Cash Crop

by Jon AzpiriThe Vancouver quintet pride themselves on their dedication to all elements of hip-hop while mixing Caribbean and rock influences, and Cash Crop shows the group at its best. The highlight of the album is "Northern Touch," a pounding hip-hop track that has become the unofficial anthem of Canadian hip-hop. The track features Canadian rappers Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust, and Checkmate rapping over the same B.T. Express sample that fueled DMX's hit single "Get at Me Dog." Many of the other tracks reflect the group's Caribbean heritage, including the fluid reggae track "Dreaded Fist" and the heavy funk of "FitnRedi." On "Solitaire," the producer uses a haunting strings sample and pounding bass to offset the lyrical dexterity of MCs Red 1 and Misfit. Guided by the steady hand of the group's DJ Kemo, Cash Crop is album that lets everyone know that Canadian hip-hop is a force to be reckoned with.