Supreme Genes Series; Reigniting the love for Hip Hop in the city of Toronto

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Hip hop has played a significant role in Toronto’s music scene for several decades, and it is why the story I am about to share is so important. In fact, Toronto is known for producing some of the most talented hip hop artists in the world, but let’s take a short trip down memory lane, and then we can speak to the exciting news that hip hop heads in Toronto have to look forward to.

In the 1980s, Toronto’s hip hop scene was heavily influenced by New York City’s hip hop culture. As a result, many early Toronto hip hop artists incorporated elements of East coast hip hop into their music.

In the 1990s, Toronto’s hip hop scene became more diverse, with artists incorporating elements of reggae, dancehall, and R&B into their music. Notable Toronto hip-hop artists from this era include Choclair, Saukrates, and Kardinal Offishall. It is important to note here that Toronto was still being heavily influenced by artists from the New York city hip hop scene.

In the 2000s and beyond, Toronto’s hip hop scene exploded with the emergence of several high-profile artists, including Drake, The Weeknd, and Tory Lanez. These artists have helped to bring attention to Toronto’s vibrant hip hop scene, which continues to thrive today.

What is interesting is that these high-profile artists only became high-profile when they were embraced and celebrated outside of Toronto. It was then and only then that many of us would even recognize them for their talents.

I say this; Toronto has a love for hip hop that is bigger than our city; this love for hip hop has not changed, but there has been a hole in the industry, one that cannot be filled with the new sounds of hip hop. This hole could only be filled with something that reminds all of us about why we fell in love with hip hop.

This is where Supreme Genes, represented by: DJ Mercilless, Asun Eastwood, Jason Frost, Koolie Hi and the ever-famed Lord Fury.

Anyone who knows me has seen the relationship that I have with Lord Fury. I appreciate him because unlike other people who speak about what they are going to do, he does what needs to be done. I had a chance to speak with him about what he has been up to this year, and he shared what seems to be a fruitful year for hip hop lovers in Toronto.

“Why the name Supreme Genes Fury,” I questioned.

“Supreme Genes relates to the fact that we do things on the highest level possible. It is in our DNA. All of us have a love for hip hop, and what we have set our minds to do this year has been nothing but supreme.”

“What made you decide to start the Supreme Genes Series?”

“Well, let’s start with the fact that no one is getting any younger. A lot of the artists that our team is bringing down here have not been heard from for a minute, but this does not take away from the mark that they have made on hip hop.”

I was privileged and honored to be invited to the first concert of the Supreme Gene Series. It was with the one and only Killah Priest. What a night it was. From beginning to end, I was hearing hip hop that brought me back to simpler times. Dj Mercilless was doing the most that night. Killah Priest and Fury both performed that night, and wouldn’t you know it; I received a Supreme Genes Journalism Award. It was touching, and I was truly humbled by the experience.

Since then, the Supreme Genes team has brought other celebrated artists to grace the stage at BSMT 254.

 “My next concert,” Fury shares, “was with Carlton Livingston. That was another sold out event. I hosted the whole event, and Supreme Genes Sound held it down. Every major European Vinyl collector was there. What made it special is that Carlton Livingston sang all his songs, and as he sang them, he presented the stories behind them. It allowed the crowd to embrace the song even more.”

Fury opened the show and brought Papa Levi on stage who sang two new songs and from what I heard; it was hard to follow him.

“Trust me Simone, Papa Levi made the place. Then we brought up Ras Yunchie and he electrified the crowd. He was on stage with myself and Papa Levi, with Koolie Hi and Supreme Genes Sound. More madness.”

His next show was with the one and only Group Home, and once again, it was sold out.

“We had the No Face Crew , Usual Suspectz, and the Fuego Gawds open the show with DJ Mercilless spinning the whole night, no breaks. He played everyone’s set and kept the place jumping.”

There were some celebrity sightings that night. The one and only Knia Singh came to represent at the event, and received a big up from Group Home.

“What do we have to look forward to for the summer Fury?”

“Well, I do have some things lined up, but I don’t want to speak on them quite yet. I will give you a heads up on one thing; in August, we are bringing: Onyx, M.O.P. and Group Home across Canada.”

All I can say at this point is that thanks to Supreme Genes for ensuring that hip hop remains a staple in the fabric of the Toronto music scene.