Too funny and such a coincidence. To me these two men have such countless professional/artistic/cultural significance similarities that it’s amazing that they had never been in the same room together before. Maestro is the undisputed Godfather of Canadian hip hop with the most undeniable hip hop club/dancefloor/live banger in this country’s history and Rakim is widely credited as top 5 ever in the MC world. In numerous debates I’ve glowingly praised Maestro as Canada’s Rakim and always given him acclaim for having been able to break down the barriers in Canada that stood before him in gaining credit as a homegrown rapper. He shook up the industry and become the first Canadian rap star and the first to go platinum in the true north strong and free. Beyond that, I’ve been a huge fan of his since 89′ and when he met my moms he told her that she had “raised a good kid…” He’s mos def got charm and charisma but giving my moms a kiss on the cheek and saying that? Maestro is definitely my dood!

Maestro was in town for the launch of his new self help book “Stick To Your Vision” (another first for a Canadian rapper) and when I ran up on him dt in Vancouver he was cool enough to issue me a challenge. He asked me to spit something showing my love for Rakim. I already was feeling the pressure from sharing a stage with the God but now I had to summarize my praise for one of the best to have ever done it. On top of that, I did some research and found out that Rakim wasn’t overly pleased when Nas had written the “Unauthorized Biography of Rakim,” showing love to the legend in a song. Oops. Tough challenge. Nas is a pretty good rapper but has never done 100 thrusters in a red leotard or re-written the “Urban Rush” theme song so I thought I was ok… Wrong. Nerves got to me and I’d forgotten the first lyric as soon as I opened my mouth over the beat. I freestyled my way out of it but if you look closely you can see the kid sweat and a great deal of self loathing…I go back into the spoken word piece and I pronounce Tupac wrong like I’ve never heard of him or said his name before. Haha (always tough on myself). Whatchu gon do when it’s live right? I’ve posted the amendment so u can check it in my videos to see what I meant to say. Haha, great challenge Wes, I had a blast doing it and think it turned out fine. I needed my cat Freddy to intro the piece because he’s got jokes and my shit is getting tired.

Turned out to be an absolutely epic night in the library of Vancouver’s greatest shows no doubt. Certainly not because of me but rather the heads in the building and the energy within. Defenders of The Faith played that night and killed, Swollen was in the building, Sound Advice was in the place, Kilo C, Shad, Flip Out, Hedspin,, Jeff Spec, Sweet G, Martini, Jay-Swing, I heard K-OS was there but didn’t see him, Gemineye and to top it off maybe the loudest ovation was when the Godfather himself came out and absolutely shredded the fucking stage with “Let Your Backbone Slide…” Wow.

Seeing Rakim in Vancouver was crazy, “Juice” blew my mind, I want the song “Mahogany” played at my wedding… Dood didn’t even have to rap half of his old school shit, it’s embedded in the consciousness of anyone who grew up listening to Hip Hop and recited instinctively. Send me flix, I can’t believe I didn’t bring a camera!

All love to the Peak because due to my involvement in this Project, the promoter reached out to me for an opening slot. Thanks to Jay and Nate for considering and having me. Anyone in the city would have done it. Thanks to DJ Abel for holding me down and love to Jim Vanderhorst and James Roxby for filming and editing. Big shouts to my cat Freddy, home run, I can’t believe I might have to fight him before the PPP is over. Next week a female Canadian Icon…?

Stokedrios

This week did not permit a challenge to be posted but believe we will be hitting you hard next week with some new shit. I am pleased to let you know that I do have new material for y’all to check out though. You can finally purchase the single Sadder Days right here…

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/sadder-days/id380252659?i=380252660&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

You can watch the live version of Sadder Days on Urban Rush with my brother Kevin Coles and Doug Naugler here…

And you can peep an underwater photo shoot by Mark Maryanovich here…

http://gallery.me.com/markmaryanovich#101454

Mark is an old friend and an amazing talent. We were shooting on Sunday night and found ourselves at the sickest party in Vancouver at Keefer Place in a crazy penthouse with a glass pool. He told me to jump in with my clothes on – he’s the only dood that I would do this for and believe that my eyes are still hurting from trying to keep them open. He put the images to my tune “Let Go.” Love it and can’t wait to work with him in LA.

Stay uprios

FIONA, MMMMMMICHAEL!!!!

Urban Rushrios

Good people, welcome to challenge number 3 with Cabbie issuing me an absolute punishment in an attempt to fortify my breath control. I had to go through a grueling workout at the Lions Den in North Vancouver with Chris Harrison (owner of Crossfit Lions). On top of that I had to obtain a clothing sponsorship to strengthen my stage presence. Through my association with this competition Vivo headwear was kind enough to sponsor me with a catch… I had to make any gear look good to be able to secure their support. My package looks stunning in a red leotard and u get to see my boobies… I was an absolute mess after this challenge and the show I did in Kamloops that night was near impossible. Shout out to Garret Vandusen for coming down and putting me on and as usual all love to Jim Vanderhorst for shooting and editing this monster.

