It's a collective, scene?

>> T-dot MC Collizhun talks about building in T.O. and his Jamaican twang

by SCOTT C

For years, Toronto stages have been blessed with the hyperactive energy of hip hop group Nefarius, notorious for their in-your-face beats and hilarious lyrics. Singing the praises of the common man, MC Collizhun has made a name for himself rhyming about his Jamaican upbringing and just how broke he really is, while blowing people away with a fine-tuned talent for concocting the perfect beat.



Mirror: What's it like being a hip hop artist in Toronto right now?

Collizhun: It's different now. It's pretty much peace with everybody networking, people putting other crews on their bill. It's kind of cool that everybody is working as this team to try to get stuff out, and passing on the "I'm on this block, you're on that block" kinda stuff.

M: Is that the only thing that's changed?

C: Well, that's the biggest change! It used to be a big beef thing to go and do shows in certain areas, but now it's like everybody's growing up and they realize, "We can't do this anymore." If you're at a radio station and more than one MC shows up, it's only a matter of time before everyone is in the mix switching numbers, cards, e-mail addresses. It's like everyone is there to check girls or something the way the numbers are flying (laughs).

M: So it's more about building the collective scene?

C: Exactly. Actually, a few of the shows I've done just recently were put on by kids out of high school. Even the kids are part of it now. The kids who can't get their foot through the door being a rapper, yet are getting involved in other ways that benefit everyone. They make the links through being an organizer and promoter.

M: How important is Jamaican heritage to the music of Nefarius?

C: It pretty much comes natural, versus me sitting there trying to work it in (laughs). It just happens that way.

M: That's the only way it should be.

C: It's me. That's who I am, y'know? I'm the only one who raps whole songs in patois.

M: Do a lot of people in Toronto identify with your Jamaican connection?

C: Quite a few. It's hard to say, but I know they're there.

M: So what's new with your live show? What are the vibes like these days?

C: I don't know, man, but I think it's more laid back, and a little more aggressive in terms of the music. Before, we were hyper, but you could see where it needed work. Now it's much more put together.

M: What do you use to make beats?

C: An SP 1200 and an ASR 10. I use the SP for all my drums.

M: How long have you had that?

C: The SP? Since about '96.

M: Have you had any problems with it?

C: To tell you the truth, every time I have a problem with this thing, I just hold it upside down for five minutes and everything's all right. Guy, I'm serious. That's how my music gets made.

with Butta Babies, Offsides, Motion and Sekou Toure at Kola Note on Saturday, June 23, 10pm, $15