Dan-e-o’s legacy continues with the full length release of Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later. Description says it all. Copp on iTunes or stream there or on Spotify. Congrats man!

On November 5, 1996, Toronto-based label, Beat Factory released the seminal Canadian hip-hop compilation, Rap Essentials Volume One. Helping to further energize the already-established careers of such north-of-the-border lyrical heavyweights as Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Ghetto Concept and Rascalz, the album is also credited for launching the career of Scarborough lyricist, Dan-e-o. 

With his featured single, “Dear Hip Hop”, Dan-e-o immediately cemented himself as one of Canada’s premier MCs. A quasi-love letter to the music and culture he adores, the Scam-produced single has stood the test of time and has garnered itself “classic” status in the annals of Canadian hip-hop history. 

With his fourth album, Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later, Dan-e-o both commemorates the two decade milestone of the release of his legendary debut and pays tribute to a long list of inspirations. “The artists I pay tribute to on this album by including them as guests helped pave the way for me to become the artist I am,” says Dan-e-o, “But they themselves have also enjoyed the last 20 years or so of invigorating hip-hop culture. So this new album is as much about celebrating Canadian hip-hop as a whole as it is about my first single. Really, I’m just a chapter in a much bigger story.” 

Among the honoured guests on the album are URBNET label mate, Moka Only, “Northern Touch” legend, Thrust and the Godfather of Canadian hip-hop himself, Maestro Fresh Wes. They all appear on the posse cut and lead single, “League Of Legends”, which is produced by Scam – reuniting Dan-e-o with the producer of “Dear Hip Hop” 20 years after its release. 

Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later is a unique combination of re-mastered gems recorded during the mid-90’s and brand new golden era-esque bangers, which include “Rap Essentials”, an ode to the compilation that started it all with alumni, Mathematik and Deuce Deuce of Concrete Mob and a symbolic tribute to J Dilla entitled “Spit” featuring the late legend’s brother, Illa J. 

The album is set for release on Friday, October 6, 2017 via URBNET. 

Track Listing

01. Dear Hip Hop
02. Constipated
03. Mental Mirage
04. Son Daze
05. Mic Surgery
06. Dear Hip Hop (The 2nd Letter) (feat. Choclair, Frankenstein & Grimace Love)
07. Incarceration
08. So Deep
09. Danish (feat. Nish Raawks)
10. Dear Hip Hop (Remix)
11. League Of Legends (feat. Thrust, Maestro Fresh Wes, Moka Only, Big Kish & Eternia)
12. Rap Essentials (feat. Mathematik & Deuce Deuce)
13. Spit (feat. Illa J)

It’s the 1st 2nd 3rd of the moooooooooonth…!!!

13 fire joints this month that we had to cut down from like over 30. Be sure to check www.cityonmyback.com daily to be kept up with everything. Shouts to all these artists mannnnn…!!!

The Toronto Sound | September 2017
01. Sean Leon – VINTAGE
02. Clairmont The Second – Wezide
03. SAFE – New Regime
04. LOU VAL – INTERCHANGES
05. JAHKOY – Language of Love
06. Majid Jordan – My Imagination feat. dvsn
07. Xhyi – MOOnDaLini
08. Sean Leon – BY MYSELF 9:11 PM EST
09. TRIPSIXX – Wake The Dead Up
10. PARTYNEXTDOOR – Better Man feat. Rick Ross
11. Adria Kain – Alone
12. dvsn – Mood
13. McCallaman – Beautiful Trouble feat. Roni

Previous: THE TORONTO SOUND | AUGUST 2017

Between this and PND’s latest the city’s got you covered this weekend with new music. New album from Clairmont!!! 4 seconds longer than an EP so yes…official Long Play from the kid.

Written & Performed by Clairmont The Second

Produced by Clairmont The Second
Mixed & Mastered by Clairmont The Second

*Ma Homie Gawd also Written & Performed by Hezi

Previous: NEW VIDEO: CLAIRMONT THE SECOND – 2 RICH 4 ME (DIRECTED BY CLAIRMONT THE SECOND)

Damn! 8 years of 88 Days. Congrats to the WHOLE fam!

