A Noisey Guide to Saskatchewan's Hip-Hop Scene

DGS Samurai Champs and the Queen City Stoop Kids. Photo courtesy of AThirdTime Photography

Saskatchewan isn’t typically the place people think of as a hotspot for Canadian hip-hop. In fact, when one thinks of Saskatchewan music, the first thought that comes to the mind is the notorious Craven County Jamboree. With a population of just over a million people and an enduring, but misguided image of a place where nothing ever happens or changes, Saskatchewan is seen as something of a cultural backwater by the rest of Canada. If people do know anything about Saskatchewan rap, it’s probably because of the now infamous “My Hoverboard” video by Saskatoon’s J Staxx. Rest assured, there’s a lot more to the province’s rap scene then J Staxx’s viral “hit.” Saskatchewan has always embraced its role as the underdog and behind the stereotypes and YouTube sensations is a small, but dynamic hip hop scene rife with homegrown talent. Saskatchewan’s rap community is centered in the province’s two largest cities; Saskatoon and Regina. The urban landscapes of both cities have had a profound effect on the artists they produce. Saskatoon and Regina consistently maintain some of the highest crime rates in all of Canada, while Regina’s North-Central was previously named the ‘worst neighborhood in Canada.’ This is the reality that many Saskatchewan rappers grew up in.

“Knowing Saskatchewan like I do, we usually top the country in crime and murder rates, so it's definitely something that gives us a different outlook than being from some other nice, little, cute place,” said rapper Joey Stylez, “Hardships give one character and I know firsthand. I been through enough storms to give culture to some folks who lack identity.” But this is far from the only influence fueling Saskatchewan rappers. The province’s First Nations history, which dates back to well before Saskatoon and Regina were even thoughts and the arrival of Europeans in Western Canada, has been an instrumental force in shaping Saskatchewan rap. From the lasting legacy of residential schools to the rampant, yet largely ignored mental health issues on northern reserves and inequality in urban centers, Saskatchewan’s First Nations population has never had it easy. But in the face of this painful past and present, Saskatchewan indigenous population as whole, including its hip hop artists, remains proud and hopeful. Artists such as Stylez, Drezus and Eekwol have proudly displayed their aboriginal identities through their music.

Though Saskatchewan’s hip hop community is small, it is tight knit. Artists embrace each other’s individualism and feed off one another’s creativity. The result of this creative incubator is a sound that is both diverse and profoundly influenced by the province itself. While a number of Saskatchewan artists have left to seek out opportunities elsewhere, the community continues to grow inside the prairie province at an astounding rate. “Inclusivity is hard to find in rap, but Regina's new scene would surprise the most critical hip hop hipsters out east, I believe,” said Kav the Bruce of the Queen City Stoop Kids, “We created it together with others who were clearly waiting for something to just happen.”

Originally from Saskatoon, but now living in Vancouver, Dakk’One got his start in the Bridge City’s hip-hop scene. Before leaving Saskatoon in 2013, Dakk was a fixture on the 306 Battlegrounds circuit where even as a teenager, he could be seen going

toe to toe with older opponents

. On his verses, Dakk fires off with a high-paced, staccato cadence. While his earlier music focused on the harsh realities of growing up on Saskatoon’s mean west side, his most recent track, “Big Things”, hints at a more uplifting sound on his forthcoming EP produced by multi-time Juno award winner and Swollen Members’ member Rob the Viking.

Also from Saskatoon, Dayda Banks got his start in hip hop in a friend’s basement as a 16 year old, but didn’t start performing as Dayda until 2012. Since then, Dayda has dropped two albums; 2013’s

Roy Meets World

and 2014’s

The Lucid Dreamer

. Working closely with his DJ Akadelik and local producer Dilly Bat, Dayda brings a laid-back flow over floaty, dreamscape beats. Dayda is also a regular performer in Saskatoon’s live venues, putting on energetic shows for enthusiastic crowds of locals.

No discussion of Saskatoon hip hop would be complete without mentioning Kay the Aquanaut. A veteran of nine albums and a frequent collaborator with much of Saskatoon’s hip hop community, Kay has been a true pathfinder for the city’s scene. Kay is best known for his intricate word play and his abstract, but technical style.

