Jon B

My name is Jonathan “Jonb” Balazs a writer, photographer and filmmaker here at ugsmag. Originally a long-time forum poster and terribly naive rap head, I first visited the site in 2001, but didn’t start speaking my piece until 2006 with a “gizmo review” on Lomography’s Fisheye camera. Since then, I’ve tried to interview only the dopest rappers, producers, DJs and hip hop icons throughout Canada and the United States – or at the very least, shining a light on those artists who have made a significant mark in their respective territories. Hailing from Ugsmag’s original prairie home of Edmonton, these days Toronto is where I lay my head at. I am always curious about new music and I encourage legitimate rap folks to email me the new sounds, but there is a very good chance I will not get back to you – I’m terribly grumpy and have very little patience for biters, whiners, posers, toys…as well as overt displays of sexism, homophobia and bigotry. But I love damn good hip hop!

Interview

Dragon Fli Empire

Calgary rap duo Dragon Fli Empire (Teekay and Dj Cosm) chat about Canadian hip hop, their new album “Redefine” and much more.

Interview

Cam the Wizzard

Cam the Wizzard is arguably the cameo king of Alberta rap. His latest project is a group with Factor and Subtitle.

Interview

KazMega

KazMega is an untapped talent, a producer + rapper from Edmonton who few people know about because he has yet to release a debut…

Interview

Mantrakid

Producer, rapper, and designer… Mantrakid is a recent transplant to Vancouver Island after spending over 20 years in the prairies.

Interview

Birdapres

A stalwart in the Winnipeg and the Vancouver rap scenes, Birdapres pops up regularly with Canada’s hardest hitters in rap.

Interview

Corvid Lorax

Karan Singh (a.k.a. Corvid Lorax) is a rapper from Edmonton, Alberta. He is a dedicated figure in the fields of the milky complexions…

Interview

Kaigen

Interview with Japanese emcee Kaigen; an affiliate of Curse Ov Dialect (Mush).

Video Feature

Junkyard

You’ve heard Junkyard meeting rappers over the phone, now in this video feature we give you an intimate view of his little world.

Interview

Noah23

Noah23 is Guelph Ontario’s rap Godfather and Canada’s own “Poetical Prophet.” He is the President of the Plague Language