Stephen Hero latest single, Tough Era, features production work from both Uncle Fester and Shiggy Sean One.
Matt Carter
Hip hop is a fringe art form. At least that’s how it seems out here on the East Coast. And no, I’m not trying to bury the lede here. And I’m certainly not trying to stoke that whole discussion about how East Coast music is so much more than guitars and fiddles (even though it clearly is). I’m not even trying to highlight the lack of representation certain artists receive on account of their chosen genre from annual award events like the East Coast Music Awards or any number of provincial music industry award programs. But seriously, when was the last time a rapper other than Classified snagged more than a single award at any of these events? No. I’m just stating some facts. I’m just asking a few questions. And I’m just tipping my proverbial hat to the underdogs, those music makers who will forever be pigeonholed into a single award category because of what they create and how they choose to create it. For those who believe award recipients and nominees make up a solid representation of a region’s artist output, I’m sorry. You’re wrong. You’re so wrong.
But I’m also a bit biased, I’ll admit. While I can appreciate a good song in just about any genre (sorry New Country) and have had a lifelong love affair with traditional music from the UK and Ireland (we all have our weaknesses), my interests naturally gravitate away from what is deemed popular by the masses. That’s just how my ears work. I’m also a bit of a devout contrarian. As a general rule, by the time the third person tells me to listen to something or to watch something, I’m already not interested. That applies to most forms of entertainment – music, movies, TV shows, podcasts – much to my wife’s chagrin. As a writer or arts journalist or whatever this is that I do, I don’t see any value in propping up artists who have already reached a comfortable level of notoriety. Those types of features may serve the algorithm, but I’m way past caring about that. I’m more interested in writing about the artists I think you should know about; the artists I believe in who have to fight tooth and nail for attention of any kind. And let’s not forget those artists who don’t give two shits whether or not you know them. The ones who don’t follow the rules because they don’t play the game. They’ve already found their tribe. Those are the artists I enjoy the most.
Stephen Hero’s latest single is a perfect example of the many things I just mentioned. It’s got it all. First class hip hop that pairs an emerging East Coast rapper – Hero – with two of the most respected OGs in the East Coast rap game. I’m talking about Halifax-based producer Uncle Fester and Fredericton’s own godfather of rap, Shiggy Sean One. Fester and Shiggy are among the East Coast’s most prolific musicians of any genre appearing on multiple releases by artists across Canada and the U.S. every year. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. Talented collaborators and studio producers of the highest order. From his home studio in Halifax, Fester makes beats and produces albums at a dizzying rate. The guy is in demand. As for Shiggy, he is largely invisible despite his 6’6” frame, but his influence is everywhere.
By now, it should be understood this entire ramble is meant only to serve those who are not familiar with either of these three artists. If you are already into East Coast rap and hip hop culture I’ll just assume you are familiar with Hero, Fester, and Sean One. That’s a pretty safe bet. I’ll also assume you’re well aware of the skill and talent therein. But I don’t write to serve those in the know. I want to bring outsiders into the circle. I want you, the lover of local or regional or East Coast Music © to know what goes on outside of the East Coast Countdown or whatever feed you follow to stay up to date on what’s happening within our broad and robust community.
Hero’s latest single, Tough Era is the latest in a line of pre-album teasers and features the title track produced by Fester with a remix produced by Sean One.
One of the reasons I enjoy following Hero’s trajectory as an artist is his commitment to his craft and his sheer will to grow with every step. I might have even fist pumped to myself when I first found out Monark was guesting on a Hero single years back. (It was like, “Yes! He’s bustin’ out!”) Hero once referred to himself as his hometown’s unofficial poet laureate, a moniker I’ve mentioned a lot in my writing about his music and one he downplays in the opening lines of his latest single – So I’m the Port City Poet Laureate, so, put a cork in it. It’s a bold move leaving the past in the past, but one that suits Hero’s place as a feisty up-and-comer with his eyes firmly placed on the next horizon. Always.
But Tough Era is not all about reinvention. Themes of poverty, personal struggle, and his trademark dichotomy of self-doubt and uber-confidence remain at the core of Hero’s lyrical content. He raps for himself as much as he does for everyone who struggles to pay rent, eat, and discover their purpose. And this is something I enjoy most about his music. Like a lot of his previous work, Tough Era acts as a window into Hero’s life. His ability to channel the good, the bad, and the in-between are what makes his work so relatable.
Tough Era – the original mix – features Fester’s trademark melodies, samples, and scratching, woven together in a way that few will appreciate fully. Like all great producers, he has a style and a flow all his own. For the flip side – Tough Era RMX – Sean One adds his own sonic flavour of bass, drums and R&B tinged melodies while also pulling in guest rapper Hatfield at Fester’s suggestion.
“Fester reached out to me a while back to see if I was interested and of course I said yes,” said Shiggy. “Fes is a homie and we do a lot of music together. Remixing is probably my favourite thing to do as a producer at the moment. I’ve wanted to work with Stephen Hero for a minute so it worked out perfectly.
“Hatfield is an amazing rapper from Nova Scotia,” he said. “He’s done an album with Fester and it needs to be heard by rap fans. He’s an incredible MC and fits really well with Fester’s production.”
When listened to one after another, both versions of Tough Era demonstrate the depth of hip hop’s presence in Atlantic Canada. From Hero’s lyrics and delivery to the production work by two of our most accomplished rap music producers, this single speaks volumes to the (deaf) masses. It’s emerging-meets-established and a brilliant example of a culture of music that supports its own regardless of the accolades or notoriety. Could Hero’s forthcoming album land him an ECMA? Maybe. Will Fester or Sean One land a nomination for their production work? Not likely. But does any of that stuff really matter? No. What matters is the music, and truth be told, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Hero’s forthcoming full length The Squeeze, is set to arrive in October.
