ARTISTS
emcee / producer
The Toronto Rap Project met up with Kardi just before his Toronto concert in support of his new album "Fire and Glory." While Kardinal does admit that rap music may possibly playing a minor role in influencing some crime in the streets, he muses, "Hip Hop is not credited with the many positive aspects it brings. A lot of kids who might be involved with guns and gangs are saved through hip hop."
journalist / politician
Peter was a keynote speaker at an anti-gun rally in Toronto. Being a veteran television journalist, the documentary sought out his opinion on why the media tends to focus on the negative and violent stories. When asked how much influence rap music had in gun crime, Kent remarked "Some hip hop songs have probably contributed to the attitude of guys who have a gun in their pocket and in a crunch situation - make the wrong decision and use it."
actor / emcee
Why does it seem the major labels are only interested in promoting gansta rap? For that answer, The Toronto Rap Project turned to a man who has a long history in the rap game. Did Maestro ever feel pressure to bring a gansta image to his music? Wes isn't surprised to see so much emphasis on violence in today's media, "After all, look who are neighbors are to the south. America breeds violence." Speaking of America's cultural influence on Canadians, Maestro quips, " I didn't watch the Beachcombers or King of Kensington, I watched Good Times and The Jeffersons."
emcee
Blacus Ninjah takes The Toronto Rap Project for a tour through the Jane-Finch neighborhood of Toronto. Blacus feels the mainstream media only plays attention to the negative aspects of his hood'. "Jane-Finch is a great place to grow-up. It's one big melting pot of diverse cultures and races."
lawyer / author
A celebrated lawyer of controversial cases - Alan is never afraid to speak his mind on social issues. On 50 Cent, Alan can see similarities with a case he was involved with in the early 90's. When a London, Ontario store merchant was brought up on obscenity charges for selling a 2-Live-Crew album - Alan defended the retailer. When discussing the current rap-violence debate, Alan muses, "in inner cities devoid of economic opportunity there is an undercurrent of violence brewing - and maybe rap just reflects that violence. But that should tell the people in power to fix the inner cities. Don't start going after the music - listen to it."
emcee
Tatix reps the Scarborough hood' of Cataraqui Park. An aspiring rapper, Tatix can't understand the "fuckery raps hip hop in Toronto is gettin' today." Tatix admits he has seen his share of people in his neighborhood with guns. But the people who get shot are the ones "acting stupid and using drugs. If your like a punk kid that goes around all hard, your gonna get hurt."
emcee
Professor D doesn't forget that Hip Hop was originally a revolutionary and protest music. D is sad to see how much of today's rap music has become obsessed with "gansta shit." The Dope Poets society featuring Professor D and DJ Spinister represent an under reported genre of hip hop - the socially conscious rapper. D feels "Hip Hop is negatively targeted because it's the most popular culture out there today."
