CKUT Music Department CKUT 90.3fm Montreal

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.