Kardinal Offishall
Encyclopedia
Jason D. Harrow better known by his stage name
Kardinal Offishall (icon), 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.
, in Toronto
's east end, and raised by Jamaica
n immigrant parents. From the ages of 2 to 13, he lived in the city's Flemingdon Park
neighbourhood. He moved back to Scarborough for two years, before finally settling in Oakwood–Vaughan, in the city's west end. While in high school, he would throw parties at the Alexandra Park Community Centre.
He started rapping at the age of eight and was winning competitions by the time he was 12. Also at the age of 12, he performed live and on stage for the first time, with Nelson Mandela
in attendance during Mandela's first visit to Toronto. By 1993, he decided to change his alias "KoolAid", and went by the moniker "Kardinal Offishall" after being inspired by the great 17th century French politician Cardinal Richelieu.
Kardinal was signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada
at the age of 20. In 1996, he released his first single "Naughty Dread
", which was featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One
compilation and earned him a Juno Award
nomination for Best Rap Recording
. In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album Eye & I
on Capitol Hill Music
. The only single from the album, "On wit da Show
", had considerable video play on MuchMusic
. In 1998, he was featured on the Juno
-winning single "Northern Touch
" with the Rascalz
, Choclair
, Checkmate
and Thrust
.
In 2000, Kardinal signed with MCA Records
. He released the album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
in 2001, which spawned the hits "BaKardi Slang
" and "Ol' Time Killin'
". After MCA folded in 2003, Kardinal's highly anticipated follow up album Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory was shelved along with the single/video for "Belly Dancer
" featuring Pharrell
, and Kardinal eventually found himself without a label. Had the album been released, there would have been production from Timbaland
and The Neptunes
, among others. He released an independent mixtape
titled Kill Bloodclott Bill in 2004 with his production company, Black Jays
, and he also released his second major-label album titled Fire and Glory
on November 15, 2005, through Virgin Records
in Canada
only. Hits on Fire and Glory include "Everyday (Rudebwoy)
" and "Heads Up".
In 2007, Akon
signed Kardinal Offishall to his label Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. In 2008, he released the album Not 4 Sale
. It spawned the hit single "Dangerous
", which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
In 2010, he was included in the Young Artists for Haiti
's version of "Wavin' Flag
" in an effort to raise money for disaster relief. He starred along with many Canadian stars. Also in 2010, he was featured in Raghav
's single "So Much
".
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Kardinal Offishall (icon), is a Canadian rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop
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...
ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
-influenced style of hip-hop.
Life and career
Harrow was born in Scarborough, OntarioScarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, 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...
's east end, and raised by 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...
n immigrant parents. From the ages of 2 to 13, he lived in the city's Flemingdon Park
Flemingdon Park
Flemingdon Park is a multicultural community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located in the North York district of the city. It is part of federal and provincial electoral district Don Valley West, and Toronto electoral ward 26: Don Valley West...
neighbourhood. He moved back to Scarborough for two years, before finally settling in Oakwood–Vaughan, in the city's west end. While in high school, he would throw parties at the Alexandra Park Community Centre.
He started rapping at the age of eight and was winning competitions by the time he was 12. Also at the age of 12, he performed live and on stage for the first time, with Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
in attendance during Mandela's first visit to Toronto. By 1993, he decided to change his alias "KoolAid", and went by the moniker "Kardinal Offishall" after being inspired by the great 17th century French politician Cardinal Richelieu.
Kardinal was signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada
Warner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. is an American music publishing company, and a division of the Warner Music Group. The company traces its origins back to 1811 and the founding of Chappell & Company, a music publishing company and instrument shop on London’s Bond Street that, in 1929, began a rapid...
at the age of 20. In 1996, he released his first single "Naughty Dread
Naughty Dread
"Naughty Dread" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. Its his debut single, released in 1996 on Knee Deep Records, before being featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One compilation album. The song contains a sample of "Natty Dread" by Bob Marley & The Wailers.-Background:Kardinal wrote the song...
