Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon is having his first solo show in Toronto after more than a decade, hinting at establishing more Wu-Tang Clan legacy for the city’s hip hop culture.
Raekwon’s headlining show will feature music by DJ Mercilless and openers Lyve Kaos, MLNY, T Gramz, hosted by Raw Dog Entertainment’s Jordan Detlor, and organized by 5 Elements Entertainment.
Almost all of the Wu-Tang members have individually performed in the city since the 50th anniversary of hip-hop last year, according to the co-founder of 5 Elements Entertainment, Alexander Christian.
“Every year, all of the Wu-Tang members come here. Ghostface Killah is good friends with people in business here, so even if he’s not performing he’s coming here. Raekwon has his hip hop lifestyle business, The Purple Factory, here, so he’s liking it here too. We’ve had Methodman by himself come here. I guarantee we’ll be seeing a lot more Wu-Tang members this year,” Christian told Now Toronto on Wednesday.
“Toronto loves the Wu and the Wu loves us back. When I talk to them they always say it reminds them of a clean New York.” Toronto DJ Mercilless told Now Toronto.
Toronto has always been a unique spot for music because of the city’s diverse dialects and cultures, but also its proximity to New York, according to Lyve Kaos, co-owner of 5 Elements Entertainment, based in Toronto.
DJ Mercilless, who’s worked with hip-hop legends Griselda Records, Benny the Butcher, the Lox, Wu-Tang Clan, and Juice Crew, also believes Toronto is distinct because of its multicultural vibe.
“We draw from so many different things, East coast, West coast, down south, island vibes you name it. We appreciate the artists that set the foundation and stayed true to the culture more than most cities,” he said.
Kaos and Christian both credit the early underground MC’s that put Toronto on the worldwide map, some of whom were even featured on BET, MTV, or VH1, such as Mathematik, Citizen Kane, K-Os, Swollen Members, Green Warriors, Maestro Fresh Wes, Kardinal Offishal, and Choclair.
“During that time of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, as hip-hop in the States, especially South Florida, was becoming way more commercialized, corporate influenced, and materialistic – Toronto still had its bearings in the roots of the culture,” Kaos told Now Toronto.
Coming from South Florida as a battle rapper and now living in Toronto, Kaos said he found his essence as an artist through the collaborative nature of local hip-hop in the city.
“Radio stations in the States are massively syndicated nationally so the whole country is listening to the same Top 10 Billboard rappers in rotation. The interdependence shown in Toronto’s hip-hop scene is a true pillar in preserving the legacy of hip-hop cultures and paying homage to the pioneer artists we grew up on,” Kaos said.
As Wu-Tang is for the children, referencing their iconic slogan, Kaos, Christian and DJ Mercilless are trying to close the discord between the younger generation who love the current sound compared to the older generation who uphold the 90’s and 2000’s.
“It’s important for legends to grace Toronto because true hip-hop lives here and the younger generation should learn from the masters,” DJ Mercilless said.
Kaos says younger artists in Toronto’s music scene can learn from hip-hop legends who continue to sell out shows in the city.
“It’s not just our demographic that has gotten older but the younger crowds aren’t missing out on anything but pulling up. These are polished MC’s who have mastered their craft for decades. No autotune, no background vocals, sometimes not even a hype man. You have to be there to see it but it’s an energy like no other filled with confidence, power, and nostalgia. These are titans that can move crowds in a way you remember that same event vividly decades later. That’s what MCing is about,” Kaos said.
Although Raekwon’s show expects most of the crowd to be over 30 years old, Christian hopes to attract the younger crowd for future events by bringing out newer local artists in collaboration with older 90’s artists.
Christian also hopes to put on more independent shows with the Wu-Tang Clan members.
“We’ve noticed Inspectah Deck has never done his independent solo stuff. Same with Masta Killah and U-God haven’t done their own independent shows, and that’s something we would like to change. Back in 2018, we brought Kool G Rap in Toronto and that one sold out and did well at Revival. We had such a response because he’s never come here before,” Christian said.
Raekwon will be hosting the five-year anniversary of his business at The Purple Factory from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., while the concert at the Opera House begins at 9 p.m. on Aug. 30. Tickets for the show can be found here.
