I’m lucky to live in one of the best cities in the world. However, the hip-hop scene in Toronto while not lacking in talent is still struggling in some ways. Granted we have dope artists like K-Os, K’naan, Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall and Drake making noise. But outside of those five on a international level, its a hard sell in this city. Drake’s phenomenal rise in the last year is an interesting example. He’s been making music in the city for a good number of years through his mixtapes. Maybe the stars were aligned, but he definitely had the perfect storm of factors in his favour. He had a hit record, crossover appeal, good timing, and a co-sign by arguably the biggest star in hip-hop; Lil Wayne. Affiliating himself with Lil Wayne definitely solidified his position as an artist to watch for. Instances of that kind are the exception and not the rule in Toronto. Even Kardinal has seen his biggest impact aligning himself with Akon and his Konvict Music imprint. Not to say that Kardinal wasn’t making good music, but did he really break the US market until he dropped “Dangerous”?

The stigma of not being an American city makes it worse because we have almost have to have that superstar affiliation or take the alternative route to be taken seriously; see; K-Os and K’naan. Every year the major labels on average sign something like three to four new acts in Toronto. Of those three to four they’re indie rock acts. So as a hip-hop artist it’s a tougher sell up North. We have one urban radio station that’s been around since 2001. So it still feels like breaking urban music into new market. Ironically, in a city of six million or more and culturally diverse, you’d think it wouldn’t be as challenging. Bottom line, the national support isn’t available where a Canadian artist can break the US market that easily. While urban radio as whole has its own issues, it still makes a difference in terms of underground radio programs for an audience that may not be hip to your music. If it wasn’t for the blogs, would you really hear about D-Sisive, Muneshine, DL Incognito or DJ Grouch?

The support for local talent is also an uphill battle. In Toronto it just feels like we’re waiting for acceptance from the US when it comes to our own artists before we feel compelled enough to support it locally. Basically, if your own city can’t get behind your music how exactly does one convince a label to potentially get behind it? So many of artists go the independent route and create the music they want and still make a decent living. Touring and opening shows for major artists with hopes of getting a look. I just don’t think there is enough done to develop and grow talent in the city. Fortunately, the internet has evened the playing field so one can get their music heard. I also think the Drake’s success can be a good thing if it brings more attention to my city in terms of upcoming talent. Canadian producers are also beginning to get more shine up here whether its Rich Kidd, Boi 1da, Tone Mason, Agile and obviously Marco Polo who’s been doing for a while now.

There’s a great underground scene here in the city, but we still have a ways to go in terms of exposure on a national scale. While I’m happy for Drake’s success, the city needs to get behind local talent while its bubblin’ not when Hot97 decides to give it their stamp of approval.