Celebrating 8 years, Toronto based collective/label ’88 Days Of Fortune’ release ‘Cosmic Melanin’ Mixtape.

Celebrating 8 years, Toronto based collective/label 88 Days Of Fortune release
‘Cosmic Melanin’ mixtape on Friday Sept. 22nd in advance of their official Nuit Blanche event ‘Cosmic Melanin: Enter The Loop’ taking place on Saturday Sept. 30th at Nathan Phillips Square.

Twenty original songs featuring new and unreleased music from collective and community members like:

2017 Polaris Music Prize winner Lido Pimienta, Witch Prophet, SassyBlack, Latasha Alcindor, Stas THEE Boss , Indian Agent, + More!

“Celebrating 8 years of 88 Days Of Fortune is something that I’m honestly very proud of. Who would have thought that what started out as a little backyard performance party would one day flourish and be a full time platform for so many different artists, musicians and creatives inside and outside of Canada? This mixtape is just a small drop in the ever full (and overflowing) underground talent pool that 88 Days has been lucky to be a part of. We are so thankful to be entrusted to share music from collective and community members from Toronto, Brooklyn, Seattle, Detroit, Alaska, Colombia, New Jersey, Oakland + beyond!

Cosmic Melanin is magic. It’s the ability to see that we are all made of star dust.”
– Ayo Leilani, Co Founder / Director

STREAM/DOWNLOAD COSMIC MELANIN HERE:
https://88daysoffortune.bandcamp.com/album/cosmic-melanin-compilation

It’s the first of the moooooooooonth!!!

Mannnn….this was a TOUGH month to get the playlist down to like 10-12 tracks. So much music came out this summer (as per usual) so def check out the blog for a lot more. But in the meantime…

The Toronto Sound | August 2017
01. LOU VAL – RUSH HOUR
02. PARTYNEXTDOOR – NAKED
03. Joël Lobban – Room 47
04. Kennedy Rd. – Day and Nite
05. DESIIRE – No Feelings feat. Jordan Jones
06. Derin Falana – Break Out
07. ShaqIsDope – Anointed Ones
08. sean leon – GOLD
09. Jimmy Prime & Pollari – Honest
10. JAHAIL – ON ROAD
11. Adria Kain – Something New
12. McCallaman – Karma

Previous: THE TORONTO SOUND | JULY 2017

See, wasn’t lying. Taking this one in this weekend for sure. Congrats to the fam!

Today, Raz Fresco releases his latest project “How U Survive Through Life Everyday” (H.U.S.T.L.E) through his own The Black Light Conglomerate label. A collection of music compiled over the last two years, H.U.S.T.L.E captures Raz as he journeys from being a teenager into adulthood and all the struggles that come along with it: from becoming a father and the head of his own household to being mired in legal problems and almost murdered in early 2017. H.U.S.T.L.E is a soundtrack for those who have to get up and go get it. Where success isn’t just a vision or desire, but the only option. It features classic Raz lyricism mixed with a broad variety of production and tempos. From the streets to the club to the weed café, the project has something for every hip-hop connoisseur regardless of their stylistic preference. H.U.S.T.L.E.” represents his evolution as an artist and a man, while serving as a glimpse of what is to come as he preps a slew of new releases.

Previous: NEW VIDEO: RAZ FRESCO – FLOWS (DIRECTED BY ZAC FACTS)

Directed by Merna.

Sans is out now!

Sans Short Film – Part one of three.

Written and Directed by Merna
Edited by Zac Facts
DOP Mike McLaughlin
Production Design Melanie Garros
Make Up Ashley Victoria
Choreography Hollywood Jade

Produced with the financial assistance of MuchFACT, a division of Bell Media Inc.

a l l i e releases her debut full length album with production from River Tiber, 2nd Son, Harrison, Birthday Boy and more.

