Starting from humble beginnings, The Real Frequency became the premier hip-hop show on Canada’s first commercial urban radio station by featuring up and coming local artists who eventually became international stars. By giving early support to artists such as Drake, Shad, Boi 1-Da, and Tona, the show consistently showed its dedication to Toronto’s burgeoning hip-hop community. Though The Real Frequency show recently stopped broadcasting due to the sale of its parent station, its dedication to hip-hop lives on in the form of a new album project.
Now, running full heartedly with an idea that evolved from one of the most popular segments on the show, The New North, The Real Frequency has put together a compilation album, also titled The New North, that features over 30 artists best representing Toronto’s up-and-coming talent. Pairing together MC’s, producers, singers, and DJ’s from the city, Real Frequency has created a project that features the likes of JD Era, Marco Polo, Kardinal Offishall, Moss, and more, including aforementioned artists Tona and Boi-1-Da.
Also coming together for the album is Shad and Frank Dukes, who crafted the lead single from The New North, with the song “Flawless.” The song, which also features cuts from DJ Dopey, kicks into full gear from jump, with Frank Dukes’ gritty beat. Shad’s slick wordplay fits snuggly over the driving bass line and well-placed horn chops, an instrument selection that was a conscious decision for Dukes. “After hearing that I would be working with Shad, I knew I wanted to bring him into a different zone,” explains Dukes. “I gave him a rugged, aggressive beat that he absolutely bodied – it was his performance that helped inspire the song title.”