He has won many other awards in addition to those ones. Despite having multiple platinum albums and winning numerous awards, k-os has never been in it for the money and fame, instead, he's a practical-thinking artist who loves creating art.

                                         Source: Twitter

And last but not least, Moka Only. First off, I'd like to say that this dude has one of the biggest discographies I've ever seen in my life. According to his Wikipedia page, he's created more than 80 studio albums during his time in the music biz, including his first solo album, Upcoast Relix, in 1995. And consider this, that doesn't even include the EPs, collaborative work or Swollen Members' albums. Most casual fans of Canadian hip-hop are familiar with his name due to his past association with Swollen Members as opposed to his solo work. While Moka was part of Swollen Members, he won three Juno Awards and five MuchMusic Video Awards. I must confess, I haven't listened to a lot of his solo efforts, but the stuff I have listened to has very chilled out vibes, which I dig. I would definitely classify his brand of music as abstract hip-hop and he's known for integrating jazz into his tunes. Creating art that goes against the grain is one thing, but being able to live off it, like he does, is even more impressive. You also have to consider that only a small percentage of Canadian hip-hop artists are in a position where they can rely on their music earnings as a sole means of income. Respects to Shad, k-os and Moka Only for being successful despite taking the road less travelled!

Eh Vee - Clash of the Titans ft. Eternia & Adam Bomb (prod. by JSG) [Audio]

Guelph, ON - Eh Vee has joined forces with veteran emcees Eternia and Adam Bomb on "Clash of the Titans," which was produced by JSG. This track is a lyrical banger that will have you nodding your head from start to finish. The song will be featured on Eh Vee's upcoming EP, Clash of the Titans. Make sure to check out the link below!