Next Friday, Red Bull Sound Select’s monthly showcase will be at The Opera House headlined by hip hop star, Ty Dolla $ign. The Manifesto-curated event is one of many birthdays that Manifesto Festival is doing to celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. With the purpose of the Red Bull Sound Select being to “highlight some of the city’s most exciting emerging artists”,Ty Dolla $ign will be supported by Nasty Nigel and 2 local hip hop artists that readers should definitely keep a look out for.
One of those artists, Keita Juma, has already been named one of the 10 up and coming hip hop artists in Toronto by BlogTO. The UK-born, Mississauga living rapper/producer/DJ has a style that one would say is underground rap meets jungle music. If you’re a fan of Skepta’s grime, but love Gesaffelstein’s beats, Keita Juma is someone you should keep on your radar.
On the other hand, Toronto-rapper, ShaqIsDope, doesn’t just have a dope name, but who else can say they collaborated with 4-time NBA Champion, Shaquille O’Neal on a track. Couldn’t think of anyone; yeah me neither. With pedigree like that, the man known as “the Toronto wordsmith”, released his latest EP, Black Frames in March, this HotNewHipHop heatseeker has a sound that almost makes you think you just found the Canadian Hopsin. One can only hope to hear a collaboration with Hopsin or fellow Canadian, Tre Mission in the future.
But don’t just take our word for it; if you’re looking to see what else the Toronto hip hop scene has to offer, check the showcase. More info on tickets can be found here.
Written by James Ankrah. Follow him on Twitter.
