BaKardi Slang
Encyclopedia
"BaKardi Slang" is a hip-hop
song by Kardinal Offishall
. Produced by Solitair
, it was the first single from his second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
. The single was released in Canada in 2000, before being re-released in the U.S. the following year. It became his first single to appear on a Billboard
chart.
The anthemic song's lyrics depict the vibe in Toronto
. Kardinal breaks down the city's slang in each verse, similar to Big L
's song "Ebonics". In the chorus, he refers to himself as "Kardi", which is his nickname. The song popularized Toronto's nickname "T-dot", and became an instant hit in the city.
After the single became popular in Jamaica
, dancehall artist Bounty Killer
recorded a remix
of the song with Kardinal, known as "BaKardi Slang Refix". The song appeared on Bounty Killer's 2002 album Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery.
, directed by Kevin De Freitas
, begins with Kardinal rapping in the streets of Toronto, before going into a club. Later on, he drives a Hummer
through various Toronto neighbourhoods, including Regent Park
, Oakwood-Vaughan, and Jane and Finch
.
B-side
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
song by Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
. Produced by Solitair
Solitair
Solitair is a Canadian hip-hop MC and producer from Toronto, Ontario. He is currently a member of the Black Jays record label and production team...
, it was the first single from his second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released May 22, 2001 in the United States. Released on MCA Records, the album is his major-label debut. Its a recompilation album, which includes older songs and demos that he used to get signed...
. The single was released in Canada in 2000, before being re-released in the U.S. the following year. It became his first single to appear on a Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart.
Background
"BaKardi Slang" was the last song recorded for the Quest for Fire album. According to Kardinal, the song "almost never happened." He was about to drive to a casino with Solitair, and as he backed out of his driveway, Solitair put his beat tape in the system. After Kardinal heard the first beat on the tape, he drove back home and recorded the song.The anthemic song's lyrics depict the vibe in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Kardinal breaks down the city's slang in each verse, similar to Big L
Big L
Big L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
's song "Ebonics". In the chorus, he refers to himself as "Kardi", which is his nickname. The song popularized Toronto's nickname "T-dot", and became an instant hit in the city.
After the single became popular in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, dancehall artist Bounty Killer
Bounty Killer
Bounty Killer is a Grammy nominated Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. He is the founder of a dancehall collective known as The Alliance.-Early life and career:...
recorded a remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the song with Kardinal, known as "BaKardi Slang Refix". The song appeared on Bounty Killer's 2002 album Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Kevin De Freitas
Kevin De Freitas
Kevin De Freitas is an award-winning Canadian music video director. He has directed videos for Canadian bands such as Hedley, The Waking Eyes, Big Sugar and Armchair Cynics...
, begins with Kardinal rapping in the streets of Toronto, before going into a club. Later on, he drives a Hummer
Hummer
Hummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were...
through various Toronto neighbourhoods, including Regent Park
Regent Park
Regent Park is a neighbourhood located in Old Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Regent Park is Canada's oldest and largest social housing project; built in the late 1940s. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east,...
, Oakwood-Vaughan, and Jane and Finch
Jane and Finch
Jane and Finch is a neighbourhood located in northwestern North York, a district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The area is roughly bounded by Highway 400 to the west, Driftwood Avenue to the east, Grandravine Drive to the south, and Shoreham Drive to the north...
.
12" single
A-side- "BaKardi Slang" (Radio Edit)
- "BaKardi Slang" (LP Version)
- "BaKardi Slang" (Instrumental)
B-side
- "Ol' Time Killin'Ol' Time Killin'"Ol' Time Killin" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall featuring Jully Black, Allistair, IRS, and Wio-K, released in 2001. Produced by Mr. Attic, it was the second single from his second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol...
" (Radio Edit) - "Ol' Time Killin'" (LP Version)
Chart positions
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
19 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
37 |
External links
- "BaKardi Slang" music video at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....