DOWNLOAD/STREAM NIGHTSHADE

Singer/songwriter a l l i e is the new voice of seduction. With every word, she captures the blissful feeling of desire and tender love on her 10-track album, Nightshade, out today. This new release from a l l i e is her first full-length offering since her previous EPs, Strange Creature in 2013 and Moonlust in 2015. Nightshade‘s first single, “Bad Habits,” is an anthem for resolving conflict with one’s vices. The song’s video was premiered by Okayplayer in conjunction with their weekly First Look Friday feature—a formal introduction to rising talent. “a l l i e, is a chosen act meant to take experimental sounds to the next level,” declared Okayplayer.

The beatsmiths behind Nightshade is a range of Canadian talent. 2nd Son, The Kount, Harrison, River Tiber, Birthday Boy, Sunclef, Danny Voicu and MiddleEast brought diverse sounds that complimented a l l i e’s soothing voice and lyricism inspired by feminine divinity. On “Take Me There,” alongside Toronto stand-out Charlotte Day Wilson, a l l i e skillfully sets a mood of an unforgettable moment where making the first move is an addictive memory, worthy of rewinding. Her sensual vocal tone throughout the album is intoxicating, easily relaxing to the listener. Chord progression and plush drum programming create a comfortable backdrop. “Wildcat,” produced by 2nd Son and The Kount, manifests the synth chord blueprint. The gentle slow jam savors the feeling of being subdued. 2nd Son and The Kount also produced the stuttery-bounce of “Move Like A Mystic,” on which a l l i e shows her versatility by rapping over the beat.

In 2015, a l l i e was selected to be a part of the Red Bull Sound Select program, the curated platform for unique artists to release songs through Red Bull and perform at the company’s sponsored events. Her previous shows aligned her with international acts such as SZA, Kelela, and Tink. a l l i e was raised by her mother, and born to a Jamaican-Canadian father who nurtured her with soul, jazz and reggae music. Toronto’s West End was her home, the downtown part of the city where she was at the center of everything. Maintaining close ties to her hometown, a l l i e has become a fixture in the area’s music community witnessing its rapid growth over the years.

It’s the 1st of the mooooooonth…!!!

May edition of The Toronto Sound. Admittedly, this one’s a touch R&B-heavy but it is what it is. Toronto’s R&B movement right now is something kinda lovely – but what else is new. Was definitely tough to get this down to 10 tracks this month – but what else is new, lol.

Shouts to all these artists mannnn!

The Toronto Sound | May 2017
01. anders – You For You
02. Raahiem – Fast Life
03. alcordo – No Good
04. Derin Falana – Sunset Interlude
05. Tory Lanez – Out of Center feat. Dave East
06. DillanPonders – PLANET PONDERS
07. Luu Breeze – Slow Down Night
08. anders – December
09. dvsn – Think About Me
10. Lydia Beyene – My Love

Previous: THE TORONTO SOUND | APRIL 2017

It’s the 2nd of the moooooooooonth!

Sorry, yo. We’re a day late with this one. The album’s still straight heat though!!! Shouts to the city.

Ya we know. Lou Phelps is from MTL, not Toronto. But that’s what we do at Cityonmyback.com…show love to HEAT from across Canada regardless.

Happy to present another dope lineup of joints from the month of April, 2017. Shouts to all these artists mannnnnn!

The Toronto Sound | April 2017
01. Jessie Reyez – Gatekeeper
02. Pyrex – ‘94
03. Blacka Da Don – What I’ve Been Through
04. Reema Major – AK47
05. Lou Phelps – What Time is It? feat. Innanet James
06. Julian Thomas – more
07. Roy Woods – Love You
08. anders – don’t call
09. Just Chase – EGO
10. K. Forest – On Deck
11. Desiire – Reckless

Previous: THE TORONTO SOUND | MARCH 2017