", which was featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One
Rap Essentials Volume One
Rap Essentials Volume One is a Canadian hip hop compilation album, released in 1996 on Beat Factory Music. Its considered a landmark hip-hop album, and it was very influential....
compilation and earned him a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
nomination for Best Rap Recording
Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year
The Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
. In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album Eye & I
Eye & I
Eye & I is the debut album of Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released December 1997. It was released independently on Capitol Hill Music and distributed by St. Clair Entertainment. The album was critically acclaimed, spawning the single "On wit da Show".-Background:In 1996, Kardinal signed a...
on Capitol Hill Music
Capitol Hill Music
Capitol Hill Music is a Canadian independent record label, specializing in hip-hop and R&B music.The Toronto-based label was founded in the late 1990s by rapper Saukrates, and his manager Chase Parsons. In 1997, the label released Kardinal Offishall's debut album, Eye & I. Two years later, the...
. The only single from the album, "On wit da Show
On wit da Show
"On wit da Show" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. It was the only single from his debut album Eye & I. The song also appears on his second album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. The original version of the song was released in 1996 as a B-side of "Naughty Dread"...
", had considerable video play on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. In 1998, he was featured on the Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
-winning single "Northern Touch
Northern Touch
"Northern Touch" is a Canadian hip hop single, which was released in 1998 by Rascalz in collaboration with Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair...
" with the Rascalz
Rascalz
The Rascalz are a Canadian hip-hop group from Vancouver, British Columbia, who played a crucial role in the artistic and commercial development of Canadian hip hop. The group consists of MCs Red1 and Misfit, and DJ Kemo. Breakdancers, Zebroc and Dedos were also part of the group.Formed in 1991, the...
, Choclair
Choclair
Kareem Blake, better known by his stage name Choclair, is a Canadian rapper. He helped develop Canadian hip hop in the 1990s, as a member of the Circle.-Career:...
, Checkmate
Checkmate (rapper)
Checkmate is a Canadian hip hop artist from Vancouver. He is most known for guesting on the Rascalz' 1998 single "Northern Touch", which also which featured Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, and Thrust. He has also done work with Rascalz outside "Northern Touch". His 2002 album R.A.W...
and Thrust
Thrust (rapper)
Chris France , better known by his stage name Thrust, is a Canadian rapper from Toronto, Ontario. He is most known for his appearance on the Rascalz' 1998 single "Northern Touch" which also features Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, and Checkmate...
.
In 2000, Kardinal signed with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. He released the 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...
in 2001, which spawned the hits "BaKardi Slang
BaKardi Slang
"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...
" and "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...
". After MCA folded in 2003, Kardinal's highly anticipated follow up album Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory was shelved along with the single/video for "Belly Dancer
Belly Dancer (Kardinal Offishall song)
"Belly Dancer" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall featuring Pharrell Williams. Produced by The Neptunes, the single was released on March 25, 2003. It was originally the first single from his unreleased album, Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory....
" featuring Pharrell
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
, and Kardinal eventually found himself without a label. Had the album been released, there would have been production from Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
and The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
, among others. He released an independent mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
titled Kill Bloodclott Bill in 2004 with his production company, Black Jays
Black Jays
Black Jays is a Canadian independent record label, production company, and musical collective, specializing in hip-hop, R&B, and reggae music. Founded in 2000 by rappers Kardinal Offishall and Solitair, it was originally known as Silver House and the Girl . In 2004, the group came to prominence...
, and he also released his second major-label album titled Fire and Glory
Fire and Glory
Fire and Glory is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released November 15, 2005. It was released on EMI/Virgin Records, exclusively in Canada...
on November 15, 2005, through Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
only. Hits on Fire and Glory include "Everyday (Rudebwoy)
Everyday (Rudebwoy)
"Everyday " is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall featuring Ray Robinson. It was the second single from his third album Fire and Glory....
" and "Heads Up".
In 2007, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
signed Kardinal Offishall to his label Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. In 2008, he released the album Not 4 Sale
Not 4 Sale (Kardinal Offishall album)
- Samples and interpolations :* "Numba 1 " – Contains an interpolation of "The Tide Is High" by The Paragons* "Ill Eagle Alien" – Contains an interpolation of "Englishman in New York" by Sting...
. It spawned the hit single "Dangerous
Dangerous (Kardinal Offishall song)
"Dangerous" is a hip-hop/R&B song by Kardinal Offishall featuring Akon. Produced by DJ Kemo and hAZEL, it was the first single from his fourth album Not 4 Sale. It was released to radio in March 2008, and on iTunes on April 1. On the week of May 13, at the American iTunes store, the song was...
