DJ A-Mu "Canadian Classics" (Mixtape)

Ever just search through the database of Soundcloud? It's amassed so much amazing content over the years, so it's no surprise some quality stuff pops up from time to time and catches my attention. Managing an artist from Canada, it's beneficial to me to be up on the history of Canadian Hip-Hop, in order to pay homage and just to be aware of its rich history in the culture. Here's a nice crash course by DJ A-Mu with his "Canadian Classics" mixtape. As a bonus, it's real gritty,  underground 90s hip-hop, which as a vinyl head checks an extra box that most mixes don't cover. Having a look at the tracklist, it includes some familiar names like Thrust, Frankenstein, Ghetto Concept, Citizen Kane, Saukrates, Marvel, Maestro Fresh Wes, Theo3, D-Sisive, Arcee, but also dusts over another layer with Sic Sense, Da Grassroots, Crooks of da Round Table, Nas-T Howie and more. A-Mu dug in the crates with this one and it's much appreciated, check out Canadian Classics below...

Maestro Fresh Wes "Naaah! Dis Kid Can't Be From Canada?" (1994)

"Maestro is no new kid on the block. A few years ago when he debuted in his native Canada, he blew up the spot and sold a number of units too. Now he's out to flaunt his mic skills to the world. His lyrics come varied - endless witty puns and metaphors are used as an umbrella for the subject matter he deals with. 'Nah..." showcases a penchant for straight-up, New York style braggadocious freestyling like "pray for the east," "mic mechanisms," his desire for "brown sugar," or when he kicks knowledge on a "higher level." The beats are also varied, although they are all jazz flavored..."

"The production, handled by Fresh Wes and Showbiz, is tight and the samples (especially the horns) are very rare, in turn providing heads with something new to nod to other than over-used breakbeats. By the end of the set it becomes obvious that Wes is a freestyler, and you soon realize why he describes himself as Fresh. What's most important is that he's fly on the mic and never leaves you yawning." - Hip-Hop Connection, May 1994 - Save a copy of the full review below.