And Cheer Music Pool in particular, originally named the West Indian DJ Pool, became the major force Black music in Canada needed in the face of a withering disco music scene.įounders DJ Maceo, Daniel Caudeiron, Len Crooks, Al Allen and Cornell Campbell had started the West Indian DJ Pool in 1977 to properly promote Canadian reggae, calypso and funk records. Record pools - which enlisted DJs to test out emerging dance mixes and records on the public - had emerged in the 1970s. While major record labels might have seen an investment in Black music as risky at the time, community-led, collaborative efforts had indeed found ways to keep the scene moving forward and build new audiences for Black musicians. In 1980, a headline in Variety magazine rightfully read, "Canada's Black Music Biz Keeps Balance, Despite Majors' Retreat." 'The major force Black music in Canada needed' The episode delves into the origins of Canadian hip-hop, its evolution, and how a strong community of artists, DJs, radio shows and grassroots organizations built a thriving Black music scene - despite the fact that many failed to see its commercial value. Campbell says Michie Mee's inclusion in "Ladies First" showed there is no difference between the talent in Canada and the U.S. WATCH | Campbell reflefts on Michie Mee in Queen Latifa's 1989 anthem "Ladies First:"ĭuration 0:25 Mark V. In " Northern Beats," the music episode of the new CBC docuseries Black Life: Untold Stories, Canadian hip-hop pioneers like Maestro Fresh Wes and Michie Mee examine how artists struggled for recognition from major labels and mainstream radio in the 80s and 90s. It's a welcome change to see Canadians expressing euphoric pride around the global successes of recording artists like PartyNextDoor, Daniel Caesar, Haviah Mighty, Jessie Reyez, Drake, the Weeknd and so many others.įor decades, Canadian popular music hasn't received the same love in this country as the megastars pumped out by the media machine south of the border.īut when it comes to the names of the artists who paved the way, those who cheer on today's pop stars might draw a blank. Campbell, who is featured in the episode "Northern Beats." This article is by assistant professor of music and culture Mark V. The eight-part series spans more than 400 years with an eye toward contemporary issues, culture, politics, music, art and sports. It does not store any personal data.Black Life: Untold Stories reframes the rich and complex histories of Black people in Canada, dispelling commonly accepted myths and celebrating the contributions of both famous and lesser-known individuals. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". showing relevant, targeted ads on and off our web propertiesĭetailed information can be found on our Privacy Policy page. personalized search, content, and recommendations remembering privacy and security settings remembering account, browser, and regional preferences The Vinyl Factory Group, trading as: The Vinyl Factory, Vinyl Factory Manufacturing, Phonica Records, FACT Magazine, FACT TV, Spaces Magazine, Vinyl Space, and The Store X, uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like:
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