As a Torontonian who’s lived in NYC for the past 17 years and just returned home, I can tell you that the self-hate has always been this city’s downfall and the reason why the scene here hasn’t produced more internationally (and by that I mean primarily, the US) successful artists.

Drake is the hottest new rapper in NYC by FAR and there’s no hang-ups there about the fact that he’s from Toronto! Sad to say but Canadian MC’s who want to really make it might be better off leaving the country and establishing roots elsewhere less the hating & negativity stunt their vision, creative growth and ambition. The sooner this changes, the better off and the bigger the Toronto and Canadian hip hop scenes will be.

Good article. I personally think he’s the best to come out of Canada, and is proving that
by being the most successful canadian rap artist in the USA to date. Nobody has had as
much love as him in the US, Not kardi, k-os, rascalz, etc and now just watch record sales
pour in when he gets the big budget and big producers…

Even the video for “Best I Ever Had” is dope. Such a old school play on sexism, but I
found the light in it unlike many others… I think Kanye directed it right and while the
song really aims at women the dudes are glued to the video which also sells the song. Its
a funny video, but hot at the same time!

Again, great article, I hope all is well my friend!

It all goes to the old school saying, your family and friends will hate on you first. In the words of E-40 “That sound like some word a hating ass nigga like you would say”. it’s very unfortunate because when he blow up then they’ll be jockin him hella hard. it goes to show to don’t matter where you from, real hip hop will shine through. Drake is nice, he’s the truth and I like his style, why hate on someone whose reppin for you. That self hatred in every sense of the word. but that’s how people are taught. drake do your thizzle man and I need some new stuff dude, these fool just gettin up on So Far Gone and I been on it since it first dropped. Now its on the radio and shit. Need new material, something. and please since you signed with young$, please don’t use auto tune. that would bring your originality down, fo real.

First of all I’d like to say great article Alex…

Next…everyone got caught up in the whole Kanye vid thatwe didn’t see the other side to it.By reading HXFOUR’s comment, I realize now that the video might have actually did what it was suppose to do. Everyone, including myself expected so much from it because of the hype that no one realized the simplicity of the video and the message it gave away. I still think it could have been a more creative video though…like I watch Kanye’s video and I’m like damn u kno…

Yes Ro I hear that…dudes like us have been on the So Far Gone mixtape from time when it first dropped. I remember posting it up on this site actually. I was blown away…but I’ve always liked Drake. It was my lil bro who actually got me on board to his music…he called it and said this dude will be big , while most people within the city were like “dude is just ok or he’s garbage”. I’m glad that he left Canada and pursued his game elsewhere. Truthfully I hear people that still put him down, but these are the same people that show him props and say what up when they see him in clubs in Toronto…

I’m not surprised at the increasing rate his bandwagon is growing but I hope Drizzy stays true to himself and his “real” fans in the end. This industry is very shifty. One wrong move and one will be persecuted. In the end it’s the fans that are really latching on to you are the ones that will stay no matter what…

“With the same sword they knight you, they gon’ good night you with
Shit, that’s only half if they like you
That ain’t even the half what they might do
Don’t believe me, ask Michael
See Martin, see Malcolm
See Biggie, see Pac, see success and its outcome
See Jesus, see Judas
See Caesar, see Brutus, see success is like suicide
Suicide, it’s a suicide
If you succeed, prepare to be crucified” – Jay-Z

P.S. Drake drop some new tracks…”So Far Gone” done come and went…Like Ro said, all these bandwagons just hearing your tracks and thinking you’re a newcomer into the game. Can’t wait for “Thank Me Later” to drop.