Go get yourself a copy of Cadence Weapon’s remix disc at cadenceweaponmusic.com, where you can name your own price.

Separation Anxiety (2009)

Here’s a little sample:

Roll With The Winners – Cadence Weapon (Produced Hervé/ Count & Sinden)

I’ve got a bunch of completely unrelated remixes for you today… the only thing that holds them together is that they have all be keeping me happy as of late… I hope they make you happy too!

House Music (A1 Bassline Remix) – Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon - House Music (2008)

The lovable Canadian rapper from the parries, Cadence Weapon, dropped his swift lyrics for the original of House Music on his 2008 release Afterparty Babies. His fresh rhymes are put to upbeat house music, worthy of any dance floor, even my kitchen!

I Got Soul – Chris Tall vs. The Killers

The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)

One of my favorite tracks by The Killers from their debut album, Hot Fuss, released way back in 2004. Chris Tall gives this track a soft touch, that keeps what made the original track great in tact, while adding some fun-loving house beats to bring us all out to the floor. His skillful handling of this remix makes me believe that he is on his way up, and will, in not long, be put on the same shelf as Jacques Lu Cont. I’ll be watching for future remixes from this Swedish producer.

Bubblicious (Congo Rock Remix) – Rex the Dog

The Rex the Dog Show (2008)

Congo Rock took Rex the Dog’s very 1980′s feeling track, with uplifting lyrics and varying bleeps and bloops, and made it thick and dirty! The very dancable tune, has fat beats and baselines over top of the light vocal samples from the original track. Its a fun romp on the floor, if you ask me!

Rex the Dog is currently touring in and around Europe in support of his 2008 album Rex the Dog Show. Italian Congo Rock is also touring currently, all over the world, including a stop at my neighborhood club, Celebrities next month, with The Crookers! I’m going to have to talk Perfect into going with me, I think it’s going to be off the hook!

Happy Up Here (Boys Noise Remix) – Röyksopp

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here (2009)

This track is a little on the experimental side, but it has a way of getting stuck into your subconscious. The prominent beats, keep a constant rhythm, that is joined by various changing elements, including vocals from the original. Give this track a try, you might not like it upon first listen, but if you give it a chance, it really grows on you!

The current Canadian Hip Hop scene seems to have a particular love for 1990, and really, I can’t blame ‘em. 1990 was a bright, colourful and fun year, just before the brooding Seattle grunge scene took over. Two particular Canadian rappers have embraced 1990 and spun it with their own fresh style.

The Old Prince (2007)

Shad has fully embraced 1990 with his recent video The Old Prince Still Lives at Home. The video is is a full re-enactment of the opening sequence to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Shad’s tongue and cheek impression of Will Smith is accompanied by his witty rhymes about ways to save cash, like skipping the trips to the dentist:

Well thanks a lot doc but listen
I can brush my teeth all on my own
So you ain’t gon hustle me!

Now that’s some excellent advice for the kids! Part way through the video a Windows error pops up and the beat stops. Shad informs his crew, and the audience, that he couldn’t afford the rest of the beat. So he finishes off the track a cappella. Slick!

Shad has a pretty cool story! Originally from Kenya, Shad was raised in London, Ontario. He entered and won The Rhythm of the Future talent competition, and created his debut album When This Is Over with his winnings in 2005. While he continues to pursue his Hip Hop career he is also working towards his master’s degree up at SFU. I expect to see lots more from this young man in the future.

The Old Prince Still Lives at Home – Shad

For your reference and easy comparison here is the opening credit sequence to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Everyone sing along!

Our second strapping young Canadian rapper who has embraced 1990 is Cadence Weapon, dropping rhymes reminiscent of another strapping young Canadian rapper from a whopping 18 years ago (yes 1990 was that long ago!). With his clean cut style and slick rhymes he reminds me of the great Maestro Fresh Wes. I certainly wouldn’t say that Cadence Weapon is biting The Maestro’s style, but the influence is evident. Cadence Weapon’s video for Real Estate, from Afterparty Babies, is complete with fabricated backgrounds and classy black suits that harkens back to Maestro’s classic video Let Your Backbone Slide. Both tracks share quick flowing lyrics, fine female vocal samples, and dynamic beats with fresh scratching. See for yourself:

Real Estate – Cadence Weapon

The video that made “threading the needle” the hottest challenge on the dance floor:

Let Your Backbone Slide – Maestro Fresh Wes

Afterparty Babies (2008)

Cadence Weapon comes from a prominent Albertan family with his grandfather having been an Edmonton Eskimo, and his father having brought Hip Hop to the northern city via the University of Alberta’s campus radio station CJSR. I would normally find this to be impressive, but as I’m originally from Calgary, I get far more excited about the fact that Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) used to be a Stampeder! Even though Cadence Weapon is from my hometown’s rival city, I’ll have to admit that I have a bit of a crush on the fine young man, so handsome, funny and charming! Shhh… don’t tell Perfect!