Styles of the Illest

Uh-Oh, CPro made a sick JD Era playlist on YouTube....

2008-06-02T20:03:00.003-04:00

Click on the left and right arrows to change up the track.

Subscribe to CPro's Channel

The One - JD Era

2008-05-26T13:27:00.008-04:00

You remember JD Era don't you?
Of course you do...he's the one who keeps that money comin' in!
Well, I was just watching him at the Ecko Battles and he impressed the shit out of me. You have to check out this tight new joint, "The One". I'll have to post some of the other hot tracks of his that I like. He's got some very fine tunes floating around, I'm telling you. Prince of the North, JD Era, reppin' TDot, What.

Nem-S-Iss & Baby Grhyme - Old School

2008-04-03T02:02:00.005-04:00

This is a tight joint from two of Toronto's greatest up-and-comers. Nem-S-Iss is currently doing time in the pen for getting caught with weed and a heater in the car...rumors are neither were his. Either way, he's doing the time but when he gets out boi look out. Some hot shit is about to drop. Baby Grhyme lays it DOWN in this track too! She is tight and needs to stay in the rap game and put out some more shit for sure. Illest Styles supports you anyway Baby Grhyme. One love to Black Creek.

Califate & The Scartown Militia - Headz Up

2008-03-31T15:25:00.008-04:00

"There comes a point in everyone's life when they must stand up." And Califate's done just that. He kills this track. It finally looks like he's got some money and some peoples with dedication to the music. This is the highest quality video that he's put out and he's flossin' the highest quality threads since he's come up. I expect Califate to step up the grindin' in the future. Just check out how this video ends..."They call me Ricochet Slug"....it's tight man. One love to TDot, Scartown and all them other mens on the block.

Black Creek All Day Every Day - Nem-S-ISs - Whattup

2008-03-26T02:05:00.004-04:00

Another little video that I made up with an intro, freestyle and outro...all by Nem-S-Iss. It's on YouTube and my YouTube channel (cpro2002).

Nem-S-ISs has a few other videos that I'll review and he's sure to be coming out with lots of more good tracks and thumpin tunes for us to blog about so keep it locked.

Kidd Blitz Album Dropping soon

2008-03-18T16:40:00.005-04:00

Kidd Blitz aka Yung Carter.

Everyone wants it and soon they will get it. New Album expected to hit stores next year with some hot new solo tracks.

Can't wait KB!

Peep the new tracks on: myspace.com/hiplifecanada

Young Tony Spittin' the Real Shit

2008-03-17T23:23:00.005-04:00

This is how Young Tony does it. Down in some guys basement, spittin' story-tellin' style about what ever he wants. It's hilarious. Don't test Toronto. I hope to see more of this guy, he needs our support and so do the other rappers out there who are grindin'. The guys in Canada have it a little tougher than those down south. Less exposure and fewer labels to sign them. So post your supporting comments to all your favourite hip-hoppers and show some love.

Belly featuring Kurupt - I'm The F#$kin' Man

2008-03-17T23:07:00.006-04:00

Reppin' TDot, here's Belly with the one and only Kurupt. Sweet video and that's a sweet deal for Belly, getting Kurupt on the track, so hopefully he takes this and uses it as a springboard into bigger and better things. Keep doin' what you're doin' Belly.

Califate, Aristo, Young Tony, C4 & Mayhem comin' together for the 100 Strong Arms collabo!

2008-03-17T11:38:00.008-04:00

This is Toronto coming together. Doesn't matter the race or colour or creed, they drop it anyway. There will be much more Young Tony poppin' up around here after seeing this. He's got some sick tracks on his MySpace page that deserve some attention, not to mention he's got the flow of a master. Too bad he doesn't think rhyming is his calling....maybe we can convince him otherwise. Seen. All in all, this is a hot joint that proves Toronto has talent and proves these guys are here to stay.

