its prolly a couple years old but still a good read.
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Homebass - Toronto
Toronto, where they're as mad about hockey as we are about footy, heavy snow in the winter, blazin' heat in the summer and more Chinese restaurants than Hong Kong. Knowledge takes a look at what Toronto jungle has to offer....
From a social perspective, the liberal attitude in Toronto is reminiscent of Amsterdam, but with a distinctly North American flavour. Sex and cannabis culture are tolerated by the community and regulated by the authorities (last summer cannabis was temporarily decriminalised). The modern city has diverse multiculturalism, and the vibrant nightlife has much to offer - including a huge drum & bass scene with enough to satisfy the appetites of any hardcore junglist!
The roots of rave culture can be traced back to the early 90s when house, hardcore and techno dominated the scene. Pioneers such as Malik X and Dr No played "hybrid" sets educating the masses on their community radio program, The Sound of London. Alongside Ruff Neck, Medicine Muffin and Jungle PhD, they were instrumental in importing the devastating sounds dominating the UK underground movement.
Marcus Visionary, "godfather" of Toronto Jungle, emerged onto the rave scene highly influenced by electronic music across the Atlantic. With his roots in hip-hop/reggae and having witnessed the birth of house, Marcus dreamt of bringing jungle to the masses. Delirium promotions, established in 1992, was his earliest contribution to the junglist movement and his Exodus party was the first rave to bring jungle mainstage in Toronto. His radio station Prophecy, run alongside DJ Prime, was the voice of the scene, keeping ravers updated on cutting-edge tunes and regular events.
The birth of Syrous promotions in 1994 was the fundamental element that caused an underground explosion of d&b on the rave circuit. The infamous Syrous parties were the first to bring over British talent like Nicky Blackmarket, Darren Jay and Stevie Hyper D with Mystical Influence and Sniper representing Toronto.
"The first couple of parties were just a couple of hundred people," recalls Marcus. "From '92 to '94 a large party was 1000 people and by '95 it just became insane... Syrous and Lifeforce were getting 13,000 regularly at the CNE events in '97-'99."
It was the initiative of Rob Lisi to bring over Kenny Ken that changed everything. DJ Lush from Catchin' Wreck remembers his debut set: "When Kenny played 'Helicopter' and 'Music Box' his performance was a very important turning point. From that day forward everything was jungle." New companies began developing to the point where every week someone new was playing.
MC Navigator, a regular on the Toronto circuit for the past seven years, was amazed at the parties back in the late 90s: "They were so off the hook... I can remember the second time I came with Randall and Fats, with Das EFX on the hip hop stage line up, there must have been 20,000 people, it was electric!"
The "honeymoon" period of the Toronto rave scene failed to achieve higher heights when a rise in drug related fatalities, coupled with 9/11 and the security crisis across North America, dampened spirits and gave rise to a clampdown on the large scale parties. Changes in government policies and legislation crippled promotion companies as they could no longer make profit as before. Many parallels to the demise of the illegal warehouse parties in Britain mirror the change in Canada, from the underground raves run by the DJs and promoters to licensed club venues.
Despite the knock-backs the industry faced with media hysteria over the drug culture associated with illegal warehouse parties, those involved in the scene, such as Visionary, did not give into the system and continued to move Toronto jungle forward.
A new era in the rave scene spawned its own generation of young producers, MCs and DJs as well as promoters. Producers such as Stranjah, Da Gremlins, John Rolodex and Diligence have developed their own style in a bid to represent TO Jungle worldwide. Although the foundations of the music lie in the UK, the new generation of producers strive to create a new genre of d&b that is undeniably their own. Despite there being a huge scene in Toronto, it is a general sentiment amongst artists that it is hard to make it globally, unless signed up by a UK label. "The scene in Toronto is in a transitional period right now," Navigator insists. "Hard work, collaborations and positive energy will make things grow positively."
