Kardinal Offishall

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Kardinal Offishall (born Jason Harrow on May 21, 1976 in Scarborough, Ontario) is a Canadian hip-hop MC and producer of Jamaican descent.Kardinal is often viewed as “Canada’s hip-hop ambassador”, and along with MC’s such as Saukrates and Maestro Fresh Wes, he’s arguably the most popular. Kardinal blends soul, dancehall, reggae and hip-hop to create a truly unique sound.

Kardinal started rapping at the age of eight, and was winning competitions by the time he was 12. Also at the age of 12, Kardinal performed live and on stage for the first time, with Nelson Mandela in attendance during his first visit to Toronto.[2] By 1993, he decided to drop his alias “KoolAid”, and went by the moniker Kardinal Offishall after being inspired by the great 17th century French politician Cardinal Richelieu.

Kardinal was signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada at the age of 20. In 1996, he released his first single “Naughty Dread”, which was featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One compilation and earned him a Juno Award nomination for Best Rap Recording. In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album Eye & I on Capitol Hill Music. The only single from the album, “On Wit Da Show”, had considerable video play on MuchMusic. Kardinal was also credited as a major contributor to the late 90’s renaissance of Canadian hip hop. In 1998, he was featured on the Juno-winning single “Northern Touch” with the Rascalz, Choclair, Checkmate and Thrust.
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Popular tags: hip-hop, rap, hip hop, canadian, toronto  See more

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  • eciujnahtan

    set it off

    September 2011
  • Walentinooooooo

    underrated( Not For Sale is fuckin AWESOME

    August 2011
  • airplaness

    August 2011
  • laameer

    Smash this club!

    April 2011
  • Sveniii

    Nina <3

    April 2011
  • Valentinooooooo

    Last album (2008) is awesome

    April 2011
  • airplaness

    Lighter . <3

    January 2011
  • ShakiFanatic

    Dangerous ♥

    January 2011
  • juliendu48

    Merry Christmas :D

    December 2010
  • SashaPrestig

    so so!

    December 2010
  • Deevanie

    Hometown hero Kardinal Offishal has done it for the city of TORONTO. Thank You! Listen to the anthem on THE HOOK:http://blog.thehook.ca/2010/11/music-kardinal-toronto-anthem.html

    November 2010
  • Pipp09

    Body Bounce <3

    September 2010
  • TinoJorge

    DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    September 2010
  • moh2a

    who said that "canadian hip-hop ambassador" stuff ? that must be a joke :D have a look at those Battle Axe dudes (swollen members, sweatshop union...) and you'll see how great and powerful Canada really is when it comes to hip-hop. how can an artist be similar to Rascalz and Flo'rida at the same time ? come on !!!

    June 2010
  • Ras_Ratek

    He needs to start rapping like Fire & Glory again. [4] Fuck that Konvict record deal.

    May 2010
  • anonnamiss

    He needs to start rapping like Fire & Glory again. [3] This. He's too gimmicky now. But I guess that gets sales, so..meh.

    April 2010
  • jeanmichelgarie

    He needs to start rapping like Fire & Glory again. [2]

    April 2010
  • PWNdestroyPWN

    Body Bounce is decent. He needs to start rapping like Fire & Glory again. Not 4 Sale was mediocre, whereas his old shit's a lot better.

    April 2010
  • Golub1992

    I love Body Bounce! It's catchy, hot and cool.

    April 2010
  • Adrianuxxx

    body bounce is an average, generic song that is definitely gonna get played out this summer [2] Bloody yes.

    April 2010
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