Califate - My Environment

2008-03-11T23:49:00.004-04:00

This is a hot joint from Califate, ScarTown Entertainment off the RapSheet DVD. Sorry about the quality, that's the only one I could find. Post a link for a better quality and I can replace this. Scartown baby, takin' ova!

Kidd Blitz Is At It Again

2008-03-11T19:25:00.005-04:00

Here's is the Dollars Entertainment hit track, "Me Boto Ne Nye," set to a slideshow of Kidd Blitz that I just whipped together. The Ghana lyrics that you hear are his boy, Maphia, also of Dollars Entertainment. These guys are huge over in Ghana, being played on radio stations and everything.

Stay tuned for more of Kidd Blitz.

CPro's YouTube Channel

2008-03-11T18:02:00.003-04:00

...is now live. I've got the two videos I made from the last two days on there for now. Every new video I make goes on there too, so just hit subscribe.

YouTube Username: cpro2002
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/cpro2002

Califate from ScarTown Entertainment

2008-03-11T16:38:00.007-04:00

Here's another video I made with clips from The Real Toronto.
It's a quick intro followed by a freestyle from Califate.
He's reppin Scarborough, much respect.

I'll be posting a few more about this guy, he's been on the come up for a while now so keep checking back or subscribe to Illest Styles in the right-hand column.

Ricky Dred AKA King Friday

2008-03-10T21:39:00.007-04:00

I made up this video with clips from The Real Toronto.
It's a quick intro followed by a freestyle by Ricky Dred AKA King Friday.
Reppin Parkdale, Toronto.
One Love

JD Era Keeps That Money Comin' In

2008-03-10T16:17:00.006-04:00

If you haven't heard of JD Era by now...get a life. He's already taken TDot by storm in an almost Soulja Boy fashion with that catchy hook from his hit, The Paper Chase. I've been listening to his other tracks on his MySpace and there's good stuff there too. You may have seen him on a Juice DVD or even on Much Music TV...and if you STILL don't know who I'm talking about, check out his new blog. This guy deserves much respect. Styles of the Illest will follow JD Era's music and will make sure that the masses know what he's up to.

Now I'll leave you all with his great hit and definitely a Canadian hip hop classic for the decade, Paper Chase.

Nem-S-Iss is Reppin' TDot to the Fullest

2008-03-02T06:37:00.005-05:00

He's got new tracks, new money, new ladies and a new following that is sure to take him to the top. Nem-S-Iss, from Toronto, is pumping out sick tracks like this one that are sure to stick around. You may recognize him from such films as, The Real Toronto...

In loving memory of Frankie AKA Black I

2007-12-18T20:05:00.001-05:00

From the record label Team Bravo Records, Black I is one of the greatest rappers to come out of Toronto. With Hits like "Neva Stop" and "Where I'm From," he engineered the hip hop movement in the T-dot.

R.I.P

Reppin B-Town
Black I

(1972-2006)

Some thoughts from Maestro Fresh Wes:

IT WAS APPROX. A YEAR AGO TODAY (May 7, 07) WE HEARED ABOUT THE PASSING OF ONE OF TORONTO'S ILLEST BROTHERS. THE ONE KNOWN AS FRANKIE AKA EXHIBIT F AKA ACT ONE, AKA BLACK I....
HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. WE SHARED SOME GREAT, AND HISTORIC TIMES COMING UP TOGETHER IN THE LATE 80'S AND EARLY 90'S AND HE WAS ALWAYS THE TRUTH. HIS WHOLE ESSENCE RADIATED HIP HOP.

WE STILL MISS HIM AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.!!!!
MAY HE REST IN EVERLASTING PEACE

WES WILLIAMS AKA THE MAESTRO FRESH WES

Logikal Ethix chillin in Cali

2007-12-17T17:21:00.002-05:00

When he's not making tunes in Tdot, he's filming his latest video in Cali:

Kidd Blitz a.k.a Yung Dada Ba Carter

2007-12-17T16:38:00.001-05:00

Born in Ghana, this playa now reps Jane & Sheppard, Toronto ON, Canada.

