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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!

Video Feature

Modulok (Red Ants)

Video feature with Modulok via satellite from Toronto as he discusses his group Red Ants, their new album Omega Point and his new documentary project.

Video Feature

Off Centre DJ School

Video feature on Toronto’s Off Centre DJ School, featuring it’s founder Steptone, who is also one half of the turntable band iNSiDEaMiND.

Interview

Benny E

I was in high school when I walked into “the Layup” Benny E’s grimey rap boutique on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton. Although it was short-lived, it served a few of us miscreants as a bench, whether we were comparing blackbooks, looking at records or talking rap smack.

Interview

Epic

I’m fairly confident that most people who check out ugsmag know who Epic is. For all those with the wool over their eyes, pick up any of his albums 8:30 in Newfoundland, Local Only or Epic & Nomad and you’ll get a better picture of who he is…

Interview

Jesse Dangerously

Maybe it’s something in the water, but the Halifax rap quotient is high for a city of just 280,000. It has consistently produced some of Canada’s most successful artists…

Interview

Modulok (Red Ants)

Modulok is the principal rapper of the group Red Ants and fellow Coxwell avenue resident in Toronto’s east side…

Interview

Wordburglar

SJ the Wordburglar has been holding down Canadian rap with a string of consistently dope releases; the most recent is his highly regarded ‘Burglaritis’

Interview

Chadio

Interview with Van City emcee Chadio of the almighty Imaginations Treetrunk, The Quoted Motives, This Dance Dance Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Ephin, and 50 Fingers (Side Road).

Video Feature

Poizunus

UGSMAG video feature on Toronto based beatboxer Poizunus (Scribble Jam 2007 Beatbox Champion).

Interview

Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon is arguably the busiest man in the Edmonton rap business right now. Mr. Weapon (a.k.a. Rollie Pemberton) has been surrounded by music his whole life: his father – the late Teddy Pemberton – was a DJ at the University radio station CJSR…

Interview

Low Budget Affiliates

Edmonton’s beloved “rappa-holics” who have been holding it down since 2001. Their starting line-up consists of Chris Plus, DJ Nato, Add-Vice, Chaz and Max Prime.