Steel City Hip-Hop:

Since I’ve been in “H-Dot-O” a.k.a. “Hamilton, Ontario”all my life; I’ve decided to reminisce about the early Steel City Hip-Hop scene and my accounts of my good ol’ days.

B.T.W., Hamilton is called Steel City, due to the vast amounts of steel and steel products we create and export.

I went to Dr.Davies elementary, near Beasley Park in 1983, in downtown rural Hamilton. I recall fridge cardboard boxes and a ghetto blaster in my hands and under my back quiet frequently. My friends and I would leave our grade 2 class and go break dance at Beasley. The sense of adventure and endless intrigue kept me returning daily… thirsty as heck!!!

As the years progressed so did the skateboarding scene and my love for dancing, rhyming and making beatz!

In the early 90’s, I loved going to numerous all age underground shows. There was an exciting electrical energy in the air. Here are some of the club names…

There was NRG and The Kingdom just outside of H-Dot-O. Roxy’s  and bowlerama jams were near Stoney Creek in East Hamilton, but my favorite shows were the ones in the Hammer, ran by “Ruff House”.

Those nights were thumpin’ bass down the block, from the various rented locations in downtown Hamilton.

Groups such as “Dynamic Fatality” (Money & Pauzey), “Legal Eye” (Eklipze, Double Ice, plus 1), “Ground Control”, “F.N.S.”, and “The SystemEyed” (my 1st group) were some of the local acts playing at different clubs in the early 90’s in H-Dot-O.  Fuzz Records & Kazz came out in the mid and late 90’s era.

In the late 80’s and 90’s, up to now – On air, it was “Live & Direct” (formerly hosted by Eklipze & DJ Realistik) now ran by a new crew on Saturday nights. On Thursday nights “In Tha Kut” (formerly Hosted by 3rd Sun & music from DJ Raize)

The Booty Call (DJ Devious) was on Sunday nights and the show had amazing R&B/Hip-Hop.

These shows were ran from McMaster University (MAC) on FM Radio 93.3. Old school staple underground groups ran the gamut. MAC’s airwaves helped introduce many Hamiltonians to both NYC and West Coast greats.

Some early MC’s I know paved th e way for Steel City Hip-Hop were…

The F.N.S. (Fist of The North Star) “RashDon” who is now in a local group “The Hi-Cats”.

“Eklipze” formerly of “Legal Eye” & entrepreneur of various clothing stores, such as  “Crafty Grooves”, “The Boom Spot” which threw amazing fun events on top of Jackson Square Mall. The events were “Concrete Canvas” which repped all 4 elements of Hip-Hip culture to the fullest. Ellipse is Currently a successful custom painter & author, in Steel City.

I’ve been a participant and spectator for decades in H-Dot. I and my two children were all born at St.Joe’s.

I’ve been to other city’s, counties and can still come back to our steel smell in the air, and love Hamilton more every time. Our history and blue collar stubborn filled roots are to great to convey here.

I’ve seen beefs occur and get squashed and some needlessly escalated. The many cultures that Hip-Hop and Steel City melt/weld into one, inspire and challenge me, creatively, mentally and spiritually.

I see and feel God in Hamilton, at the parks, schools, work, clubs and especially at my amazing experienced Doctor’s office.

I appreciate you reading this. These groups and clubs have gone but there memories live on! “Steel City Hip-Hop” saved my life!

God bless!

ChAnGeR Music