Sara Roth

Canada's hip-hop contributions may not have been as respected, as say, the country's contribution to curling and ice hockey or its French-fry-and-gravy culinary innovations. Artists like Snow (of “Informer” infamy) have given our northern neighbors a reputation that was hard to shake. These days, however, a solid Canadian underground hip-hop scene has materialized and legitimate groups like Kardinal, Drake, Sweatshop Union and Swollen Members have helped to eradicate past indiscretions.