WORDBURGLAR DROPS THIRD STUDIO ALBUM

Wordburglar, the Halifax-bred, Toronto-based rapper is back with his third studio release, 3RDBUGLAR. Off the top, he lets you know he has a sense of humour with a Pre-Show Routine which ends with a voice saying, “never heard of ya.” But right after this, you’re hit with “Croque Monsieur” and “So Much Time,” tracks with dope beats and humorous rhymes. It’s kind of reminiscent of Emimen’s The Slim Shady album with its comical prose. On “Fred Broca” you would think for a minute this was the prelude to Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was the Case” with its Hitchcock-esque beat and hard core rhyme, it’s an intense tune but it works really well. With guest appearances from Timbuktu on “Sneaky Neighbours” and Chokeules, Richard Benjamin, MC Homeless, Riddlore? & Timbuktu on “Steady and Stable (Strange Roads),” 3RDBURGLAR wouldn’t be a hip-hop album if it didn’t have a collabo or two. The testosterone is in full effect mode on this album, from the comic book theme of “Drawings with Words,” and “Foofaraw” but on the latter you’ll get taken back by the Busta Rhymes dungeon dragon sample from the hip-hop classic, “What’s the Scenario.” On the album’s end track, “Yobosayo (Moonbase),” Wordburglar takes you out with more of the same – solid hip-hop. This album is definitely a keeper. [Download or buy the album]

THE CITY STREETS RELEASE TWO NEW SINGLES

The boys from The City Streets have been keeping busy. The trio sensation that consists of Rick Reid (songwriter, vocals, & guitar), Matt Leddy (bass & backup vocals), and Mark Chmilar (drums & art/graphic design) have released two singles from two separate upcoming albums. Even though the gang hails from Edmonton, Alberta, they relocated elsewhere to record their latest releases. The first single, “How I Pray (ft. Colin Stetson)” is off of their upcoming album, Winter Lightning. The song was record at Hotel2Tango studios in Montreal, with the helping hand of Howard Bilerman (notable for his work with Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Wolf Parade). “How I Pray” is a fun song with a bit of a funkier vibe, especially when you compare it to the other single, “Nothing Can Be Planned.” The vocals are clear on this track with a punk resonance that’s more optimistic. Monogamist ladies and gents should be weary because according to this tune you should “never tell your lover that you've been with another.” But don't worry because they repent when they're kissing. “Nothing Can Be Planned” off of their other upcoming self-recorded album Sawdust & Rum (yum) sounds like it was recorded in a garage but it was in fact recorded in a small cabin on the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia (my bad). It's a raw recording, which is preferable than a squeaky clean one. Rock should be raw not polished, and the strings and drums should rock the vocals. You’ll also appreciate the crisp clear tambourine shake. [Download or buy the album]

"FOR THE LOVE OF YOU"

In 2012, we lost Whitney Elizabeth Houston at the age of 48. While there is no doubt that she left us too soon, we at least have her music to remember her by and an undeniable legacy to recall, every once and a while. In this instance, we’re turning the spotlight on one of Whitney’s lesser known tracks, “For the Love of You.” Originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1975, Houston’s version appears on her sophomore album, Whitney, released in 1987.   [Listen]

WINSTON WARRIOR

Winston Warrior has come a long way since his time in the 1990’s boy band, Lo’Profile, and with the release of his album 'Lifeology 101’ Winston is setting out his stall as a serious artist, with a voice full of soul. He describes his music as “a fusion of smooth hip hop beats and harmonic R&B.” Hear more about Warrior in Imogen Reed's feature story. [Read]

ERIC SOLOMON

Eric Solomon is a man of many talents; he sings, he's a multi-instrumentalist and he's a songwriter. This past November Solomon released his highly anticipated debut full-length album, 'Time Bomb.' Fans have been drawn in by his catchy singles—like "Addicted"—and his various remixes. Vee Manzerolle sat down with Solomon for a one-on-one interview. [Read]

SOMEWHERE ELSE

Los Angeles hip hop collective, and 2008 world battle of the bands winner SomeWhere Else has officially released their first music video and new single,"Bunkers", off their up-coming project, The SWEM (The SomeWhere Else Manifesto) found some time in their increasingly busy schedules to talk to SoulMatters about their lives and music. [Read]

TEETH & TONGUE

Singer/songwriter Jess Cornelius began playing music in full-out rock bands but decided to venture solo. She eventually got her hands on some old drum machines, a keyboard and an electric guitar—equipment that would ignite the beginning of Teeth & Tongue. Vee Manzerolle managed to grab an interview with Cornelius in between her appearance at SXSW. [Read]

BAKARDI SLANG (2001)

While 2001 is remembered for many things, i.e., 9/11, on a brighter side, it is also the year that Toronto-rapper Kardinal Offishall dropped what many consider to be a straight up T-Dot anthem, “Bakardi Slang” from the album Quest for Fire. With lyrics like “We don't say 'you know what I'm sayin'/T dot says 'ya dun know'/We don't say 'hey that's the breaks'/we say 'yo, a so it go” Kardi put Toronto on the hip-hop map. [Read]