The best part of being in a growing industry in Toronto is to be able to watch the flourish of the city’s hip-hop community as it takes greater steps in the right direction each year. After a productive 2013 filled with new talent, amazing projects, unbelievable events and unforgettable concerts, it is safe to say, our city is winning. Urbanology Magazine’s Associate Editor, Samantha O’Connor, compiled a list of her top 10 moments in Toronto hip-hop for 2013:
10. Wu-Tang Clan hits up Toronto on the group’s reunion tour. With all the living members, except RZA and Masta Killa, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan shut down Toronto’s Kool Haus with an unforgettable show this past November. RIP ODB.
9. Three-hundred pound plus Action Bronson crowd surfs at The Hoxton during Canadian Music Week. After waiting until after 1 a.m. for him to even hit the stage, fans forgot all about Bronson’s tardiness by throwing bags of weed into the over-capacity venue and jumped into the crowd for the first time in his career.
8. J Cole’s Dollar and A Dream tour stop shuts down Toronto. After the rapper announced his practically free show and the whereabouts of the last minute venue, every J Cole fan in Toronto rushed to get in line to see the Born Sinner, before police tried to shut down the mob of fans on arguably the hottest day of the year.
7. Classified is the first ever-Canadian hip-hop artist to sell out the Opera House two nights in a row.
6. Drake gets his Grammy. I guess it is safe to say Drizzy hit the pinnacles he planned to reach after he received his Grammy for Best Rap Album for Take Care this year.
5. Pat Stay takes the King Of The Dot title at World Domination 4. After the title debacle between Dizaster and Arcane at Blackout 3, the title was handed to the fan favourite when he took the chain from Arcane at the legendary two-day battle event this past summer.
4. Toronto hosts the Redbull Thre3style world championship. Every legendary DJ, young and old, from around the world was in the city for an unforgettable week of music, as Japan’s DJ Shintaro became the 2013 world champion.
3. City Council, Tourism Toronto and Music Canada launches the 44°79° campaign to make Toronto the music capital of the world. The whole city is anticipating what is to come from this campaign that can impact everyone involved in this industry.
2. The Godfather of Canadian hip-hop, Maestro Fresh Wes, celebrates 25 years in the game. From “Let Your Backbone Slide” to his recently released Orchestrated Noise it is undeniable what Maestro has done for the Canadian hip-hop community. Happy 25th OG!
1. Now 17-year-old Toronto producer, Wondagurl gets a Grammy nod for her placement on Jay Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail. Her name says it all.
Words By. Samantha O’Connor
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