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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

Mr. Complex

Queens native Mr. Complex discusses the internet’s effect on hip hop, his move from rap into film/television realm, and more.

Interview

Shad

Shad and I finally got together over email after months of broken correspondence and Noyz getting on my case. He’s a real slave driver that Mr. 319. In any case, peep the interview, Shad seems like a cool Homosapien, cop his new, Juno nominated album The Old Prince.

Interview

Anonymous Twist

This auspicious pharmacist from Toronto, is a producer, DJ and rapper who recently dropped an album called The Crucible

Art Feature

Artchild

Interview with veteran Toronto graffiti artist, Artchild.

Interview

E-dot

For an entertainer living in one of the world’s most iconic cultural Meccas – New York City – E-dot (of Hero) is surprisingly forthcoming about his roots as a rapper from Edmonton.

Interview

Baracuda

Aside from having a staggering quantity of VHS tapes, Guelph’s Baracuda is one of Canada’s best-kept secrets in underground rap.

Art Feature

EGR

EGR is a Toronto artist and illustrator with an impressive portfolio of illustration in numerous print and online publications

Interview

Braille

Interview with Portland’s indie hip hop veteran, Braille.

Video Feature

DJ Weezl

Video feature with Edmonton’s infamous Weezl, revealing a glimpse into his life on the road as Cadence Weapon’s DJ and more.

Interview

Ava DuVernay: This is the Life

Ava DuVernay is the director of This Is the Life, a new documentary chronicling The Good Life hip hop night and its participants (Myka Nyne, Chali2na, Abstract Rude, Ellay Khule, Pigeon John, 2Mex and P.E.A.C.E. to name a few).

Interview

Nomar Slevik

Interview with Freeport Maine emcee / producer Nomar Slevik.