FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1998 All Rights Reserved.
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| MUSIC THE RASCALZ They may have arrived slightly late to Vancouver's GM Place for this year's Juno Awards ceremony, but that isn't how The Rascalz made one of the most controversial splashes in Juno history. Instead of accepting the award for Best Rap Album during the untelevised, pre-Juno festivities, The Rascalz declined the honor altogether. Among other urban musicians and fans, The Rascalz were disgusted with the Juno's producers, who continue to slot the urban awards segment out of the spotlight. "They talk about ratings," band member Misfit says from Vancouver, "they're missing a whole section of people out there who buy albums from these artists who are at the Junos. (They) don't get to see them there. Their music is not represented. "(We) wanted to shed some light on that issue to let people know they have a voice and that they can be heard, and let these people know who are running the Junos that they want to see this. Not specifically The Rascalz, but they want to see their artists represent their music, they want to see them accept the award. It's just as much Canadian music as Shania Twain or Leahy." Misfit and the rest of The Rascalz are proud of their achievement despite their formal rejection of it. Winning the Juno is a significant accomplishment since The Rascalz have attended the last three Juno's without winning their category. Observing the unfair coverage of the awards ceremony year after year has given The Rascalz fuel for their fire: Canadian urban music excellence should not be held secret. "It comes to the way it is presented and hidden," Misfit continues, explaining the harsh impact the exclusion has on R&B, hip hop and reggae award winners (let alone nominees). In a frustrating manner, their names briefly flash on the screen before a break to commercial. "When it comes to the urban music - when it's on a large scale and growing - it almost feels like a token gesture like, 'Oh yes, here's your award, let's get on with the show.' "Until we feel we are a part of the Junos, then I will not come back and accept my award from 1997/98 Juno award Best Rap Album winner." And while The Rascalz are proud to be identified with Canada, Misfit describes The Rascalz songs as universal music. Their efforts have been warmly received by fellow hip hop fans who have been otherwise starved for a national urban music scene. They have released their third album, Cash Crop, in conjunction with BMG on their new label, Figure IV Records, and have begun establishing themselves in Europe. Misfit explains it's simply part of the picture of the group's strong determination to blow up the scene. "Definitely. There's a much larger picture 'cause we still gotta continue on, still gotta make another album, we still gotta possibly get another Juno nomination. There's other awards, other shows, other TV shows, other radio, other interviews to do - it is part of the picture." |
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