There is something very underdog about Canadian musicians. For some reason, it seems to take a lot for us to breakout in the States. With superstars like Celine Dion and Shania Twain, Canada has made huge waves in the music industry, but we’ve never been the go-to country for great music. Luckily for us Canucks, this is all changing thanks to a 22-year-old rapper.
Just like every Canadian gal, I watched Degrassi: the Next Generation and remember the character Jimmy Brooks. Played by Aubrey Graham, Jimmy Brooks is the basketball star, best friend of Spinner, and loyal boyfriend to Ashley. But when Spinner hangs with the wrong crowd, he foolishly jokes to a friend that Jimmy made the plan of spilling feathers on the school nerd. The school nerd seeks revenge and goes on a shooting rampage, gunning down Jimmy and thus forcing the teen to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Throughout the remainder of his high school years, Jimmy had aspirations of a rap career. I must admit, watching Degrassi I thought the Jimmy Brooks/rap star story line was lame. It reminded me of David’s success in the music industry on Beverly Hills, 90210, and anything that reminds a viewer of David’s keyboard performance at the beach club is not a good thing. Not that I remember a Degrassi episode where Jimmy Brooks actually performed his “inspirational” rap songs; I only remember Jimmy sulking about how he’d never make it in music because of his wheelchair and Ashley saying he was talented… or something along those lines.
I was starting to forget about the Jimmy Brooks’ days on Degrassi when, out-of-nowhere, a young Canadian emerged on the rap scene. The rapper, named Drake, had just signed with Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment and quickly became the hottest new star. But hey, doesn’t this Drake fella look an awful lot like Aubrey Graham? Drake is Aubrey Graham?!
Name change aside, Drake is a proud Canadian. He’s not too big to appear on MTV News, or even give shout outs to his fav Canucks. I’m so proud to have a Canadian representing a new genre of music, especially one that rolls with the who’s-who of rap. I love his song Forever featuring Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne and Eminem. It’s so catchy just try not saying “If you ain’t been a part of it at least you got to witness, bitches,” after a couple listens.
Another Canadian making waves is Lights. 22-year-old Valerie Poxleitner performs dream pop and her hit, Drive My Soul, has become a radio favourite. She reminds me a little of a softer Gwen Stefani.
The designs for her album look like a graphic novel, and rumour has it a comic book is even in the works for the singer. It’s nice to have a dreamy indie pop singer getting attention in the States next to Drake’s rap; it shows that we are good in more than just one genre of music.
But Drake and Lights are a once-in-a-blue moon rarity. Canadians rarely make it in America. One that should be receiving attention is Joel Plaskett. Plaskett is a little bit folk, a little bit pop/a little bit this, and a little bit that. His quirky charismatic style reminds me a little of Jason Mraz, and he’s got a lot of talent.
This summer, I had the pleasure of seeing Plaskett perform live. He has a great sense of humour, a unique way with music, and is a fantastic performer. The music industry has a lot to offer, with sensations like Madonna to youngin’ Taylor Swift, but the mainstream is missing out on Joel Plaskett.
Every day I turn on the radio and listen to the greatest hits, feeling quite content. Sure I, like everyone else, have listened to Drake and Lights and am proud they are Canadian. But when I listen to an artist that others have not heard, like Joel Plaskett, I wonder how many others I’m missing out on. Surely there are hundreds of Canadian musicians that fly under-the-radar, just waiting for their Lil’ Wayne to snatch them from the bitter cold of Toronto and introduce them to Hollywood’s elite. And while us Canadians are filled with pride when one of our own makes it in the big leagues, it’d be even sweeter if we supported that talent before their were chillin’ in LA-LA-Land.
Who are your favourite under-the-radar musicians and what country are they from?