EP - 1997 - Treehouse Records
For those who don't know that 12", It's a must have !!! The Epic EP is the second record released by the legendary Canadian group Citizen Kane (Jeff Duke a.k.a. Swinger Spade a.k.a J-Spade, Rob Paris a.k.a. Blye and manager Adrian Perry a.k.a. Aje.) from the Scarborough projects, Toronto.
In 1996, they dropped their debut singles "Structure / Foundation (What's the Plan)" which also featured on the classic various artists compilation "BeatFactory's Rap Essentials Volume 1" released the same year. One year later, the group will be back with the Epic EP, a 6-Track EP (5 songs + 1 instrumental) on Treehouse Records, an independent record label owned and managed by Nick Holder.
In the Back : Citizen Kane & Nick Holder - Photo courtesy of Behind The Music Tales
The productions were handled by K-Cut of Main Source for the tracks "Raisin' Kane" and "Lost Angels", and by ERF Productions (Wall & Steel a.k.a The Twins) for the tracks "Elements Of Mind" (Black Rain Remix), "The Gambler" and "Reality N' Facts". Here is what was written on the official promo sheet at the time :
CITIZEN KANE
A citizen is an individual who strives to live a meaningful, and honest life in society. The name Kane is taken from the biblical name Caine, the son of Adam, the first child of sin. Citizen Kane symbolizes the constant struggle that exists within each one of us.
The three elements that comprise Citizen Kane; Spade, "the method", Blye, "the madness", and Aje, "the reality", are all old school students with a new school philosophy. "We bring a knowledge of self while maintaining a level of realness in our music", Aje says.
The trio have been members of the Toronto hip-hop scene over the last ten years, and have quickly emerged as one of the leading rap groups in Canada. Since 1995, with the release of "Soul Survivor" on the Zulu Nation compilation, It's All Good, Citizen Kane continue to solidify their foundation.
Whether it be their 1996 release, "Structure / Foundation", featured on Beatfactory's RapEssentials Volume 1, or their indie single, "Black Rain", which was released earlier in '97. Citizen Kane consistently enlighten, motivate and inspire through their unrivaled, underground sound.
Now, Citizen Kane is poised to release their EP, The Epic. Five new joints displaying their, growth, maturity and insightful musical approach. From ill scenarios like " The Gambler", or trials and tribulations on tracks like "Lost Angels", to the bangin' underground joint "Reality and Facts", the Epic gives a well rounded perspective into their hip-hop world.
Much like the film "Citizen Kane", which was deemed a movie well ahead of it's time, and still revered as an epic to this day, Citizen Kane plan to leave a similar impression on the rap world as well.
Treehouse Records
113 Ponymeadow Terrace, Scarborough , Ontario, Canada
tel : (416) 287 3073
After the EP was dropped, the group was nominated for a Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. Nowadays, a physical copy of this EP stays very hard to find, and if you're enough lucky to find it for sale it will cost you an arm and a leg ... but keep on diggin' !!!
