If you have your finger on the Toronto music scene, or also if you happen to be a dub slave, then you’ve probably heard of Zeds Dead. ZD is a duo made up of Hooks and DC (pictured above) that started out both listening to and making hip-hop music, but somewhere along the way they got a bit sidetracked and ended up taking their hybrid sound to places more suitable for places where strobe lights pounce across walls and raging arms. And pouches of cocaine and ex and stuff.
For many reasons, club musics tend to far more international currency, or at least translation, when it comes to picking up a fanbase across international seas. So it perhaps comes as no surprise, that Zeds has over 50,000 followers on their facebook page, and most of the people screaming — or, erm, writing — their names are from far away lands like Denmark where the people write their names with with letters like this: å.
Enjoy!
While Brother Ali was in London for a show, he sat down with Chedo and The Come Up Show to discuss how independent music, or music from the margins, plays an important role in not only developing critical thinking skills in kids, but exercising those of adults. Ali also talks about music as a gateway to understanding others; sometimes, the most gracious gift of music isn’t a path to better understand yourself, it’s getting a chance to be exposed to the situations and perspectives of those whose acts and motivations may otherwise remain misunderstood.
The Come Up Show team packed up our bags and headed to Brampton to visit the ever-chill Moka Only in studio. While Moka may be pretty low key in person, anyone who has followed his 16-year (and growing) career knows he is anything but low-key when it comes to making music. It’s not that his music isn’t chill, it’s that Moka is one of those hyper-productive — and therefore prolific — artists with a knack for churning out new music at a rate likely faster than you can consume it: Since 1995, Moka has notched around sixty solo projects and collaborations on his belt. Does Oscar Meyer even make wieners that fast?
Moka is prolific, yes, but his past work doesn’t compromise his forward-pressing mentality and relentless self-critique. As he told us when we asked him to reflect on his impressive opus, he actually considers himself a slow poke. “I could actually stand to pick it up…” he says, “it’s not that much, really, per year…”
Click play and one of Canada’s legends talk humbly about his craft, his affinity for Jazz, his anxiety of influence, and some the personal philosophies that guide his music making behind the scenes.
Caught up with Ab-Soul during the Road To Paid Dues tour stop in Toronto. This young emcee from Carson, California has made a name for himself from the Long Term Mentality mixtape series and he just released volume 3 on itunes this past week.
In our interview Ab-soul talks about his label Top Dawg Ent which consists of SchoolboyQ, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, he also tells me why he doesn’t aspire to be on XXL’s freshman list, why he started questioning religion once he started reading on Malcom X, and the power of our words. Check out this amazing interview and the photo gallery with the homie Ab-Soul on The Come Up Show.
It’s another hilarious interview with D-Sisive and Muneshine, I must say I have such a great time interviewing these two. I also have to say I really noticed D-sisive’ confidence and hunger talking to him, you can tell just by watching as we discuss Jonestown 2.
He also tells me what happened to the name change from D-Sisive to Derek from Northcliffe and on why he released his album for free.
I didn’t know until I was at the show but Mickey Factz was opening for Bun-B in the Trill OG tour. Factz told me about the debut album The Achievement, he called it a celebratory album, encouraging listeners to follow their dreams, hopes, and aspirations. With songs like Do it for the culture, We Young, he also wants us to have fun and continue to enjoy life. Mickey Factz is truly chasing his dreams and since he came from nothing, he also discusses what keeps him motivated.
Check out the Mickey Factz Interview on The Come Up Show and make sure to take a peek of our gallery of Mickey Factz by Andrew Stephenson.
“I’m a leader cuz I chose to step up/these brothers think Heinz all they do is catch up”.
Blake Carrington’s verse on Famous’ A Kid Tryna Make It made me a new fan of his music. I realized how important it is for a new artist to come correct on everything they do because they can gain a new fan.
I kicked with Blake Carrington and his producer Ric Notes who has produced for Shad, Tona, Drake, and so much more. We talked about how they met, the importance of a first impression, and branding your art. Blake Carrington has a bright future and I’m excited to see his career grow.
Pharoahe Monch discusses why this is the best time in Hip-Hop, the concept of the brand new album W.A.R., why he chose particular producers like Marco Polo and much more. Go buy Pharoahe Monch album W.A.R. NOW on itunes.
Mac Miller really is the hardest working kid in America. When I interviewed him he just graduated high school and since then he has toured internationally, dropped The Best Day Ever mixtape and is working on another project with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
In our interview he talked about the influence Old School Hip-Hop had on him; artists like Big L, Outkast, and Tribe Called Quest. Why he thinks it’s important to never get ahead of yourself and how shocked he is with his success.
Our first interview with Raekwon was right before the release of Only Built for Cuban Linx II, this time around we caught up just in time for the brand new album Shaolin vs. Wu-tang. Raekwon discusses the concept of the album, and he also shares the moment when he realized Hip-Hop was his calling.
18 years later, Raekwon also shares the secret to his success of being a relevant artist, while his favourites “couldn’t do 18 pieces of chicken”. Make SURE to also check out the photo gallery of Raekwon during the listening session.
I have a lot of respect for Peter Jackson because he is constantly grinding, touring with artists like Tech-N9ne, Wu Tang, Kardinal Offishall, Nas and many more. I caught up with him at the Raekwon listening session, it was his birthday so we kicked for a quick interview.
Make sure to look out for Peter Jackson’s mixtape No Talking on The Come Up Show tomorrow.
