24% off zines with code: 24YEARSOLD

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

Side Road Records + Friends

We hook up with Factor, Joe Dub, Giovanni Marks (aka Subtitle), Nolto, Cam the Wizzard, Forgetful Jones, Ben.e, Advokit (NonStatus) and Ira Lee.

Interview

Fritz Tha Cat

Fritz Tha Cat (aka Ryan Somers) is probably better known as the rap editor for Vice magazine and for his super low-budget magazine ‘In Search of Divine Styler ‘…

Interview

Conspiracy

Conspiracy is a no holds barred rapper who’s imagination manifests itself best in his lyrics and intimate conversation. He is Mindbender’s twin brother and is probably best described as underground rap’s Robert Johnson…

Interview

Touch

Touch’s introduction to hip hop began in 1983 while break dancing in elementary school…

Interview

Mindbender

For those that don’t know, Mindbender is a calculated consciousness hailing from Toronto. We mostly talked about rap and everything related to it…

Kirby Dominant
Gizmo Review

Lomography Fisheye Camera

In the spirit of eccentric, yet accessible 35mm film cameras, this month’s review is another from the Lomography camera collection: the Fisheye. This camera boasts