Cross Fitrios

OK, there is a new challenge that has been issued by Prevail from Swollen Members. A tortorous and barbaric challenge dedicated to the Peak that had me freestyling for 100.5 minutes (one hour, 40 minutes and 30 seconds). You will notice that I say my own name close to 200 times, this is not shameless self promotion but a security blanket which buys me a tiny bit of time to think of something else to say… It’s fitting that the best freestyle MC that I have ever known issued me this task and it was definitely a challenge. Big ups to Stylust at All-In Studios and DJ Abel (holding it down firm and stable) for helping me out. Check out the Bieber diss, I think the war is on and the Belieber’s are gonna come after me… I was only kidding Justin, u are the man (in a tiny girls body)!!!

Huge respect goes out to Jim from Dutch Mountain for the camera work, editing and making this happen.

Finally, without further adieu I present my campaign for this competition… I’ve asked for help from a variety of successful artists and entrepreneurs to help me on my quest to become Vancouver’s number one Peak Performer. Following advice and accepting all challenges no matter how profane, profound, ridiculous or seemingly unobtainable, I have pledged to do whatever I can to win this competition.

For the 1st challenge I wrote a piece incorporating all of my fellow artists names and some of their music titles into a verse. Kevin Durand, a brilliant Candadian actor from “Lost,” “Robin Hood,” “Wolverine,” “Smokin’ Aces” (list goes on and on) is kind enough to offer up the first challenge. He calls it the “Peak Performance Program” but dood is HUGE and I wouldn’t correct him if he called me Shitrios… I would actually probably just humbly make the name change. So I have made a video for y’all to check out and I hope you like it because there are more coming… Please keep checking in and I will have updates on my progress.

Shitrios

Huge announcement for me and my career, I’ve just been selected from a list of 470 entries as one of 20 finalists in the Peak Performance Project!  This is a competition for artists based in BC and offers $100, 000 to the winner. The final 20 consists of a variety of gifted and talented musicians that has me feeling as equally honored as intimidated to be in their company.  I will need help from all of my family, friends and fans if I am to be at all competitive. This is an enormous opportunity for me and I’m drunk with humility to be selected.  I apologize in advance for the hounding and participation that I will be asking for in the future.  I will keep you posted on all upcoming events and news.  Expect a massive outpouring of new content from me ASAP…

All love and blessings

Kyprios12

No mas. Tour was filthy. 1st solo tour in a couple of years and it seemed as if I had to make up 4 lost time. Jumped in the rental with another veteran (DJ Abel), a rookie (City Real) and pursued my continual vendetta against the crooked yellow line that led us first to the Atha-B in Jasper.  I’ve been in love with this town and it’s patrons since I first started playing there 5 years ago, so they  forced me to perform a spoken word piece (hate) that I hadn’t played in 2.5 years  but I was happy the old standby got dusted off. Party continued to Rob’s crib after and took a turn when he invited a 60 pounder of Crown Royal that knocked DJ Abel to the couch at 5 am… Veteran drinking hot one hun-dread and making rookie mistakes (who pukes first night of tour)? Macy’s.

Off to Edmonton AKA E-Ville to stay at City Real’s girlfriends spot ‘the compound’ and play at the Temple. Scale Breakers murdered things, Triple Crown with my man Chubb rocked shit, City Real held things down but my homegirl Nova’s assless jeans stole the mother fucker that night!! Props to the homey Jordan Coles for comin through and reppin.

Calgary up next where the Flames mashed up the Sens to set the tone for us. Breakers around again to steal shine. Dragon Fli Empire opened and held it down as always. My show was mad fun and big up to Ms. Ange, Ms. Gunderson, and my man Coop 4 coming through again.

Lethbridge + Blarney Stone + MC Battle + Kyprios show + Crystal Skull vodka – sobriety = Huge Fucking Night!! Big ups to Chris, Dave, Booda and L-Rev for looking out, always above and beyond common courtesy and professionalism making the Bridge one of my favorite stops. Props to Nickname for winning the MC battle and Im pretty sure that was the 1st night I lost my DJ battle to DJ Abel ( Mr. Firm and Stable). The rookie City Real did all of us fans of pure comedy a solid by sleeping in the bathroom warmly nestled in the warm embrace of the toilet. Trust me, Ive paid some rent to that spot as well youngblood!

Quality hangover brought us to the Cannore Hotel where Mike Little rejuvinated our spirits with some pubes of the dog. Couple more drinks and Kyp Bukowski is back on the straight and narrow. Long time SSU homey Christine Hunter came through and repped hard for the squad along with my dudes Matt and Jordan Coles. This was the best show of the tour and I thank y’all so much for coming through and supporting The Midnight Sun. Much fun.

Alright dudes, I’m on the road with SSU now in the USA and will have something new for u next week. All love.

Kyprios 12 (The never was a has been)