In 1998, Vancouver’s own The Rascalz won ‘Best Rap Recording’ for their classic album ‘Cash Crop’. They declined to accept the award because the category was kept off television despite the fact that Rap/Hip-Hop had become one of the largest and most successful genres in the world. Succumbing to media scrutiny and allegations of racism, the category was added to the televised portion of the show the following year.
The Juno Awards just announced their ‘2013 Juno Album’ that is being released via iTunes on March 19th. The closest thing to a representation from the urban scene was Justin Beiber. Where were Classified, Madchild, The Weeknd or Drake? Countless Canadian Hip-Hop artists charted on iTunes over the course of 2012, with little to no recognition from traditional media and award shows*.
The Stylus Awards (www.stylusgroup.ca) have grown in recent years to become the urban awards show in Canada, while companies like KOTD (www.kingofthedot.com) and Stompdown (www.stompdown.com) have leveraged youtube and social media to create some of the most popular and respected urban movements in the world.
HHV (www.hiphopvancouver.com) has compiled an unofficial Juno mixtape! Please take the time to listen and check out more material from each of these Canadian Artists that received nominations in the Urban Categories.
Please Like, Share or Retweet this article to let the Junos know you want to hear an Urban Artist on their compilation next year!
*Shout out to Much Music for featuring Mad Child and Matt Brevner’s opus ‘Jitters’ in their Top Ten Videos of 2012.
- Drake – HYFR
- Check it out on YouTube
- MadChild – Dope Sick
- Check out “Devil’s Reject” and Grab a Copy
- Rich Kidd / SonReal – The Closers
- Check out “Best Believe” and Grab a Copy
- Elaine Lil Bit Shepherd – Move Ya
- Listen and get a copy here.
- Classified – Inner Ninja feat. David Myles
- Listen and get a copy here.
- JD Era – No Handouts
- Listen and get a copy here.
- Nelly Furtado – The Spirit Indestructible
- Hear it here.
- Maestro Fresh Wes – Black Tuxedo
- Cop it.
- Jully Black – Fugitive
- Check the single here.
- The Weeknd – Trilogy
- Get it here.
- Ammoye – Radio
- Check it out.
- Exco Levi – Storms of Life
- Get the video here.
- Makeshift Innocence – Yours to Keep
- Check it out.
- Melanie Durrant – Made for Love
- Check it out