CKUT Music Department

Compiled in this sound reel are a handful of the most memorable Hip-Hop shows to grace the CKUT airwaves. It celebrates the talents of DJs, musicians and lyricists whose output shaped a sound peculiar to the cultural crossroads of Montreal. As the 90s brought to light the transmissive capabilities of campus and community radio, supplying the only substantial airplay for rap music  in North America, CKUT’s role in Hip-Hop’s formation within Montreal  is comparable to media legacies emerging from college campuses  south of the border, such as Stretch and Bobbito show on 89.9 WKCR-FM (Columbia) and The Source Magazine (Harvard). As well as being a stop off for major American acts touring Canada, CKUT’s studios were the epicenter of experimentation, where the multilingualism endemic to Quebec met influences from the Haitian diaspora. Collectives more openly fused cultures, spitting franglais lyrics that brought together white and black youth through harnessing the accessibility of the FM signal. This culture of openness extended across both age and gender, offering opportunities for young female rappers looking for a start in a male dominated field. As Skandal - known for her part on Rainmen’s ‘Pas D’chilling’- describes in her interview with DJ Pro V on All Da Way Live, every artist and vocalist, big and small, contributed to this diverse scene, forming a ‘musical quilt’ where everyone played and had their part. Underground Hip Hop is still a big part of CKUT's programming and can be heard daily on the station.

CKUT was on hand to help with tech stuff at Cabot Square for a performance by Inuvialuit /Chipweyan artist Nina Segalowitz. Here are some words about Nina, written by The Cabot Square Project: Nina is an Inuvialuit /Chipweyan from Fort Smith, NWT. She is a proud mother of three and a multi-talented artist A 60s Scoop Survivor, Nina graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Human Sciences, a DEP in accounting and a DEP in Social Work. An accomplished throat singer, drummer and cellist, Nina has performed all over the world including recently an impromptu performance with musician Bobby McFerrin. She is presently part of the group Oktoecho directed by Katia Makdissi Warren. As well she sits on the Board of Directors for the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal, for the Legacy of Hope Foundation as well as for the National Indigenous Survivors of Child Welfare Network.

Pro-V, host of All Da Way Live Radio and DJ on Off The Hook Radio, interviews Budda Blaze, tour manager for A Tribe Called Red, music producer and host/DJ of Off The Hook Radio, beekeeper and podcaster (Oil and Flowers). Tons of hip hop history and musical evolution from being a metal kid to hip hop head. Great stories about hosting Off The Hook when it aired late night - 2am - 4am - and the rappers roll in 30-40 deep after the bars close.

A two hour discussion on the history of hip hop from early 80s to now. All Da Way Live Radio hosts Widget and Pro-V take advantage of this COVID lock down to interview Montreal OG Don Smooth (former host, producer of Street Sounds on K103 Radio).

CKUT journalist Mariam Salaymeh interviews the rap god LEGEND Tommy Wright III.

Former CKUT Station Manager Pat Dillon-Moore catches up with Jeremy, who is currently a lecturer (reggae in the digital age) at the University of West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. DJ Genius & The Prophet aired on CKUT early 90s. Two McGill students who DJ'd frat parties and then created a radio show and ruled the clubs with their blend of hip hop house and reggae. The Prophet aka Dave Welchsler, went on to be the Assistant Direct on Marvel Studios Neflix series as well other feature films. DJ Genius aka Jeremy Harding returned to Jamaica where he produced Beenie Man's Who Am I? (Sim Simma) Assassin, Something's Gotta Give, Mr. Vegas - Nike Air (Hands in the Air) and worked extensively with Sean Paul - just to drop a few names.

Tamayugé perform live on CKUT 90.3 fm radio show Chaud Pour Le Mont Stone – Collaboration with Tamara Filyavich (electronics) and Maya Kuroki (vocals). Show hosted by Francois Letourneau.

Montreal musicians Sam Shalabi and Alexander Moskos hosted the radio show If You Got Ears in the month of December 2015. They played a game of free association, here is a sample.

West Indian Rhythm's Howard 'Stretch' Carr and Faithlyn Sankar talk to Lady Saw about infidelity, infertility and staying strong. This was taken from the August 2015 live broadcast from the Montreal International Reggae Festival. Only CKUT can get interviews like this from renowned artists, it's like they are talking to family.

Cecilia MacArthur chats with The RZA, who was in town presenting a screening of his film "The Man With The Iron Fists". Bong bong.

Local avant-garde duo Les Momies de Palerme (Xarah Dion and Marie Davidson) reunited for a special live performance on CKUT's If You Got Ears in May 2013. On "Quebec," the pair create a synth soundscape that is somehow both calming and unsettling.

Montreal Reggae artist Sampaloo being interviewed by CKUT’s Skills Link Crew. Sampaloo talks about coming to Montreal from Jamaica, being an illegal immigrant and starting to get into music. Skills Link was a programme CKUT ran with the Cote Des Neige Black Community Center, empowering youth through media skills in April 2013. The radio show they hosted was called Speak Your Mind Radio.

The Infamous Rap Hour Half Hour has rappers dropping in the station or calling up to rap. Take a listen to this one featuring House Shoes on the phone and Penzo Gritty Stem, Logik Johnson, Mehdi Cee and Urban Logix in studio.

Howard "Stretch" Carr and Faithlyn Sankar interview the one and only Jimmy Cliff. They cover the inspiration behind The Harder They Come and Many Rivers to Cross, riots in Brixton, and his commitment to uplifting his audience.

Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars were in town to perform at Festival Nuits D'Afrique and dropped by Basabasa Soukous Soundz to perform live.

Manchilde, formerly of the hip hop group The Butta Babees and past host of Ill Groove Garden, swung by CKUT after opening for Mos Def.

This experimental rock duo stopped by CKUT's Montreal Sessions in June 2012 as part of the station's Suoni Per Il Popolo coverage. Maica Mia may not be together anymore, but their dark, slow-burning songs still resonate.

Isle of Pine (Tim Darcy of Ought's previous band) live performance on CKUT's Underground Sounds (Mondays 8pm - midnight). Produced by Caroline Dutka.

Blue Sunshine was a very small repertoire cinema that specialized in underground, trash and cult films.  Owned by David Bertrand and Kier-la Janisse, Blue Sunshine was Montreal's premier "Psychotronic Film Center". The theatre closed in 2012 - here is a tribute by Valmont of Jet Set Discoteque - aired on the radio show Beyond the Horizon.

Tonstartssbandht's Andy and Edwin White know their way around CKUT - Andy was the station's Music Librarian in 2010, and the two have performed on air many times over the years. In town for POP Montreal 2011, the brothers stopped by CKUT's If You Got Ears, treating listeners to a live rendition of their entrancing psychedelia.