Kidd Blitz is still relatively new to the scene, but he's rising quickly.
Having hooked up with Dollars Entertainment already, this kid could go the distance.

Check out his MySpace profile to hear the latest....and there's much more of that to come soon!

Rochester - The Toronto Rapper

2007-06-20T01:54:00.001-04:00

Check out the hit, "Pull Up" on his MySpace HERE.

A new wave of Toronto-based rap talent is positioning itself to make a dent on Canadian music charts. Rochester aka Juice has emerged as one of the leaders of this new school. Dont believe the hype? You dont need to. Prominent press outlets, commercial radio and TV stations have already stepped in to cement the hoopla, and the stage is set.

Born Jason Rochester, the emcee grew up in the Islington/Finch corridor of Toronto and demonstrated a unique artistic gift as a young teen that had dreams of becoming a comic book illustrator. Influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Dennis Brown and Jay-Z, Juice casually dabbled in the art of rhyme slinging in his old neighborhood, at one time joining rap clique The STC (Street Terrorist Clique).

Years later when Canada's first urban radio station (FLOW 93.5 fm) held their inaugural Soul Search talent contest (in 2002), he graduated with honours from occasional hood cipher contributor to centre-stage entertainer. A charismatic performance coupled with an ability to paint candid pictures through his rhymes crowned Rochester the Soul Searchs inaugural first prizewinner for his original composition Young Luv - an animated ode to early childhood romance, kicked Juices career into overdrive.

Peep some more tunes and vids at his homepage: http://www.rochesterakajuice.ca/

"I'm Ready" - Music Video

Page - Get to know the guy...

2007-06-20T01:45:00.001-04:00

He's new to many, but this man is no stranger to the music industry. He's learned what he needs to do in order to make things happen in Canada and his next moves will bare witness to that. Page is about to release his compilation/mixtape Two Sides To A Story which features his single “Ballin’ Is My Hobby”. Not holding back with any of his point of views, Page is a real straight up individual who tells it how he sees it. With his honest and powerful story-telling lyrics, Page is definitely an original when it comes to the delivery of his music. Signed to Smoke 'N’ Mirrors, Page also is self-sufficient and has created a company that has already made a bold statement in the industry. With a new mixtape, album, DVD, video games, and so much more, Page surely has a lot in store for the rest of 2007. If you want to know why Page says, “Ballin’ Is My Hobby” read below, and know that the story has just begun for this young artist.

Interview at HipHopCanada.com

The Staircase Diaries - Logikal Ethix & Unknown Mizery

2007-06-20T01:26:00.001-04:00

A short documentary-type video from these two Toronto hip hop soldiers. Check it out, Stolen From Africa & Mutescreamz.com

Logikal Ethix & Unknown Mizery - "Ain't No Good Life"

2007-06-20T01:16:00.001-04:00

Comin' from Toronto, from their 2004 street release, It Will Fall, comes Logikal Ethix and Unknown Mizery's video debut of their hit single, "Aint no Good Life." The real video starts about 1:24 into it, so be patient...or skip forward.

Track produced by Arkeoloogists.
Video Directed by Jake Kovnat of TWiNkViBE Productions.

"Things Change" - Logikal Ethix of Stolen From Africa

2007-06-20T01:04:00.001-04:00

Song by: Logikal Ethix of Stolen From Africa
Produced by: Tha Biz of Soul 4 Hire Productions
Directed by: Logikal Ethix of Mutescreamz Mentaltainment Inc/Stolen From Africa Movement

Logikal Ethix and Unknown Mizery are Toronto based artist who speak from their soul. Co-Founders of Mutescreamz Mentaltainment Inc., their mission is to help provided a voice for oppressed youth through the expressive context of art.

