This week, hip-hop turned 50, and as artists across North America and abroad celebrate the decades of work it took to define and redefine the genre, a younger generation is reflecting on its own progress.
A wide range of successful Canadian DJs, MCs, artists and dancers have paved the way for aspiring musicians to follow in their footsteps, but for many of these up-and-comers the path they’re taking looks a little different.
CBC News spoke with four emerging artists who are navigating this competitive industry and creating their own sounds to inspire future generations.
Canada’s hip-hop market
While Canada has produced some of the biggest names in hip-hop,
