For those who don't know Bad News Brown was one of Canada's most talented emcees, who unfortunately was killed this past February. Not only was he a lyricist, but he demonstrates his harmonica skills in many of his songs.... RIP Bad News Brown, peep the video
The Corner Store 360 Radio
Sometimes you just gotta get away, clear your mind, and jet set…and that’s exactly what I did. After setting up playlists, stocking up on munchies, and closing the storefront gate, TCS360 was off on the Amtrak headed north. The destination: MONTREAL.
Best known for its hockey team, strip clubs, and poutine dishes, the cultural epicenter has been on the threshold of finally making its presence felt on the international hip hop radar. In this city north of the border, a number of up and coming artists are jockeying for position to be the one who finally puts M-City on the map. After losing their most prominent emcee, Bad News Brown, this past winter in a devastating act of violence, the burden lies heavier than ever for someone to come along and give the city a much needed revival through the power of music. Who better than The Distinguished Gentleman, to make the world (w)rap familiah.
The Distinguished Gentleman is the second installment to the (W)Rap Series. Driven by real life experiences, an unwavering work ethic, and the support of a close-knit team known as the Unknown Battalion (U-BATT), H-Man successfully delivers a glimpse into the streets of Bucktown Montreal. While portraying the harsh realities coming up on the corners, H maintains a distinct melodic flow that is as cold as a Canadian winter. It is this ability to captivate listeners in this way, that distinguishes him as an artist with immense potential.
In this mixtape, H-Man enlists the help of his alter ego, Richie Pooh, to bring forth a listening experience that is quite versatile, flexing his muscle on a wide range of tracks from popular radio singles to Ratatat’s “Wildcat”. From the intro “Can’t Forget About POOH” H wastes very little time introducing his smoother side, appealing to the ladies while remaining relatable to the fellas, a feat that is often attempted these days, but seldom executed.
After the first few tracks, the distinguished gentleman will have you “Lured In”, before changing the pace by flowing on alternative instrumentals such as “It Could Be You,” where he lets the girl of his dreams know the business, over the accompanying sounds of house drum-bass kits and soft piano chords. “Smooth Sailing” follows a similar vibe, as the track blends an old-school soulful sound with a French Canadian feel-good swag. These two tracks are stand out the most as they best display H-Man’s real potential for a broad appeal across cultural demographics. Other notable bangers include “West Coastin” and “Got to Lose.”
In this day in age, when fans are oversaturated by swag, internet gimmicks, and mainstream schemes, it’s refreshing to hear an artist come along and display a genuine integrity for their craft. Through his passionate lyrics, intricate wordplay, and easy-going delivery, H-Man has a certain je ne sais quoi, that distinguishes him as a stand out artist, and a strong front runner for leading the Montreal hip hop buzz across many borders.
TCS360 certified.
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