Another Saskatoon rapper who left the province to seek out opportunities outside of the province, Joey Stylez has become a true journeyman in the Canadian rap scene. Stylez started rapping in 1999 and before settling in Toronto, journeyed through places such as Beverly Hills, Atlanta and Detroit while refining his style. In that time, Stylez has worked with a wide variety of artists including

Bun B

,

Dragonette

Ty Dolla Sign

and

A Tribe Called Red

. Like many Saskatchewan artists, Stylez is proud of his cultural identity and his music is heavily influenced by his indigenous heritage.

Before leaving Saskatchewan to grow his Team RezOfficial group, Drezus was one of the pioneering rappers in Saskatoon alongside Joey Stylez. While he left Saskatoon over a decade ago, Drezus credits his upbringing on Saskatoon’s notoriously rough west side as one of the foundations of his music. Drezus proudly infuses his aboriginal identity into his verses, which are backed by booming, speaker-rattling beats. On “the Sequel” off 2014’s

Indian Summer

, Drezus raps “We lost our identity, we still trying to recuperate. We used to hunt for our food, now we ain’t shootin’ straight. Confused by the new world order, we don’t know who to hate.” For his upcoming album, Drezus is working with producers such as Freddie Gibbs Superville, A Tribe Called Red’s Toolman and

Lordquest

.

A true veteran in Canadian hip hop, Eekwol also holds claim to being the first solo, female, aboriginal, hip hop artist in the nation. Born on the Muskoday First Nation in north-central Saskatchewan, Eekwol has been carving out a niche in the Canadian music scene since 1998. Eekwol’s songs focus on the issues facing Canada’s indigenous populations today, including poverty, inequality, addiction and negative stereotypes. However, Eekwol’s music also carries a positive message, encouraging Canada’s indigenous peoples to embrace their unique identities and to build strong communities together in order to overcome the systematic hardships they face.

Pimpton is probably Saskatchewan’s best known rapper outside the province. While many Saskatchewan rappers have sought out bigger centers with larger rap scenes to advance their careers, Pimpton has made it clear that he wants to stay at home in Regina and build Saskatchewan rap from the inside with the backing of his CJE crew. Pimpton raps with a trademark bouncy style over booming, high energy beats that mesh perfectly with his unorthodox cadence. His most recent album,

KCMKV 2

, featured tracks with Andre Nickatina, Joey Stylez, 40 Cal and Future.

The Queen City Stoop Kids, consisting of Kav the Bruce, Stupid Clay, Kid Kris, James Worthy and Voodoo Doll Joey, are hard to pin to one particular style, but are perhaps the most out-there hip hop act in Saskatchewan. Chopped and screwed samples, vocal delays and tone drops are all regular features on the Stoopkids’ tracks (no two of which are exactly alike). While each member bring unique content to their verses, the Stoop Kids love to rap about mind altering, chemical-fueled parties over tripped out, face-melting beats from their producer Deadlighters. On “Rachet,” off the group’s newest release,

Bag Fries

, Kav typifies this theme: “Chilling on the ave with the drastic acid, pop a couple of pills and I’m fuckin’ fantastic. Two tabs and a couple samples of grasses.”

DGS Samurai Champs are a Regina-based trio consisting of Jeah, Merv xx Gotti and Nono Ryan. With Jeah and Nono bringing their own individual styles of rapping to the table, Merv provides dark, brooding backing vocals and hooks. The result is a crawling, dread-filled sound that mixes elements of R&B and hip hop. The group are close friends with the Queen City Stoopkids

who are featured are their new album

and have opened for both Pimpton and Madchild.

Dilly Bat is a producer, videographer and occasional rapper out of Saskatoon. Dilly Bat is also the most prolific rap video director in Saskatchewan. Dilly Bat has produced videos for a who’s-who of Saskatchewan rappers and is the man behind J Staxx’s “My Hoverboard” video.

Active since 1999, Factor is a Saskatoon-based producer who has slowly made a name for himself both in Canada and internationally in the underground hip hop scene. Factor has worked with artists such as

Shad

,

Moka Only

,

AWOL One

,

Evil Ebenezer

and

Kay the Aquanuat

.

Filth the Enabler is a Saskatoon-based rapper known for his raw, grimy vocal style. This style has led him to colorable with the Demigodz’ Apathy.

Scott Davidson is a writer based in Saskatoon. Follow him on Twitter.