Raz Fresco
Early 90s East Coast rap is having its moment now that the generation of rappers who were in their infancy when the hard, stripped-back sounds of Gang Starr and Wu-Tang Clan were making an impact have come of age.
Much like his New York revivalist peers Bishop Nehru and Joey Bada$$, Toronto rapper/producer Raz Fresco‘s music is full of nods to that era’s soulful samples and grimy drums.
Less than a week after playing NXNE, Fresco launches his debut album, Pablo Frescobar (out July 1 via Black Light/Duck Down), at the Drake, and the lineup he’s put together to celebrate includes risings stars Tre Mission and Rich Kidd, plus his BKR$CLB collective cohort The 6th Letter.
The local star power he’s mustered isn’t surprising considering Pablo Frescobar features collaborations with no less than Raekwon, Chuck Inglish and Nehru.
At the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen West), Tuesday (June 30), 9 pm.
ROAD TO BATL: WITH BIBLICAL, PUBLIC ANIMAL, BURNING LOVE, VESPER LYND Batl Grounds Axe Throwing (33 Villiers), Thursday (June 25) Live music meets… axe throwing!
SHANIA TWAIN Air Canada Centre (40 Bay), Thursday (June 25) The woman in us all.
HOBSON’S CHOICE, DARREN HANLON Burdock (1184 Bloor West), Thursday (June 25) Aussie folk rocker & T.O. chamber jazz.
A CLUB CALLED RHONDA w/ Robert Owens, Little Boots, Honey Soundsystem, The Black Madonna, Goddollars & Paradise and more Drake Underground (1150 Queen West), Thursday (June 25) See Pride roundup.
GYPSOPHILIA Roy Thomson Hall patio (60 Simcoe), Friday (June 26) See preview.
KRAAK & SMAAK, CYCLIST & DICKYSTIXX The Black Eagle (457 Church), Friday (June 26) See Pride roundup.
DIGITAL DREAMS w/ Armin Van Buuren, Zedd, Carl Cox, Steve Angello, Martin Garrix, Pete Tong, Excision, Claude Von Stroke, Datsik, Dubfire and others The Flats at Ontario Place (955 Lake Shore West), Saturday and Sunday (June 27 and 28) See Pride roundup.
HOTNUTS w/ Avan Lava, DJs Produzentin, Das Hussy, Jeremy Glenn The Garrison (1197 Dundas West), Saturday (June 27) See Pride roundup.
GREEN SPACE FESTIVAL: DISCO DISCO w/ Kerri Chandler, Horse Meat Disco, Phil V, Diego Armand, Kris Steeves Barbara Hall Park (519 Church), Sunday (June 28) See Pride roundup.
BLOCKORAMA w/ Sharaya J, Destra, Jojo Flores, DJ Blackcat, DJ Bambii, Tynomi Banks, Vitality Black, Jada Hudson and others TD Wellesley Stage (15 Wellesley East), Sunday (June 28) Missy Elliott’s protege hits Blocko.
KING SUNNY ADE Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Monday (June 29) Nigeria’s Minister of Enjoyment.
THE TRAGICALLY HIP Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lake Shore West), Wednesday (July 1) Putting the Canada in Canada Day.
ELECTRIC ISLAND w/ Sasha, Marcel Dettman, Lee Foss, Dennis Ferrer, Greg Gow, Jeff Button, Jonathan Rosa Hanlan’s Point Beach (Toronto Islands), Wednesday (July 1) Canada Day rave.
