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Our big Saturday on our main stage at Ship Point is an ode to the incredible influence of Jamaican rooted music as we celebrate not only reggae, but hip-hop and big bass electronic music that was pioneered by the soundsystems of Jamaica. To celebrate a quarter century of Victoria Ska s most conscious and hard-hitting acts, DEAD PREZ. Not only does this mark the festival debut of Dead Prez, but marks the duos first show in Canada in over a decade. Since the release of their landmark debut album Lets Get Free in 2000, Dead Prez has been recognized as one of hip-hops most important acts balancing hard thumping beats with an unwavering dedication to tackling an endless array of politically pressing issues pertaining to the Black community. MCs Sticman and M1 have proven time and time again on Dead Prez releases and their numerous guest appearances that they are among the quickest, smartest, most dedicated political MCs this side of Chuck D (Public Enemy). This is sure to be one of the most powerful, unforgettable hip-hop shows Victoria has seen in quite some time.Bringing the straight reggae goodness on the bill is our dear friend, UK reggae icon MACKA B Wha Me Eat, Macka B has carved out a wholly unique place in the world of reggae. His last Victoria appearances left a huge mark on our audiences and we cannot wait to see what him and The Roots Ragga Band bring us under the open sky at the Inner Harbour. Also joining us from the UK on this jam-packed Saturday bill is reggae bass outfit MUNGOS HI-FI, who will be coming with powerful vocalist MARINA P. There might be no act in the UK doing more to both preserve and push forward big bass reggae music. Their dedication to blending the sounds of Jamaicas past with new ideas and energy has made them one of the biggest crossover acts in Europe, bringing fans of classic Jamaican music and modern electronic bass together in dancefloor revelry. Kicking things off for our Saturday party is Victorias own ultra smooth R BLAS, who will be laying down their silky grooves and effortlessly cool vocals to bring some serious west coast style to the proceedings. Longtime allies TANK GYAL and DJ AREMS will also be on hand to warm up the system and keep peoples feet moving between bands with the best in reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and more. Join us for the penultimate Ship Point throwdown of our landmark 25th Anniversary!
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dead prez Biography
Dead Prez is the pair of underground alternative rappers, Stic.Man and M-1. They have become known for their hard-hitting style and politically-aware lyrics, focusing on racism, critical pedagogy, and activism against governmental hypocrisy, and corporate control over the media, especially hip-hop record labels.
In 1990, M-1 headed to Tallahassee to attend FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) where he and Sticman met and connected due to their mutual love of music and knowledge. "I was soaking up the Black Panther Party as a whole," M-1 remembers. "I learned about their lives and it helped mold me."
"I realized there's a struggle already going on and I have to try to help ride it out," interjects Stic.man. M-1's quest for insight led him to join the International Democratic People’s Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) in Chicago for three years while Stic.man remained behind in Florida and started getting into trouble. Burned out by the arduous labor of Uhuru, M-1 decided it was time to do that music thing and Stic.man agreed.
Dead Prez transcribed the political education they acquired into lyrical poetry. Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar discovered them in New York and helped them sign a deal with Loud Records. But being the new kids on the block of a powerhouse label like Loud (home to the Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep) wasn't easy. dead prez wasn't always Loud's priority but that didn't stop them from building a fan base around their over-the-top performances. (They've been known to ignite dollar bills and toss apples into the audiences, declaring they eat healthy).
Their debut album was Let's Get Free, which had a minor hit with the song "Hip-Hop" the year before. The album was critically well-received, and included intense political diatribes featuring prominent black revolutionary Omali Yeshitela, as well as "Animal in Man," a retelling of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Some argue that Let's Get Free is one of the most influential albums in rap. In 2001 they collaborated with The Coup, another politically active hip-hop outfit, to release Get Up. In 2002, Dead Prez released the independent mix tape Turn Off the Radio Volume 1, followed by the release of Turn Off The Radio volume 2: Get Free Or Die Tryin' in 2003. In 2004, Columbia Records finally released RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta.
Recently, M-1 has released a solo record featuring among others Styles P and Ghostface Killah.
In 2007, Dead Prez was featured on Patriarch's debut album Son Of A Refugee on the ferocious "Don't Let Em'".
http://www.deadprez.com
Read MoreIn 1990, M-1 headed to Tallahassee to attend FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) where he and Sticman met and connected due to their mutual love of music and knowledge. "I was soaking up the Black Panther Party as a whole," M-1 remembers. "I learned about their lives and it helped mold me."
"I realized there's a struggle already going on and I have to try to help ride it out," interjects Stic.man. M-1's quest for insight led him to join the International Democratic People’s Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) in Chicago for three years while Stic.man remained behind in Florida and started getting into trouble. Burned out by the arduous labor of Uhuru, M-1 decided it was time to do that music thing and Stic.man agreed.
Dead Prez transcribed the political education they acquired into lyrical poetry. Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar discovered them in New York and helped them sign a deal with Loud Records. But being the new kids on the block of a powerhouse label like Loud (home to the Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep) wasn't easy. dead prez wasn't always Loud's priority but that didn't stop them from building a fan base around their over-the-top performances. (They've been known to ignite dollar bills and toss apples into the audiences, declaring they eat healthy).
Their debut album was Let's Get Free, which had a minor hit with the song "Hip-Hop" the year before. The album was critically well-received, and included intense political diatribes featuring prominent black revolutionary Omali Yeshitela, as well as "Animal in Man," a retelling of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Some argue that Let's Get Free is one of the most influential albums in rap. In 2001 they collaborated with The Coup, another politically active hip-hop outfit, to release Get Up. In 2002, Dead Prez released the independent mix tape Turn Off the Radio Volume 1, followed by the release of Turn Off The Radio volume 2: Get Free Or Die Tryin' in 2003. In 2004, Columbia Records finally released RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta.
Recently, M-1 has released a solo record featuring among others Styles P and Ghostface Killah.
In 2007, Dead Prez was featured on Patriarch's debut album Son Of A Refugee on the ferocious "Don't Let Em'".
http://www.deadprez.com
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