Carl Collins, who runs Blackmarket Records, Queen Street, explains that his boss Rene Gelston (who sold the original shop to Nicky Blackmarket), chose Toronto to set up a new franchise two years ago because of its, "unique dance infrastructure, which is close to the UK." However, Collins feels that like any artist within the international industry, they need to come up with new tunes and releases in order to get their foot in the door as well as further coverage. "Toronto does not have Pirate radio stations that enable artists in the UK to go from 18th floor council estate to mainstream radio. What is needed is our equivalent of 1Xtra, to represent dance culture and influence a wider audience."
Although Toronto is still in its progressive stages, it offers one of the best rave scenes in the world. Jungle raves to mid-week bars, all offer quality with friendly attitudes. It is there to be explored amongst many other beautiful attractions in the city....
WORDS Natasha Lorraine Victor
Acme recording pressing: The only vinyl pressing company in Toronto, since 1994 reputation has emerged as a top quality product. www.acmevinyl.com
Bandit: Notorious MC on the scene, Bandit seems shy on first appearances. It's when he lets loose and spits lyrics on the mic, that the true rudeboy emerges.
Bomb Management: Run by Janet Sargent, agent to all the top DJs and MCs in the downtown region.
Blackmarket Records: The independent sister store of Blackmarket Records, London, was established by the original owner Rene Gelston on Queen Street West two years ago.
Caddy Cad: Born in Sheffield, but raised the Canadian way... MC Caddy knows how to pump up any party.
DJ Capital J: Taken over the US by storm and tends to smash it up in Toronto. Possesses an electric vibe towards the ravers, hyping up the crowd to the max.
Catchin' Wreck: Partners in Crime, Emcee Natural and DJ Lush are the perfect duo at any party.
Carl Collins: Born and bred in London and school mate of Micky Finn, this whizz on the d&b scene runs tings at Blackmarket Records.
www.club246.com: Check out Toronto's Talent by listening online. Just remember that London time is five hours ahead...
Delirious D: The "longest standing" Toronto MC and still going strong.... founder of Bottom Line Kru, representing the sounds from East T.O.
Diligence: Creative producer and cofounder of Hustlin' Beats Recordings.
D-WA: This DJ plays a "sick" set every time with his obsession with Amen breaks and bassline rhythms.
Everfresh: This lad has played at every significant d&b hotspot on the North American continent and holds sheer dedication to his work.
Empire Productions: Launched in 1998 and est. by Ryan Ruckus and Anthony "Tones" Depante, Empire has become one of Toronto's leading promotion companies.
Easy Rush: Originally a hardcore DJ from back in the day, now part of the d&b circuit and hosts Jungle Airwaves.
Exodus: "Movement of Jah people". The first rave in Toronto where jungle became mainstage, created by founding father, Marcus Visionary.
Freaky Flow: Freaky Flow was clever enough to adapt his knowledge of hip-hop scratching and cutting a new genre of jungle. Making the transition from DJ to producer, his ideas are ready to explode on vinyl... watch this space.
Friendlyman: Quite easily one of Toronto's best MCs with his ragga-style lyrics and sexiest dreadlocks ever!
Foundation: Theory & Empire promotions created an all ages rave, which recently hosted Zinc and Navigator at System Soundbar.
The Guvernment: Arguably the best rave venue in Toronto hosting Theory events every month. Recently hosted Skibadee who worked the crowd into frenzy!
Da Gremlins: Recently signed up to Metalheadz for their tenth year anniversary mixed artist EPs, the future looks bright for this intelligent fella...
Hustlin' Beats Recordings: First Canadian/UK D&B label, co-owned by Ruckus, Diligence and MC Fearless.
Illfingas: Self-proclaimed "badboy" of the TO scene. Protégé of Ruckus, who brought this DJ from basement to rave venue.
John Rolodex: Despite growing up in Edmonton, where d&b is virtually unheard of, Rolodex, (taking the name from the rolling beats in his head) has recently signed tracks with Metalheadz and Tech Itch.
JD: This MC is a lyrical master and highly respected by many DJs on the scene for keeping the crowd entertained all night long...
