No Canadian hip hop songs reached the Top 100 on the Canadian pop charts between 1992 and 1998 despite the big breakthrough in 1990.

In the last article of this series, it was chronicled how Maestro Fresh, Dream Warriors, Michie Mee, and Main Source broke barriers for Canadian hip hop with mainstream success. Fresh-Wes’ debut album Symphony in Effect sold more than 150,000 copies, included a second hit, “Drop the Needle,” and in 1991 won the inaugural Juno Award for best rap recording.

THE MID 90s HIP HOP SCENE WAS CHANGING

Something unusual occurred where the talent expanded, but the exposure diminished. In 1994, Canada’s first rap group were once again nominated for Best R&B/Soul Recording with Love Me Right.

Across the border New Jack Swing was all the rage in the early 90’s and Montreal’s MCJ and Cool G (James McQuaid and Richard Gray respectively, originally from Halifax) mastered that style that would appeal to mainstream audiences.

Although MCJ and Cool G would pave the way for mainstream hip hop groups or duos on television, the landscape of hip hop was changing with new vanguard emcees that spoke on life issues.

EZ ON THA MOTION

The hood stories from Rexdale were told by Ghetto Concept.  In 1994, they released their second single “E-Z On Tha Motion”. “Certified” and “E-Z On Tha Motion” would go on to win the group Juno Awards in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

1995 also marked the departure of Infinite from the group, who, following the murder of his brother, pursued a solo career as a musician afterward. He spoke with WorldWide Entertainment TV about his time with the group and why he left.

ALSO CHECK OUT INFINITE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WORLDWIDE ENTERTAINMENT TV

HATE RUNS DEEP

On the single “Hate Runs Deep,” Saukrates proved in 1995, that the Toronto scene was getting more artistic with visuals and lyricism in a collaboration with Marvel of F.O.S.

As MuchMusic television started to target the hip hop audience with shows such as RapCity and Soul In The City, Toronto artists started to get airplay in ways that countered the lack of radio airplay that other genres were receiving.

NORTHERN TOUCH

A rap group coming out of Vancouver would make their mark. The Rascalz would draw attention mainstream wise with their joint entitled “Northern Touch.” The single would include other prominent Toronto artists.

They had previously released a major label project with Sony Music Canada, Really Living, in 1993 that got multiple Juno nominations. It wasn’t until the classic collaboration with Kardinal, Thrust, Choclair, Checkmate, and an appearance with video vixen legend Melyssa Ford.

Kardinal Offishall at this time was apart of a hip hop crew by the name of “The Circle,” that included Choclair,  Jully Black, Solitair, Tara Chase, and Saukrates.  Kardinal, Choclair, and Marvel joined Saukrates in 2017 to remix the classic single.

As new rappers came onto the scene, the man who broke down the doors for everyone came roaring back with “Stick To Your Vision.” Hip hop’s early days were known for its samples because most rappers could not afford fully new production.

STICK TO YOUR VISION

Maestro Fresh Wes kept it fully Canadian when he sampled the 1968 classic, “These Eyes,” from Canadian rock band The Guess  Who’s album Wheatfield Soul.

Dropping rhymes that bragged about the accomplishments he made that advanced the Canadian hip hop scene, he rapped, “Got Toronto’s rap title to mad recitals, met Quincy Jones in ’89, that’s my idol.”

Not mincing any words when it came to getting respect from iconic rappers such as Chuck D, Maestro stated on the single, “Even done shows with the greatest emcees of all-time, I was the one who used to say (’89 is mine).”

DEAR HIP HOP

The decline in hip hop’s exposure in Canada post ’91 didn’t stop the love of the genre from artists and fans alike. No other single explained this love affair than “Dear Hip Hop” by Dan-E-o.

ALSO CHECK OUT DAN-E-O WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

His ode to hip hop, related to those in Canada that were trying to build their own rap scene exclusively compared to their southern counterpart across the border. Released in 1996, the song would have lasting effect on hip hop in Toronto and the rest of the country for decades. Dan-E-0 would release a 20 year project that was in tribute to the 90s classic. The re-release was also accompanied by one of the greatest hip hop shows that consisted strictly of Canadian rappers ever.

HONORABLE MENTION

Despite the lack of exposure on radio and mainstream outlets, there were still a few artists that kept it pushing with repackaging such as Graphidi Logik. Frankie Payne representing southside Jane Strip, led his group to rare television appearances on MuchMusic and dropped music videos such as “Can I Get A Yo.”

The mid 90s saw the rise of rap groups in the United States when the teenager rap group Mobb Deep was taking New York by storm. On the west coast, Tha Dogg Pound was on heavy rotation. In Toronto, teenage rap groups with the street vibe included The Smugglaz with Norpo in 1997 and Redlife with the melodic “Who’s Talking Weight.

Choclair dropped a collaboration with Canada’s “R & B” Queen Jully Black that was well received as the two would go on to bigger things in later years. In 1996, Rap Essentials album was released on Beat Factory Music which is known for being a landmark project that helped to gain more attention for the underground scene.

Another woman was coming onto the scene that had brought that Bohemian style that was popular across the border. Tara Chase was apart of the important Rap Essentials album with her single “Autonomy.”