On November 5, 1996, Toronto-based label, Beat Factory released the seminal Canadian hip-hop compilation, Rap Essentials Volume One. Helping to further energize the already-established careers of such north-of-the-border lyrical heavyweights as Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, Ghetto Concept and Rascalz, the album is also credited for launching the career of Scarborough lyricist, Dan-e-o.
With his featured single, “Dear Hip Hop”, Dan-e-o immediately cemented himself as one of Canada’s premier MCs. A quasi-love letter to the music and culture he adores, the Scam-produced single has stood the test of time and has garnered itself “classic” status in the annals of Canadian hip-hop history.
With his fourth album, Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later, Dan-e-o both commemorates the two decade milestone of the release of his legendary debut and pays tribute to a long list of inspirations. “The artists I pay tribute to on this album by including them as guests helped pave the way for me to become the artist I am,” says Dan-e-o, “But they themselves have also enjoyed the last 20 years or so of invigorating hip-hop culture. So this new album is as much about celebrating Canadian hip-hop as a whole as it is about my first single. Really, I’m just a chapter in a much bigger story.”
Among the honoured guests on the album are URBNET label mate, Moka Only, “Northern Touch” legend, Thrust and the Godfather of Canadian hip-hop himself, Maestro Fresh Wes. They all appear on the posse cut and lead single, “League Of Legends”, which is produced by Scam – reuniting Dan-e-o with the producer of “Dear Hip Hop” 20 years after its release.
Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later is a unique combination of re-mastered gems recorded during the mid-90’s and brand new golden era-esque bangers, which include “Rap Essentials”, an ode to the compilation that started it all with alumni, Mathematik and Deuce Deuce of Concrete Mob and a symbolic tribute to J Dilla entitled “Spit” featuring the late legend’s brother, Illa J.
The album is set for release in October 2017 on URBNET Records.
credits
released October 6, 2017
ou bumpin’ “Worldwide Vapors” on @spotify yet? It dropped today via @urbnet!
The 2013 single, which is an ode to “Vapors” by the late, great @officialbizmarkie, features the Canadian hip-hop legends @big.kish and @maestrofreshwes!
Produced by @charisma.aka.skizzz for @urban_bounce, this joint will appear on the forthcoming revised version of the “Immortal” EP. Stay tuned!
Click on my story for the Spotify link to the track! Shouts to @divohiphop for the artwork!
Veteran MC, Dan-e-o debuted in 1996 with his first single “Dear Hip Hop” - now considered a Canadian Hip-Hop
classic.
Dan-e-o’s 4th official album is a true gem in today’s hip-hop world. It will be re-released by URBNET as a “20th Anniversary” deluxe edition album entitled Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later in October of 2017....more
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