Up-and-coming rapper and Flow 93.5 FM radio personality Ashton “Famous” Bishop, aka The Kid!, is the embodiment of new Canadian hip hop music.
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As far as the pursuit of happiness goes, he ain’t kidding. One look at his catalogue from the past year shows that Famous is dead serious about getting his Andy Warhol on, and capitalizing on his successes. Hell, he’s hustling shirts that announce “I RAP NOW” on them. If that’s not a wake-up call…
But his success is pretty clear, why does he have to announce it?
Famous can be heard ever week delivering 60 Seconds of Fame, a segment that finds Famous chatting with a guest about whatever they like. He’s also gone from radio host to energetic performer, opening up for Nas earlier this year, as well as performing with Fabolous and JR Writer. He’s has gone from radio host to full-fledged performer in record-time.
He has worn many hats, however, on his ascent to his current spot as one of Canada’s most recognized new-school rap artists. Like many talented Canadian artists must do to keep the dream going, Famous worked behind the scenes in the music industry at Universal/Def Jam, and handled artist development at Sony/BMG, while working boring day jobs at Tim Horton’s and sneaker shops, and hosting a 93.5 radio spot as a voice on one of the best radio programs in Toronto hip hop history, OTA Live!
But how did Famous become notable as a hip-hopper so quickly?
Probably because of his Herculean work ethic, and the astoundingly efficient team he has supporting him. He’s managed by silent-but-deadly Canadian music industry icon Reza of RezDigital.
Completing three well-crafted independent videos in the span of a year, it’s easy to see that he’s got the self-confidence, or what the kids call “swagger” these days, that is necessary to propel an artist to a position of influence in the rapidly-shifting world of hip hop. With the Clinton Sparks EP co-sign I RAP NOW EP, making segments of 15 Minutes of Famous with the likes of DJ Drama as well as DJ Whoo Kid, and harnessing Kardinal Offishall and Tona in his I’m Here video, which was released to much acclaim on Caribana weekend this year, Famous is rapidly gaining accomplishments, which will certainly catch the attention of higher-ups in the music industry.
For this rapper, sometimes being “Famous” is all that it’s cracked up to be.
Check out his singles I Just Can’t Front, T-Dot Money feat. Spex & Dr. Jay, and Ain’t No Use.