Although Logikal & Miz are solo artists, they have been recording and performing together as a duo for the past 5 years. In 2001 Unknown Mizery was featured on the Juno nominated album "Dim Sum" Produced by Dj Serious which received international recognition. In 2003, Logikal Ethix released a self-titled street album that received attention on Much Music's MuchNews for persistent CD selling in the downtown streets of Toronto. In 2004 the Duo recorded the street release album entitled "It Will Fall" which has sold over 10,000 copies Canada wide. In the spring of 2005 they released the Poor Man Militia album P.M.M and has developed a loyal fallowing in the U.K Australia and in various part of the U.S.

In 2004 The duo developed there own clothing brand "Stolen From Africa" which has been used as an alternative tool to promote cultural awareness alongside the music. The response has been so great that they have received the support of Toronto Mayor David Miller, and they are planning a high tour in the spring of 2006.

www.STOLENFROMAFRICA.com
www.LOGIKALETHIX.com
http://www.mutescreamz.com/

Growing Up in Toronto - Lost in The Struggle

2007-06-20T00:40:00.002-04:00

The Fifth Estate (CBC) wanted to know why young men in some neighbourhoods of Canadian cities are drawn to a culture of violence. A culture where drug sales are often a source of income, friendships are defended with weapons, and a deadly dispute can start with a disrespectful glance.

Rather than accessing this world through the police or social workers, producers wanted to document the lives of the young men in their own voices. To learn what options are available to a young person who grows up in a culture where loyalty is determined by whom you're willing to protect. And to understand how they get left behind by the systems of education, social services and justice that are supposed to protect them.

To get the access needed to tell this story, producers enlisted two young filmmakers. Paul Nguyen and Mark Simms grew up in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, an area that has waged a decades-long battle against a reputation for violence and hopelessness.

Chuckie and Burnz met through their common love of rap music. Simms and Nguyen introduced producers at the fifth estate to three young men who have all lived with violence, at times as the victim, at times the perpetrator. Phong Nguyen, aka Chuckie, Andrew Burnett, aka Burnz and Albi Aziz, aka Freshy, all grew up in Jane and Finch. One has lived by the gun from a young age. Another desperately wants to get out of the cycle of violence and retribution but doesn't know how. The other aspires to a criminal life despite the better options available to him.

The Fifth Estate, together with Simms and Nguyen as film crew, spent 10 months following Chuckie's, Burnz' and Freshy's lives, from their criminal exploits and encounters with the justice system to their relationships with family, friends, and each other.

The turns their lives took, the dilemmas they faced and the decisions they made formed the narrative of the story. The stories that unfold are of struggle: to succeed when poverty, lack of education and opportunity pull you down; to escape from the only life you've known; and to make positive choices in the face of anger and aimlessness.

YouTube User - thegoldenrich
Check out the Soundtrack to this Fifth Estate special HERE.

Comin' Straight Outta Toronto - PAGE

2007-06-19T23:18:00.001-04:00

This one is called "Ballin' Is My Hobby" by Toronto's up-and-coming rap star, Page. It's his premier video. Pretty decent, check it out:

Americans Don't Want You to Win

2007-05-19T20:53:00.001-04:00

Saukrates talked to CBC, and this is what they wrote:

Canadian rappers have learned that the last hurdle to breaking into hip hop’s major leagues, landing an American deal, is just one step: and a long leap shy of becoming a foreign priority. When it comes to the question of which artist to push next, America always finds a reason to back one of its own.

“You know what my boys in Brooklyn tell me? ‘Americans don’t want you to win,’” says Saukrates, the Toronto MC and producer who, along with long-time friend Kardinal Offishall, leads Can-hop’s latest crop of ace MCs. “And they don’t. A lot of the artists will suck up all the energy at their labels because they don’t want nobody to come and take their position, especially not a Canadian who can do it better than them. You gotta fight for your shine.”

