Isis talks Toronto hip hop

March 11th, 2010

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The Toronto Free Gallery is currently putting on a hip hop exhibit called T-Dot Pioneers: An Exploration of Toronto Hip Hop History and Culture. The exhibit features items from the birth of Toronto hip hop including old photographs, posters, vinyl and awards – even a Juno! The exhibit also coincides with the launch of a new Canadian hip hop website, Northernsidehiphop.ca.

Last week we caught up with Toronto hip hop artist Isis from Thunderheist at the opening of T-Dot Pioneers, and here’s what she had to say about the history of Toronto hip hop and her crush on a certain CNN anchorman.

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Much: What do you think about the history of hip hop in Toronto and the evolution of the black community?

Isis: First of all, I think it’s amazing because people forget that hip hop wasn’t just one cultural movement that was something that happened in America. It happened all over the world. I think it’s amazing [the exhibit] is not just focused on one particular thing; it shows the full universality of hip hop. You know, the cultural aspect of it.

Much: Chuck D used to say hip hop was the black CNN – do you feel like storytelling in the Toronto hip hop scene has changed in the last 20 years?

Isis: I think its not longer just a black thing. You have people from all walks of life telling their story. When Chuck D said it, [hip hop] was the black CNN because they had a lot of stories that weren’t being told or weren’t getting out there in a mainstream way… Definitely back then it was a black CNN but now its more of a global, urban, kind of youthful CNN. What’s that guy’s name? That really hot, grey-haired guy?

Much: Anderson Cooper?

Isis: Yes! He just popped into my head. You said CNN and I was like ‘Anderson Cooper’s a babe’. [laughs]

Much: You have a crush on Anderson Cooper?

Isis: You know, Anderson, I think you should call me… [laughs]

T-Dot Pioneers will be on at Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor St W, until April 18th

Tags: isis, thunderheist, toronto hip hop