A note on volume two:
This volume will center on the scenes of one major North American city; Toronto. For twelve issues, I will share oral histories, notes, biographies, and the like, all relating to Toronto’s hip-hop past. This research will accompany two larger projects, a dissertation on the history of Toronto’s rap scene, and a meaty chapter in an upcoming encyclopedic book on Canadian hip-hop history. If you’re not into Toronto rap, read no further. Or, stick around and let me convince you otherwise.
The Greater Toronto Area (or the GTA) has, over the years, been home to a variety of hip-hop scenes and spaces. As an early adopter of hip-hop, Toronto has also felt the cultural zeitgeists that have riddled hip-hop from the start. In the early ‘80s, this, for Toronto, meant sound crews; and lots of em. From Chic Dynasty, to Sunshine Sound Crew, TKO, Kilowatt, and everything in between. In the ‘90s, this meant demo-shopping and the adoption of New Yorkian ‘grit’ through labels like Treehouse and Beat Factory. In the late ‘90s, and early 2000s, we have, surprisingly dope, attempts to break out into commercial success; artists like Kardinall Offishall, Choclair and K-Os were well suited for this goal. All the while, indie spaces thrived. And this is just the music; all elements were alive in well in Toronto, from the b-boy to the graff writer, to the journalist and knowledge-passer, Toronto had it all. Over the next year, I hope to be able to provide clarity to these events.
As with the first volume, treat this as reference material. In the case of volume two, consider all issues as supplementary bonuses to the two larger projects described above. As a historian, and as this project is themed towards history, be mindful that this will naturally slant the coverage in these pages. That said, don’t be confused; Toronto has remained thriving throughout. Artists like Daniel Son, Futurewave, Sibbs Roc, Finn, Lord Juco, Raz Fresco, King Bliss, Asun Eastwood, Bozack Morris, etc. have all kept the tradition of Toronto’s grit alive. If you’re into more modern flares of rap style, we have that too, although it’s too far outside of my zone of comfort to speak on.
On volume one (December, 2023):
Thank you for your interest in the publication. Each issue is filled with novel hip-hop history, music recommendations, and general hip-hop nerdom. Diving deep into the cannons of underground hip-hop.
It’s been a work in progress since issue 1, and a lot of changes have been made. I highly recommend starting with the latest issue, and only then deciding whether or not a back-purchase is for you. Download any issue digitally at the link above.
Issues 1-6 were printed exclusively through a local printer. I have some copies of 1-5 left, and I can ship them out within a week of purchase on this site here. Otherwise, from issue 7 onwards, issues are printed on demand through Amazon and follow more of a ‘book’ format. Type in ‘The Underground Vault’ on your local Amazon and you’ll find what you want. For a US author page with all issues, click here.
Issue 6, although is sold out here, has a lesser-quality print-on-demand version through Amazon. If you need the info, it’s a good one on San Diego’s Masters of the Universe.
Any questions or information? Get at me, TUVAlex@YorkU.ca