And then there’s the other problem facing our homegrown rap heroes: Rick Mercer’s Talking to Americans is true. Too many U.S. labels assume this country is carpeted with ice rinks and igloos. Their urban artist-and-repertoire execs are known for signing hard-luck ghetto stories hand over fist – provided that the ghettos in question are located somewhere inside the United States.

Authenticity is the beating heart of hip-hop culture (even though most fans know that most MCs are fibbing), and Canadian artists typically find it close to impossible to export theirs to America. While the U.S. rap machine allows a middling rapper like the Game (Dre’s latest protégé, whose major-label debut just moved 587,000 U.S. copies in its first week of release) to tell and sell tall tales about thug life, it assumes that any Canuck talking tough must be lying – and is therefore useless.

Just another reason to be on the grind all the time!

Maestro Fresh-Wes Y'all

2007-05-16T22:57:00.001-04:00

Maestro is the stage name of Wesley Williams (born 1968 in Toronto, Ontario), a Canadian hip hop artist and actor. His pioneering status and outstanding achievements have lead to him being referred to as the "Godfather of Canadian hip hop." Originally known as Maestro Fresh Wes his moniker was shortened to Maestro in the late 1990s.

In 1989 he became the first Canadian rapper to have a Top 40 hit, "Let Your Backbone Slide". As of 2007, "Let Your Backbone Slide" remains the best-selling Canadian hip hop single of all time, and the only ceritfied gold single in Canadian hip hop history. 18 years after its release, Maestro's debut album, Symphony in Effect (1989), remains the top selling Canadian hip hop album of all time; at 190,000 units sold, it is 10,000 shy of double platinum. On Maestro's song/video "Nothing at All" (Black Tie Affair, 1991), he acknowledges this feat, rapping:

"My first album, symphony in effect went platinum/ in Canada that made me the first Black one/ to achieve that goal, I even got offered a movie role. Hunh, I turned it down, I didn't wanna be no star portrayin' a n---a that dwelled behind bars..."

After the success of his second album, The Black Tie Affair 1991, Maestro's career faltered as he attempted to break into the United States market. However, he returned to the Canadian charts in 1998, with the hit singles "Stick to Your Vision" and "416/905 (TO Party Anthem)".

In 2005, Maestro covered Lawrence Gowan's song "A Criminal Mind"; Gowan appears in the video and his vocals are sampled on the track. Gowan also performed the song with Maestro at the Canadian Urban Music Awards in 2006.

In 2006 Maestro again made Canadian hip hop history when he and Rochester AKA Juice joined The Dope Poet Society on stage in Cannes, France. Together, they become the first Canadian hip hop acts ever to showcase at Midem, the world's largest and most influential annual music industry conference.

source: Wikipedia

Toronto Rap Project

2007-05-04T12:57:00.001-04:00

This movie takes an inside look at the independent urban music scene in Toronto. The documentary is blended with elements of music video and journey's into diverse neighborhoods in Toronto during a year when guns, rap and crime were topics at the top of everybody's mind. While investigating the underground rap world, a critique of mainstream media also emerges.

With Toronto's surge in gun crime during 2005 some people have pointed the finger at rap music and the gansta culture it may inspire. Has the attention on gansta rap overshadowed the many positives of a complex hip hop culture? Does rap or media glamorization of violence play any part in influencing crime on the streets?

The Definition of Street Cred

2007-04-26T12:23:00.001-04:00

The definition of "street cred":

1. your "coolness" factor
2. imaginary "points" you get when you do something cool

1. Oh snap, I just punched that guy in the face--*plus 1 street cred*
2. Oh snap, you just got punched in the face--*minus 1 street cred*

Also, see Street Cred...the racing game.

How to Dress Like a Rapper

2007-04-26T11:42:00.000-04:00

So you want to be a rapper, but you don't look like one. Read this and people will soon see you as a hip-hop star....guaranteed son.

How to be a Thug - For Reals

2007-04-26T01:41:00.000-04:00

This post is part of one from http://www.i-mockery.com/...pure jokes.

