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Just when you
thought hip-hop was getting stagnant, just when you
thought hip-hop was only about the dollar bill and just
when you thought you'd heard all that Canada has to offer,
comes an emcee from Kitchener, Ontario that just is,
hip-hop. Just like his rhymes, his tag is all about clever
word play. It can be pronounced as "Just Is" or "Justis".
Whichever way you wanna say it, at the fresh age of 22,
Justis, aka Justin Vail has shared stages with
K-os, DL Incognito, Scratch from the Roots and
Shad K amongst others and is notorious for flipping
the script at his own hype lives shows. With heap loads of
stories to share Justis is proud to admit that his raps
are about life and his dedication to hip-hop and not about
flossing and braggadocio. Justis reflects on his music as
hip-hop created with heart, soul and thought. "I'm an
honest emcee. No fronts, just tell it like my life is, but
from a perspective that might be a little more easy to
relate to for REAL people". Toronto eclectic label, Do
Right! is releasing the first single from Justis, an
infectious, jazz influenced aptly titled tune, "Jazz
Music". The b-side: the bouncy, bass driven cut titled
"Down" and the future anthem, "I am Hip-Hop"
from his forthcoming album.
"Jazz Music", a stormer of a tune, features the
smooth but twisted flow of Justis over the dope live
sounds of well respected local band Ace Kincaid.
The intro creeps in slowly with a mellow vibe of high hats
and snares and a layering of keys, setting the vintage
tone for when the beat drops and Justis starts to spit.
The song tells the story of how his dad got him interested
in music at an early age. From Miles Davis to
Charles Mingus and John Coltrane, Justis pays
tribute to the jazz greats of the past and their influence
in his sound and style.
As well as being a dope wordsmith, Justis is also skilled
in the art of beat making and playing instruments. He is
well versed on the sax and harmonica and dabbles with bass
guitar and keys. The catchy, feel-good, party joint
"Down" has Justis flexing his skills on the mic and on
the production. "Down" is Justis' mantra; all he wants to
do is get down and invites all like-minded individuals to
do the same.
"I am hip hop" is a straight-up, boom bap head-nodder,
produced by Justis' longtime friend, Mantis. With a title
like this, some may find Justis' attitude to be a little
cocky, but after listening to the verses and hook, it's
apparent that Justis eats, sleeps and breathes hip-hop.
"It has been the biggest influence on me and has shaped my
whole life and I'm sure a lot of other people can relate
to that", says Justis. "I am hip hop" is about the plight
of a hip-hop head and is devoted to all those that share
the all encompassing hip-hop life and culture. Justis
recounts his own introduction to the music; hanging with
older cats, tagging spaces, rocking Jordan's and shell
toes and driving around listening to Pete Rock and
CL Smooth.
A lover of the old school, but growing up in the new
school, Justis fuses the quality elements of classic rap
with a future flavour, bringing his own form of justice to
the hip-hop game.
www.Justismusic.com
www.myspace.com/justismusic
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A1.
Jazz Music (Street)
A2. Jazz Music (Radio)
A3. Jazz Music (Instrumental)
B1. Down (Street)
B2. Down (Radio)
B3. I Am Hip Hop (Street)
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