by SCOTT C

You might say Black Cat, Korry Deez and T.R.A.C.K.S, members of Toronto hip hop outfit IRS, were surprised when they got a call from a Canadian Music Week representative a year ago and were told that they'd won the Future Stars Award, placing their debut CD in Future Shop stores all across the country. They didn't even know they were eligible. So you can imagine how astonished they were when Universal Music Canada decided to pick them up and sign them for the recording of additional tracks. Welcome to Planet IRS is in stores now and showcases some of the illest production and MC talents residing in Toronto right now, still working after years in the studio to make music that will reach people wherever they are. The Mirror spoke to MC Black Cat over the phone from Toronto.

Mirror: Now, I know that you guys have been around for a long time as IRS, but also with Monolith and the whole crew. Has your core sound changed since you started working with a major?

Black Cat: We make gritty soul music. We're very big on the lab element where we put all of our talents into the music, whether it's playing instruments and doing solos, or singing or whatever. We, as a group, have a lot more instruments to offer.

M: You guys seem to have the whole producer-as-MC thing locked down over at IRS. Is this a difficult thing to do with so much creativity in one room?

BC: It depends on how you approach it. With us, it was more of a natural approach. It goes back to when we were kids and we always wanted to do both. We want to make beats and we want to rhyme too. Before we had our own equipment, we'd go to the studio to make beats, and then our next session would be rhymes. We got into that pattern, and when we started getting our own equipment, it was just natural. I'd make a beat a day, and a few rhymes a week. Being able to do both is a blessing.

M: I remember you guys from back in the Beatfactory days, and even then you guys were working it. Has Toronto changed as much as it seems? Is the music biz out of control?

BC: The difference between then and now is that people believe now. People support the fact that we have a lot to offer and they're rising to the occasion. I feel like we're taking in and nurturing our young musicians now, exploring all the avenues that have recently become available to us. Things are getting easier for sure, but you still have to come with tight music and a creative edge, that's for sure. Commercial radio in Toronto has allowed a lot of independent artists to up their game and approach things from another level. There's something to work for, and you can see the results. It makes a lot of the young cats coming up work all that much harder, and that's good for everyone.

With Kardinal Offishall, Ms. B and more at le Medley on Friday, April 18, 10pm, $10

>> Music Listings