1. Rip off the sleeves on your ordinary shirt. Take one of the sleeves and thuggishly fashion it over your muh'fuckin' dome. That's some ill shit.

2. Make some crazy gang sign with your extra hand. You should always have one hand on your ballsac, which means you always have one extra hand. Unless you're drizninkin' some 40's, which is acceptable.

3. The cutoff sleeves look makes you ghetto fab. For realz homey. Don't be afraid to show off those pythons.

4. Wear lots of jewelry. It can be your moms shit. All the real gangsta's have something dipped in platinum dangling from their necklace. You can use anything as long as it's dipped in platinum. Like an egg beater. Or a platinum baby Jesus fetus on an anchor.

5. Because you're probably too soft to get real tattoos, draw some on your arms. It's a dead giveaway if you don't have any tattoos.

6. Your boxers should be protruding from your pants. If your boxers are not in sight, you are a thug poser. Tighty-whitey's are acceptable.

7. Your pants should be sagging right above your big thug dick. About two inches from your pube line should work okay. If you have your pants pulled up you are going to get your ass kicked.

8. Grab your balls.

9. Wear a shiney watch. At least one watch. One is the minimum. It is acceptable to wear up to three expensive watches on one arm. You can also mix and match gold with silver. Real thugs from the ghetto only sport the finest wiznatches.

10. Pull up a pant leg. We call this "claiming," and shit. This tells everyone, "Hey bitches! I'm a thug!"

Now you should know what the dilly is. Go out and represent. Get off the hizzy my nizzy. True. True.

There are other accessorising options for the thug look. I recommend wrapping a piece of foil around a tooth (also known as a Toof) for that "Dirty South" thug look. And you can also color in some facial hair with a marker. It's never a bad idea to have a 40 ounce bottle of malt liquor, and sporting a clip-on cell phone is big pimpin', too.

And now in closing, I will offer you this rap just in case someone challenges your thuggish ruggish-ness. You have to pretend like you're making it up, because thugs don't do pre-made raps. They only do freestyle. Try and get one of your homeys to beat box so you don't sound stupid.

"What the fiznuck diznuck?
Pull my 9-milli and I free it like Willy!
Pop a cap in you ear,
And one in your fake crystal chandelier.
You wanna'-be thug bitch,
I'll spank you with a switch.
I'll pull it off a tree and then I'll just say
WHASSA HIZZY MA' NIZZY?
Bling. Bling."

Just so u know

2007-04-26T01:38:00.000-04:00

Hip hop music, also known as rap music, is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. It consists of two main components: rapping (MCing) and DJing (production and scratching). Along with hip hop dance (notably breakdancing) and urban inspired art, or notably graffiti, these compose the four elements of hip hop, a cultural movement that was initiated by inner-city youth, mostly African Americans and Latinos^[1]^[2] in New York City, in the early 1970s.

London, Ontario - Thug Central

2007-04-26T01:14:00.000-04:00

It's a hard knock life here. Anarchy, gang stabbings, coke-heads, you name it. It's in your backyard, it's in the schools, it's invading peoples lives here....ordinary people, with jobs and kids...when will the madness stop?

Get to know the spots before you come walkin' up in here. LONDON. Can you survive?

The REAL Toronto

2007-04-26T01:03:00.001-04:00

Watch this DVD. Not so fun out there now is it? Learn what you're up against...and run like hell when you see those dudes.

Pimpology 101

2007-04-26T00:18:00.000-04:00

For every pimp out there... start out with some nice camo outfit and you will be thugging it in no time. Gettin your walk on is one of the first steps to becoming a pimp too and the farther down your pants are to your ankles the more of a pimp you are. You all need to catch up man we only been doing this for a few years .

BIG UPS

http://grindhousegirls.blogspot.com

http://www.stevenashworld.com

CPRO

COACH BROWN

http://hockeyscraps.blogspot.com

2007-04-25T22:41:00.000-04:00