Our Northern brethren in Canada have seen a resurgence lately thanks to a number of high profile Canadian musical artists that have broke through nationally and internationally. It was hard to pick just three artists to highlight in this feature but I think I made the right choice, and tried to pick artists from different background and genres. Without further ado, the top three new Canadian musical artists:
Cadence Weapon
The stage name of Rollie Pemberton, Cadence Weapon is a journalist turned rapper who has put out two acclaimed records of neo-new-wave hip-hop with a strong emphasis on lyrical content and wordplay. Pemberton is also the poet laureate of Edmonton, his hometown, and has been touring the area serving as an ambassador of the literary arts. Pemberton is one of Canadians most promising artists both on and off the stage.
Metric
This Toronto based band led by singer Emily Haines has seen huge success in the past few years, breaking through into the mainstream with their song Monster Hospital reaching television and airwaves in 2005. In 2009 they released a much more polished studio record entitled Fantasies which was their highest charting record to date. Haines is also an accomplished solo artist recording Knives Dont Have Your Back in 2006. They are one of the most exciting rock bands in Canada and hopefully will be putting out music for a long time to come.
Buck 65
I cant tell you how much I appreciate this guy. Buck 65 aka Richard Terfry put in work in his early years as a popular Canadian DJ and eventual MC and turntablist but he was never anything but odd. A white rapper from Canada might sound like a joke, but Buck 65 paved a unique path for himself with his odd rhymes, great storytelling abilities, and love for artists and topics that are rarely covered in hip-hop, from Allen Ginsberg to Charles Bukowski and French literature. Buck 65 paints his stories like artists pain on easels. A great mind and a blessing, Buck 65 recently took a full-time position as radio host for a weekday program on CBC Radio 3. That hasnt slowed down his musical output, though.
About the Author:
Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.
