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>> Nova Scotia's Sebutones school us on Canadian hip hop

by SCOTT C

If I say the words "Nova Scotia hip hop superstars," little probably comes to mind. Nova Scotia is not the first place you think of when you're trying to pinpoint hip hop genius, but it is there. You have to look under a lot of rocks though. That's where I found the Sebutones. The duo of Sixtoo and Stinkin' Rich are legends in their own minds, and in the eyes of many of their fans. They've done more for the East Coast sound than Ashley MacIssac and all those dancing fiddlers ever could. Sixtoo took some time out to tell us what he thinks about hip hop in Canada today.

Best commercial hip hop group in Canada

The Rascalz. I don't know if they're really commercial, but they're not what they used to be, that's for sure. They were here in Halifax last week and their live show was wicked, but they seem to be movin' in another direction. Wait--I take it back. The best commercially oriented thing going on right now in Canada is probably Frankenstein. He's pretty commercially driven, but he's doing things about as right as I can imagine.

Worst commercial hip hop group in Canada

There's just so many. Straight off the bat, anything on Beatfactory. All that shit to me is like New York carbon copies. Mathematik is actually all right. But let's just say MC J and Kool G!!

Best underground group

That's a tie between the Supreme Being Unit and Collapsed Syllables. They're from London, Ontario.

Most ego on a Canadian record

Rascalz came pretty confident on this new album they have out, but I'm gonna have to say Kardinall Offishall.

Most ego off record

Oh man. You're gonna have me getting in fights with dudes (laughs). Ummm. Most ego off record would have to go to Vancouver's Moka Only.

Best city to do a show in

London, Ontario, 'cause all the heads there are feeling real underground shit. They're real supportive, they buy your product and they'll give you props if you deserve it. We've played there quite a bit and we keep going back.

Worst city to do a show in

There's been some terrible shows in Halifax, but I'd have to say Toronto. Everytime, fools will just come to your show and screwface you--every time. Guys with their arms crossed, smokin' weed and blowin' smoke at you--mad doggin' you. We get it every time, man. Second worst place is Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Best Canadian hip hop single of the '90s

One of the Rascalz first singles, "Blind Wid da Science."

Worst Canadian hip hop single of the '90s

"No Sex With My Sister" by MC J and Kool G.

The best way to succeed in the Canadian hip hop game

Sell all your tapes to San Francisco because you can't sell tapes in Canada. Some good advice would be to get online, because there's heads that'll buy anything online. It's a good way to network, but if you can, definitely get your stuff to an independent American distributor.

The Sebutones play with Swollen Members, Divizion Blindee, V'eda, Chilan, Josh Martinez, justice and DJs P-Love, Killa Jewel, Mana and Wreck Friday, Nov. 26 at Le Studio, 9pm, $10