Koolhaus: Concert venue for large international artists. Home of Theory with phenomenal lighting and heavy sound-systems. Hosts the likes of Adam F, Ed Rush & Optical and Roni Size.
DJ Lush: Representing Catchin' Wreck, Lush is definitely one of Toronto's finest DJs.
Lucid: Vocalist / MC working in conjunction with Version Recordings and Stranjah.
Marcus Visionary: Marcus is much respected for his contribution to the Toronto scene from '92 to present. Still going strong with Visionary Recordings, Theory Promotions and Prophecy radio station, he is a don for keeping d&b culture alive.
Mystical Influence: A prominent member of the scene, this DJ is cofounder of label Vinyl Syndicate and threw infamous Syrous raves which introduced ravers to sounds of the underground.
Medicine Muffin: Pioneer in carrying the music across the Atlantic and introducing jungle to the Canadian massive.
Milano's (Liquid Funk): The "Yuppie" style lounge/bar, unique in its style with awesome pool tables and relaxed atmosphere, running for five years under the management of Slip n' Slide. It recently came to an abrupt end and will be missed by many loyal supporters.
MC L Natural: MC / producer for Catchin' Wreck and vocalist under the name of SoulProvidaz. Much respected on an international level and set to move to higher heights with releases on TOV, Hustlin' Beats and Renegade later this year.
Outlook: A member of the circle of producers for Version Recordings alongside Stranjah and Da Gremlins.
Prophecy: Influential community radio station, running for eight years by Visionary alongside DJ Prime.
Platinum Vibes: Platinum brought over Nicky Blackmarket earlier in March, which was a great success. Run by DJ Feels, D-Syfa, Case, Dosah and badboy MC Rivah.
Rinse Magazine: The only d&b magazine to cover North America and written by the creators of the very popular www.torontojungle.com.
DJ Ryan Ruckus: As well has being a very talented DJ, Ruckus has become an influential figurehead, pushing local talent towards mainstream. Currently touring Europe, running Empire productions and Hustlin' Beats, he is a significant member on the scene.
DJ Royal Rumbleton: A DJ on the scene since 1991, he is now turning to production. Host on Jungle Airwaves for four years and works at Da Music Library with Ruckus.
Release Records: Been running for two years by Piet and Steve who offer a top selection of vinyl to local DJs.
Rob Lisi: The man who made history by bringing over Kenny Ken in 1994 through Syrous Promotions, the turning point in Toronto's rave scene from old skool to jungle.
Saigon: Heavyweight DJ making his mark on the Toronto scene.
Scarborough: Toronto's version of Hackney perhaps... for if Jungle evolved from the streets, Scarborough is a key location.
Stranjah: Owner of record label Version Recordings, innovative producer, writer for Drum and Bass Arena and represents Toronto's creativity through his unique style.
Sex and The City: A night for the ladies... pure sexy vocal d&b in an intimate club/lounge @ the Hooch, run by Piet from Release Records.
Slip 'n' Slide: Working hard on new projects for 2004, Slip n' Slide are no strangers on the d&b circuit.
Sniper: Another DJ that helped create the rave scene in Toronto, cofounder of Vinyl Syndicate and Mystical's brother...
Systems Soundbar: Home of Loose every Wednesday that brings together the d&b community. Week in, week out, there are the same dedicated individuals that get down and dirty to the local talent. With a chilled out atmosphere, cheap drinks and a hip-hop room for alternative, a wicked night is guaranteed at Systems.
Trajady: Certainly the host with the most, the lively heartthrob MC yells out "Oh shit" when a tune's about to drop... works every time!
Toronto Jungle.com: The biggest website in North America for Jungle and a very popular website amongst Toronto's junglist community.
Theory Promotions: Run by Jose Rodriguez, this is the biggest monthly event Toronto has to offer, with the best international and local talent guaranteed.
Vinyl Syndicate: This label won Best International Label at the Knowledge Awards in 2001.
Yard Recordings: New ragga-jungle label created by Ryan Ruckus.
