Rating: NNNNN
See it
Clubs
Opera House (735 Queen East, 416-466-0313)
Sound Academy (11 Polson, 416-461-3625)
Trane Studio (964 Bathurst, 416-913-8197). Hajile Kalaike does shows here.
Suba (292 College, 416-921-7822). Fred E. Fame does shows here, the 5th Element series.
Rivoli (332 Queen West, 416-596-1908). Rhythmicru hold parties here.
Circa (126 John, 416-979-0044)
Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East, 416-869-0045)
The Boat (158 Augusta, 416-593-9218). Hip Hop Karaoke.
Andy Pool Hall (489 College, 416-923-5300). Street DJ Fase weekly jam.
The Guvernment (132 Queens Quay East, 416-869-0045)
The Phoenix (410 Sherbourne, 416-323-1251)
Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas West, 416-588-0307)
Promoters
REMG ENTERTAINMENT
www.ramosent.com
Canada’s number-one hip-hop music promoter and contributor to the growth of T.O.’s live scene.
ROUND TABLE ENTERTAINMENT
www.myspace.com/roundtableent
New-generation-friendly show promoters. Provision of community support is high on the agenda.
FRED E. FAME
www.fredefame.com
Hardworking, independently connected show organizer, a great community contributor.
ANDRE ESPINET
www.toronto-lime.com/iae/
Link to Ian Andre Espinet, one of Canada’s top hip-hop/R&B/reggae/dance promoters.
JUST ENTERTAINMENT
www.justentertainment.ca
One of Canada’s biggest concert promotions companies, working with underground and mainstream artists. JE also puts on festivals and has promoted Toronto’s independent hip-hop scene for over a decade.
Buy it
Record stores
Play De Record (357A Yonge, 416-586-0380)
Soundscapes (572 College, 416-537-1620)
Rotate This (620 Queen West, 416-504-8447)
Da Corner (256a Queen West, 416-824-9661)
Rockwell (100 Bond, 416-596-6584, at the back of the store)
Online
PHONO GRAPHIQUE
www.phonographique.com
The most complete catalogue of Canadian hip-hop for sale. This site honestly deserves our collective business.
URBNET
www.urbnet.com
Probably the biggest independent hip-hop label in Canada, and a true supporter of homegrown hip-hop, Urbnet has an amazingly diverse roster.
MUMBLES
www.mumbleship-hop.com
A record label and great source of high-quality independent Canadian and American releases.
Equipment
Moog Audio (442 Queen West, 416-599-6664)
Long & McQuade (925 Bloor West, 416-588-7886)
Steve’s Music Store (415 Queen West, 416-593-8888)
Learn about it
Online
www.hip-hopcanada.com
The biggest website dedicated to Canadian hip-hop, with interviews, audio, video, reviews, message boards and more. Plus, in partnership with KOCH Entertainment, hip-hopCanada.com is forming hip-hopCanada Digital, a record label focused on helping Canadian artists get retail distribution, starting with a hip-hop compilation.
www.brockwaybiggs.com
Official site of the East Coast MC.
www.theremixproject.blogspot.com
Links to an excellent community outreach program facilitated by Gavin Sheppard and Kehinde Bah.
www.respectmusic.net
A site linking a network of resources and information for artists and entrepreneurial empowerment.
www.element416.com
A solid source for Canadian hip-hop content, audio, show dates, news, etc.
www.thecyberkrib.com
Extensive hip-hop resource. Contains artist interviews, websites and a wicked blog. Site redesign in the works and back up on April 1.
UGSMAG
www.ugsmag.com
Premium West Coast website run by Internet hip-hop pioneer Noyz319.
POUND
www.poundmag.com
Canada’s groundbreaking hip-hop magazine.
PEACE
www.peacemagazine.com
One of the longest-running and most supportive hip-hop magazines in Canadian history.
EARWAKS
www.earwaks.com
Premier multimedia website with a variety of functions, enlightened perspectives and rich content.
URBANOLOGY
www.urbanology.com
Online version of a new and informative Canadian community-friendly magazine.
WORD
www.wordmag.com
Veteran Canadian black culture publication’s educational website, with calendar and more. Word produces the Toronto Urban Music Festival and the Irie Music Festival every year.