To complete the mainstage lineup at the TD Mainstage, Bessborough Gardens the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is pleased to announce Arrested Development and Talib Kweli to co-headline on Saturday, July 1st. The big name hip hop artists will be joined by local opener Parab Poet and Hip Hop Hippies, Kay the Aquanaut and Factor Chandelier.
“There is no denying the profound influence jazz music has had on hip hop and we are thrilled to announce the final mainstage show featuring these local and international artists,” said Artistic Director, Kevin Tobin. “From Arrested Development whose landmark album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of is celebrating its 25th anniversary release to original co-founder of the seminal hip hop group Blackstar, Talib Kweli, and a collection of the who’s who of the Saskatoon hip hop scene the final show on the mainstage is a fitting encore to a jam packed week of incredible music."
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online on the Festival website, at the Box Office located on the 7th Floor of the Bessborough Hotel or by phone 306.652.6200. For ticket buyers that have already purchased the 'Build Your Experience' Bundle and would like to add this show to their package please contact the Box Office directly.
ABOUT ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
It’s been twenty years since the group called Arrested Development slammed the gangsta dominated world of hip hop with defiant lyrics of hope. Apparently, the world was ready for the change as AD became the first ever hip-hop group to receive the “best new artist” Grammy, (a distinction it still maintains today in that category). In addition, the group also received a Grammy award for “best rap single” for their anthemic prayer-like hit song, Tennessee. Money came in but not for precious stones and big cars. Instead, these pioneers of the conscious rap game took one big step for mankind by giving back and becoming the first African American artists to donate money to Nelson Mandela and the ANC. They used their voices and their status to the benefit of many underprivileged brothers and sisters around the world.
With the success of the single, Mr Wendal, Arrested Development brought the issue of homelessness to the forefront. The group donated half of the royalty earnings from Mr Wendal to the National Coalition of the Homeless. Awards, chart success and accolades continued to follow. One of the highlights was being asked to write a song for Spike Lee’s movie about minister and human rights activist, Malcom X. The movie, X, went on to become one of Spike Lee’s most highly acclaimed works. The Arrested Development song, Revolution, would forever be associated with one of the most important movies in black culture. Eighteen years later, the response that comes whenever the group performs this song is inspiring.
Their shows are a celebration of life. Experiencing an Arrested Development concert is an uplifting and spiritual event wrapped into one big party.
ABOUT TALIB KWELI
The Brooklyn-based MC earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically-gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years.
“I’m a touring artist. I’m an artist that’s internationally known. I’m not just a local artist at this point in my career. I’m cognizant of the fact that what I do is beyond where it started. I’m trying to reach the apex of where I am now, but without turning my back on or dismissing what I’ve done before.”
After nearly 20 years of releasing mesmerizing music, Talib Kweli stands as one of the world’s most talented and most accomplished Hip Hop artists. Whether working with Mos Def as one-half of Black Star, partnering with producer Hi-Tek for Reflection Eternal, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, or Madlib, Kweli commands attention by delivering top-tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing the ability to rhyme over virtually any type of instrumental.
In 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, which is self-defined as “a platform for independent thinkers and doers.” Kweli has set out to make Javotti Media (which released his 2011 album, Gutter Rainbows, and is named after his paternal grandmother) into a media powerhouse that releases music, films and books.
ABOUT PARAB POET AND HIP HOP HIPPIES
An unconventional combination of instrumentation. World drumming meets hip hop. Jazz meets marching band. Classical meets folk. Parab Poet and the hip hop Hippies embody this vibration. This collective has been creating quite a buzz these last few years. From touring Western Canada to playing many shows in their home province, they have gained supportive followers both far and wide. They have shared the stage with acts like Michael Franti and Spearhead, Delhi to Dublin and Abstract Rude. The group‘s diverse and energetic sound has captivated audiences in both intimate venues as well as festival stages.
ABOUT KAY THE AQUANAUT & FACTOR CHANDELIER
Kay the Aquanaut is one of the most successful and hard working independent musician’s within the Canadian hip hop genre. He has released six solo albums, one album as a member of the group Metropolis Now, and over a hundred songs in the last decade. From his previous releases Spinning Blue Planet and Nickelodeon Ethics, Kay has been able to tour across Europe, South East Asia, and Canada and gain a very loyal fan base along the way.
Starting out as a DJ in 1998, Factor Chandelier has evolved into one of Western Canada’s busiest producers. He is continuously working and touring with high caliber Canadian and American artists including: Awol One, Open Mike Eagle, Moka Only, Myka 9, Ceschi, Sole, Aesop Rock, Buck65, Gregory Pepper, Astronautalis, Sunspot Jonz, Evil Ebenezer, Merkules, Xzibit, Kool Keith, Def 3, Kay the Aquanaut and the Side Road Crew. He is known for continuously dropping top-notch product out of Saskatoon since the late ‘90s. He is the founder, owner and operator of Side Road Records (2001), releasing over 30 professional albums between Side Road & Fake Four Inc. Factor's music has garnered international distribution and he has received positive critical acclaim by way of magazine and website reviews, as well as, receiving radio play on college/community radio all over Canada, the US and Japan. His collaborative album "Wildlif3" with Def 3 won the WCMA for best hip hop recording in 2015.
Together, Kay the Aquanaut and Factor Chandelier are Saskatoon's premier hip hop duo, representing the prairies for almost 20 years. Releasing their best working to date June. 9th 2017 on respected indy label Fake Four Inc. titled 7 Vessels. The emcee / producer team have a high energy and engaging performance with a modern rap edge, all while staying true to their prairie roots. They have toured solo and together across Canada, Europe, US and Asia rocking shows with their experimental yet catchy sound.
'MARQUEE EVENT OF THE YEAR' AWARD WIN AT TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
The festival was pleased to receive the 'Marquee Event of the Year' award at the Tourism Saskatchewan Awards of Excellence Gala held on Wednesday, April 5th. The gala was held at the Sheraton Cavalier, a valued hotel partner where the award was presented by CTV Saskatoon.
Festival organizers would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Tourism Saskatchewan for the award honour, to our long-time title sponsor, SaskTel, for their continued support, our 450+ volunteer force, and the incredibly talented touring and local musicians we've had the privilege of presenting each year.
For more info on the entire festival and to grab tickets: CLICK HERE
