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NOW readers have spoken. You filled out NOW’s Readers Poll 2001 and told us what and who you think rules in T.O. Our ballot count once again climbed this year, making the final results more meaningful than ever. To add to the fun, NOW editors have added their tips on what rocks. Here’s the complete picture.
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Best Local Author Who Most Wishes She’d Lose
MARGARET ATWOOD
Seven Best Of Toronto readers polls, seven victories — and not only because of the quality of the fiction, poetry and essays Margaret Atwood’s written over the past four decades. OK, she’s right up there with wheat and softwood lumber as far as Canadian exports go. But just as impressive is the way she lives her life as a citizen of the city — kicking it in for anti-censorship causes, supporting young writers and, even with all those blockbuster prizes, including the Booker for The Blind Assassin, continuing to write for small, independent publications.
Best-Dressed MC Most Likely to Bust Out in America
KARDINAL Offishall
The Northern Touch spark plug and most charismatic MC in the T-dot seems to have all the pieces in place. The fast-talking MC/producer with the megawatt grin mashes up hiphop flair with dancehall roughness in both his music and his clothes — who else would have the nerve to wear full, furry purple and white outfits?
Clearly, it’s paid off. The leap from independent artist to major label player with flashy videos was remarkably smooth, largely because Kardinal didn’t become a different person when his budget grew. When Vince Carter was looking for half-time entertainment for his first annual all-star charity game, he tapped Kardi to rock the ACC with his BaKardi Slang single. A string of dates opening in America for Shaggy helped push his stateside rep along, and forthcoming production work for the Wu-Tang Clan should boost Kardinal’s chances of being the first Canadian hiphop star to truly break in America.