", which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
In 2010, he was included in the Young Artists for Haiti
Young Artists for Haiti
Young Artists for Haiti is a movement to engage Canada's young musicians to continue to inspire an ongoing effort and contribution to Canadian charities for their work to help the people of Haiti overcome the devastation from the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on January 12, 2010...
's version of "Wavin' Flag
Wavin' Flag
"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
" in an effort to raise money for disaster relief. He starred along with many Canadian stars. Also in 2010, he was featured in Raghav
Raghav
Raghav Mathur , known professionally as Raghav, is a Canadian singer currently signed to Cordova Bay Records. He is best known for his single "Angel Eyes" which peaked at number 7 in the UK in 2005...
's single "So Much
So Much (song)
"So Much" is a 2010 single by Indo-Canadian singer Raghav featuring Canadian hip hop artist Kardinal Offishall and produced by Labrinth from Raghav's upcoming third album entitled The Phoenix. "So Much" was released on the record label Cordova Bay Records and is a Top 40 feature on many Canadian...
".
Discography
- Eye & IEye & IEye & I is the debut album of Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released December 1997. It was released independently on Capitol Hill Music and distributed by St. Clair Entertainment. The album was critically acclaimed, spawning the single "On wit da Show".-Background:In 1996, Kardinal signed a...
(1997) - Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1Quest 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...
(2001) - Fire and GloryFire and GloryFire and Glory is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released November 15, 2005. It was released on EMI/Virgin Records, exclusively in Canada...
(2005) - Not 4 SaleNot 4 Sale (Kardinal Offishall album)- Samples and interpolations :* "Numba 1 " – Contains an interpolation of "The Tide Is High" by The Paragons* "Ill Eagle Alien" – Contains an interpolation of "Englishman in New York" by Sting...
(2008) - Mr. International (2012)
Awards
- 1999: Juno Award for Rap Recording of the YearJuno Award for Rap Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
for RascalzRascalzThe Rascalz are a Canadian hip-hop group from Vancouver, British Columbia, who played a crucial role in the artistic and commercial development of Canadian hip hop. The group consists of MCs Red1 and Misfit, and DJ Kemo. Breakdancers, Zebroc and Dedos were also part of the group.Formed in 1991, the...
' "Northern Touch" - 2000: Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year for producing ChoclairChoclairKareem Blake, better known by his stage name Choclair, is a Canadian rapper. He helped develop Canadian hip hop in the 1990s, as a member of the Circle.-Career:...
's "Let's Ride" - 2000: SOCAN Award for "Husslin'"
- 2001: MuchMusic Video AwardMuchMusic Video AwardsThe MuchMusic Video Awards are annual awards presented by the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic to honour the year's best music videos....
- Best Rap VideoMuchVibe Best Rap Video (MMVA Award)The following is a list of the MuchMusic Video Awards winners for MuchVibe Best Rap Video from 2002 to present. Best Rap Video is from 1990 to 2001....
for "Money Jane" - 2002: SOCAN Award for "Money Jane"
- 2004: Canadian Urban Music Award for "Empty Barrel"
- 2006: 3 MuchMusic Video Awards - Best VideoBest Video (MMVA Award)The following is a list of the MuchMusic Video Awards winners for Best Video....
, Best DirectorBest Director (MMVA Award)The following is a list of the MuchMusic Video Awards winners for Best Director....
(RT!) and VideoFACTVideoFACTMuchFACT is a Canadian fund that provides grants to Canadian recording artists to help them produce music videos. FACT stands for Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent...
Award for "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" - 2009: Juno Award for Single of the YearJuno Award for Single of the YearThe Juno Award for Single of the Year has been awarded since 1974 for the best single in Canada. It has also been known as Best Single and Best Selling Single.-Best Single :...
for "Dangerous"; Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year for Not 4 Sale - 2009: SOCAN Urban Music Award for "Dangerous"
See also
- Canadian hip hopCanadian hip hopThe Canadian hip hop scene was first established in the 1980s. Through a variety of factors, it developed much more slowly than Canada's popular rock music scene, and apart from a short-lived burst of mainstream popularity from 1989 to 1991, it remained largely an underground phenomenon until the...
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...