“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”
-Ghandi
Hey everybody,
As most ya’ll know, I’ve been rapping since 15 years old, dropping albums since 17. It’s always been my dream to rap for a living, and though it often seemed unreachable, I felt I owed it to myself to give it my best shot.
Anyone who’s followed my music knows I’ve had long-term struggles with flowing on beat, and building a fan base outside my high school/neighbourhood
friends (whom I appreciate dearly, don’t get me wrong).
So I can understand why most heads never really believed in me, especially given some of my disastrous shows, wildly offensive/unmarketable lyrical content, and general lack of any press/hype over the past 17 years. Obviously it’s been tough to generate any real buzz, and been a long, uphill hike thus far.
But despite these struggles I’ve faced, something inside me refused to quit, and I’ve done my best to overcome them all. Guess it came down to mostly a matter of pride, and a refusal to settle for any lesser result than what I felt capable of.
That said, I’ve never considered myself more naturally gifted at any aspect of rapping than anyone in the game--but I was willing to put in more work, and told myself the only way I’d ever reach this goal was to simply outwork all my peers, in order to reach their level, one day.
My work ethic I owe entirely to my amateur wrestling background, and all my coaches/training partners whom I was blessed to train with, throughout my youth.
In my second year I competed at the Brock Open in St. Catherine’s, where I was down in my first match 9-1, two points from losing by technical superiority.
Out of pure stubbornness and desperation I threw a head-and-arm throw, sending my opponent flying through the air to pin him for the win, going on to place second, overall.
That match taught me a valuable lesson, one which has stayed with me all my life--that the only way I’d ever lose for sure was if I quit, but long as I kept pushing forward, I might be able to come back, and win.
This mentality is a large part of what’s kept my rap dream burning over the years, and I’m proud to say today, looks like my stubbornness has paid off.
I’ve recently been offered a distribution deal from Detroit Loud Records, who are going to help push my latest mixtape and next projects, and generally help me
build the Wildcat brand.
I’ve had one of Toronto’s top entertainment lawyers break down the contract for me, and we feel it’s a fair deal. I’ve spent the past few weeks working on getting samples cleared and various legal documents drafted, but now that’s dealt with so I’ve signed the contract, and our deal’s official. MC Wildcat is now on Detroit Loud Records.
As most hip-hop heads know, Loud was a legendary 90s label, home to such artists as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, Mobb Deep, Tha Alkohlics, The Beatnuts, Xzibit and others. I’m not sure if Detroit Loud is affiliated with the original Loud records, or if they just threw their name in to represent, but I’m honoured to be given this opportunity, either way.
Best part is, being a distribution deal as opposed to recording deal, I will maintain creative control over the direction of all my tracks/projects, and own the rights to my recordings. So everything I drop going forward will be 100% my vision, as always--never some 65 year old CEO’s idea of how Wildcat should sound to get more radio spins, or whatever. This the exact type of deal I’ve always wanted, and I’m super hyped it’s finally here!
I’d like to thank all my hardcore fans, everyone who’s supported me and shown me love over the years, and everyone I’ve worked with who’s helped develop me into the artist I am, today.
Big shoutouts to my wild production team--Fry, Star and Pete, for hooking me up with countless bangers, sweet deals, and constructive advice since day one.
I know my stubbornness and eccentricities can make me difficult to work with at times, so thanks for putting up with all my silly mistakes, re-takes, and all the bad/unprofessional decisions I’ve steadily made, throughout this whole process. I love you guys, and look forward to working with ya’ll through this next chapter of my career.
I’m gonna try to organize some kind of party/show in the next little while, to celebrate with all the true heads who’ve had my back. Even closet haters are welcome too, cuz the more ya’ll doubted me and talked shit, the more that drove me to push harder, just to prove ya’ll wrong. So nothing but love for my haters, as well.
In closing, I’d like to drop a message on the new generation, especially my younger brother, and young cousins.
I always feel like an old man saying this, but I really believe it’s true: you guys are growing up in this hyper-speed world of cell phones, Netflix, Twitter, Uber and everything else, all of which are great advancements, but I fear they’re conditioning you guys to expect instant gratification, which isn’t healthy, or constructive in any way.
Expecting instant gratification out of life is a dangerous trap you don’t want to fall into, which unfortunately has become a common trait in many young people, today. A sense of entitlement will only lead to laziness, poor habits and a negative attitude, none of which will get you anywhere in life.
Anything you guys want out of life is entirely attainable, but you gotta be willing to grind hard, make sacrifices, and straight up for suffer for long, indefinite periods of time, if you truly wish to reach your goals. If you ever doubt that, I’m living proof that even the wildest dreams can come true.
Course nothing’s guaranteed in life or especially the music business, but if a crazy white boy from East York with an offbeat, choppy flow and the same 30 dude fan base for 17 years can get signed to Loud records, then I truly believe nothing’s impossible. Long as you want it bad enough, you’ll get there.
Many kids in your generation aspire to be rappers, but how many are really willing to wallow in obscurity for 17 years, squirrel it out working dead-end jobs into their mid 30s, forego committed relationships and having kids, spend beautiful summer days indoors writing rhymes and practicing their flows for hours, and steadily invest large dough into independent albums and promotion, with no guarantee anything will pay off? If you don’t have that level of commitment to your craft, then don’t expect to pop off as an artist.
Ya’ll think I’m crazy? Maybe I am, but all that’s what it took for me to get here.
I’ve dropped a lyric video for the title track off my next album, “Feast & Ravage.” I’m proud of this track cuz unlike most commercial rap today, it’s not built around a catchy hook or an obnoxious beat, trying to be some jiggy club banger. It’s an old school, relentless lyrical assault--nothing fancy just a barrage of intense bars from the heart, which is the style I grew up on, that inspired me to start rhyming.
Hope ya’ll enjoy. These past 17 years have been a wild struggle, now an even
wilder journey’s about to jump off. I don’t quite know where it will lead, but I’ve
been preparing for this adventure all my life, and will keep riding for this cause, wherever it takes me.
I’ve said this plenty times before, now I’ll say it again, cuz this time it’s a real warning, not just smack talk:
All ya’ll wack MCs and fake thugs best step ya’ll games up and come correct soontimes, cuz Wildcat’s finally out the jungle and running loose in these streets, and I’m here to regulate, and bring back the realness. And I don’t think nobody’s prepared for the wild ruckus I’m about to unleash. Fair warning.
Let the wild monster feast and ravage!
Represent from Dundas to Detroit,
Blessings to all, one love,
Wildcat
#slumsofdundas #embracethestruggle #rosethatgrewfromconcrete
#dundasdetroitconnection #makehiphopgreatagain #nevergiveup
#keptitmorethanreal #clawandscramble #feastandravage
#dundasryda4life
