Canadian Rap Competition: A way out for youth at risk

BY SELINA McCALLUM

Do hip-hop and rap go hand in hand with violence in the city of Toronto? Tone Kelly, a Toronto-born recording artist and co-producer of “So You Think You Can Rap Canada” says competitions like this can defeat that stigma.

So You Think You Can Rap Canada kicked off in 2012 and is an annual competition that looks for the next Canadian artist to rise to the top of the genre.

“The hip-hop scene right now, it’s a lot deeper. There is a lot of violence right now in the city, and I feel like that’s why there is no support in it,” said Kelly.

Some youth use the arts as a way to escape the harsh realities of where they are from and express what they are going through. While they are trying to exclude themselves from the gangs, some people do not see it that way.

Kelly says that some artists leave Toronto to make music in the states because of the support they are not receiving in their own city. He hopes that this competition will show artists that there is a network of people willing to support them.

The Canadian Rap Competition is accepting submissions from now until June 6^th before midnight.

Kelly says they receive submissions from all over Canada, but he feels that the submissions from the artists in Toronto need more confidence.

“A lot them don’t believe in themselves, I feel. A lot of them don’t have the support,” says Kelly.

“It is the reason why the Canadian Rap Competition emerged,” says Kelly. The winner of the competition will receive $5,000 which can support and help the artist book more studio time and make music videos.

To enter, artists must submit 2-3 songs, a photo and short video stating why they should be considered and a $25 submission fee.

The competition will be held at the music venue Smiling Buddha in Toronto over four dates. The first round is on June 29^th, and each round the judges will eliminate four rappers. The last round where the winner of the $5,000 prize will be announced is on August 31^st.

Kelly emphasizes the three ingredients he thinks an artist needs to win this competition.

“Confidence, originality and stage presence,” says Kelly.

This year’s judges are Vibe 105 on-air personality, Carries Mullings, CHUO 89.1 on-air personality, DJ Dynamic, CIUT 89.5 on-air personality Newbreedmc, music producer, Steve Hollywood, and Music Executive and Casting Director Steve Mann. There will also be a surprise guest joining on the last day of events.

The competition gives aspiring and on the rise rap artists a platform to perform & mingle with music industry professionals.

For a lot of these artists, music can change their lives because of the impact music has on people worldwide.

Kelly speaks on why he thinks music can touch so many people.

“Music is a feeling. It’s an emotion, and it’s how people express themselves. There is no point to do music if people aren’t going to feel it,” said the recording artist.

Talented artists from Toronto and the GTA such as Tory Lanez and Haviah Mighty have participated in So You Think You Can Rap Canada.

Haviah Mighty, a talented artist from Brampton, was a part of a spin-off of the So You Think You Can Rap Canada competition called I Know I Can Rap.

“I didn’t know what it was, but I heard about it on Facebook, and I know I can rap, so I did it. I think it’s important for musicians to actively make networking moves and continually put themselves in rooms where new people will see them,” said the rapper.

Haviah won the competition and was awarded $200 and a slot to perform on the Yonge and Dundas stage in Downtown, Toronto. Three years later, and Haviah has traveled nationally and internationally performing her music for people.

“I’ve made big strides since the competition, though unrelated. My work ethic skyrocketed, my live show improved, and three years later, I have a very strong album that is doing very well,” said Haviah. “I encourage all musicians to seek opportunities, research them, and determine if they are helpful for you.”

The rap competition hopes that it can open doors like traveling and selling out shows worldwide for youth across Canada.

Kelly says that he is proud of Haviah’s success and happy that he can help open doors for other new artists. As an artist himself, he is most grateful that he can also learn from new artists.

In the next five years, Kelly hopes that they can take the competition internationally.

“It’s just a matter of time before the right people see it and we can get it televised on a bigger scale,” said Kelly.

Artists who thinks they have what it takes must submit their work to sytycrc.auditions@gmail.com