Great critical piece about the undervaluing of our local hip-hop scene and the role that has played in its economic/industry shortcomings, written by Ian Kamau and currently up on Vice/Noisey.

WE NEED MORE OF THIS TYPE OF ANALYSIS FROM OUR MEDIA!

A few weeks ago I read an article that addressed a statement made by Drake in a short promotional documentary which features the Toronto rapper. In the commercial Drake confidently encourages emerging artists to “do it from where you’re at!” This statement grabbed my attention, partly because I think it’s an important one, and partly because I am an rapper born and raised in Toronto. Although the statement has some merit to it, it isn’t totally true. Yes, the Internet has changed the music industry completely by providing an opportunity for international exposure where at one point there was nothing. Artists like Shi Wisdom, Jazz Cartier and Daniel Caesar (currently some of my favorites from Toronto) have all used the Internet to build their audience locally and internationally. However, Drake’s statement is oversimplified and doesn’t take into account the labyrinth of gatekeepers, relationships, and power dynamics in the music industry as a whole, and the lack of accessible music infrastructure in Canada specifically.

Read the full piece @ http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/an-insiders-look-in-examining-the-real-value-of-torontos-rap-scene

Previously: NEW MUSIC: IAN KAMAU “HEADING HOME” (THE GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW REMIX EP)