GENERAL

Artist Information

Biography

ATTENTION!!!

GENERAL – hip hop artist and business man.

This artist commands your attention. Hailing from the streets of Scarborough, GENERAL absorbed and thrived in his urban atmosphere taking control of his own destiny. Although conditions with his family and peers were often chaotic, GENERAL’s tenacious mindset kept him focused and deterred from being swallowed up by the concrete streets. Instead GENERAL’s inquisitive mind journeyed into pursuing the art form of music.

He found his first love in hip hop. Getting inspiration from artists such as LL Cool J, EPMD, Ice T, KRS-ONE, NWA, Intelligent Hoodlum (Tragedy Khadafi), Heavy D, RUN DMC, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, GENERAL started out freestyling with peers in the school yard at the age of nine.

Deciding to pursue a true music career in 1995, the name GENERAL was a logical title to illustrate his persona: a born leader, strong willed, courageous, dedicated and empathetic.

“If you want to know me, just listen to my songs”, GENERAL reflects. GENERAL’s repertoire speaks on topics including his youth, growing up with his mother, the streets, politics and the love he has for women. Filled with sincere, passionate and prolific lyrics GENERAL was recognized for his songwriting talent as a finalist in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition.

GENERAL received his highest accolades to date when he released his underground hit single “Look Around” in 2003 which was played by DJ Premier in New York on Power 105.5 FM and on Future Flavas. His second hit track was HEY featuring Lindo P in 2005 / 2006 which received over 400 spins in 6 months on FLOW 93.5 FM reaching the top 3 of their Top 8 at 8 countdown. You can see the independently funded video on Much Music.

In 2008, GENERAL released the single Black Spaceship – the first single from the album “Long Time Coming”. The video is in rotation on Much Music.

With a focus on artistry and his record label Born Hungry Enterprises, GENERAL will be a force to be reckoned with in 2009 and beyond...

Salute!

Instrumentation

GENERAL - songwriter, lyricist, performer

Discography

ALBUMS

2009 - September LONG TIME COMING
2006 - "Signed, Sealed & Delivered" 1000 units
2004 – “DO 4 SELF – THE ALBUM” 450 units
2003 – “DO 4 SELF – EP” (vinyl) 300 promo
2002 – “Act Like Ya Want it” 200 units
2000 – “Starving Artist” 76 units

VIDEO

2005 - "HEY" Featuring Lindo P (Much Music)
2008 - "Black Spaceship"

SINGLES

2008 - "Black Spaceship Remix" ft. Bishop, Famous, Wio K and Peter Jackson
2008 - "Black Spaceship"
2006 - "GENERAL's Jewelz"
2005 - "Hey" featuring Lindo P
2005 – “Tha Block” with Jermain Maxwell and Marcus Kane (FLOW 93.5 FM)
2004 – “Come On” featuring Faith Walker (FLOW 93.5 FM, 91.5 FM THE BEAT)
2003 – “Don’t Tell” featuring Toya Alexis
2003 – “Look Around” (DJ Premier, Power 105.5 FM New York, www.futureflavasonline.com)
2003 – “Favourite Girls”
2002 – “Luv me or Leave Me” (FLOW 93.5 FM)
2000 – “Scarborough Blizzard”

Audio

• Runaway Slave Remix ft. Jordan Croucher
  Listen  
• BLIND SPOT - lead single
  Listen  
• BLACK SPACESHIP - CLEAN
  Listen  
• PUBLIC PARTY
  Listen  
• HEY featuring Lindo P
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Runaway Slave

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• FEATURED ARTIST - GENERAL [+ Show ]
  

  In a game full of soldiers GENERAL emerges as the one in charge. His name is larger than life and he...In a game full of soldiers GENERAL emerges as the one in charge. His name is larger than life and he emphasizes the importance of being confident; having the right attitude for success. My name is more than just a word,” He said. “It’s bigger than that. It has more emphasizes than just a name.” Growing up, this Scarborough native was often challenged by circumstances around him but he did not stray and remained on the right path. He found music as a savior for many of the troubles in his neighborhood and admits it always played a big part in his life. “My mom played records at home all the time and my dad would make me listen to the classics; The Manhattans, Bob Marley, Lionel Ritchie,” he said. “But my biggest influence was the hip-hop my brother brought with him from Jamaica.” At the age of 10, his older brother came to visit with hip-hop from the rock and he fell in love with the music from the islands. It was at this age when he realized what he wanted in life but knew he needed to do more than just free-style.
  
  After surviving years of free-style battles in the school yards GENERAL soon developed a good understanding of what the music business in Canada had to offer those within the urban scene. He soon learned the music business is more ruthless than anything witnessed prior in his life. “I learned more about life in this business that I did in school,” he said. “You learn not to take things personally; be professional, be patient and you will persevere.
  “You got to have a street mentality – look out for your best interests.” While many at a young age enter the business expecting spins and success after months of being in the game, GENERAL took what he learned and did what many forget to do: adapt. He continued his education alongside educating himself in the business of the Canadian music industry. GENERAL felt it necessary to allow his music to have more than just street creditability since most the Canadian industry are looking for more than street smarts.“I like hip-hop and I can relate to you if you do too,” he said. “But my music is based on authentication not fabrication so I [felt] it was important to be hitting at you from all angles.”
  Successfully graduating with an honours degree in criminology, GENERAL turned to his original love of music. His resume speaks for itself and is extensive; a finalist in International Song Writing Competition, finalist of FLOW 93.5FM’s Soul Search, music video on Much Music, and part of DJ Premiere’s rotation on Power 105.5FM. Ask GENERAL what drives him and he will let you know with no hesitation it is the determination to succeed. “Everything starts at the bottom so you have nowhere to go but up,” he said. “2009 will be the year for Toronto artists and it will start with me – don’t come weak; come hungry.” GENERAL has survived through the storm and his new album, Long Time Coming, produced by Eternity Music and T Boogie is scheduled for release in the fall of 2008 is a tribute to the struggle: internal and external; individual and societal.
  For more information on GENERAL be sure to check out www.myspace.com/bornhungry4life and www.bornhungry.net
  
  Article by Peter ES . Email Peter
  

• GENERAL's lead single BLIND SPOT featured on The Score during the NCAA March Madness Final 4 Highlights
  

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CB2V5sJtlc

Setlist

Set list depends on the amount of time given. GENERAL will perform anywhere between 3 and 10 songs per performance which is 15 to 35 minutes.

Typical songs are:
Intro
Blind Spot
Black Spaceship
HEY
I Don't Really...
GENERAL's Jewelz
BLACK SPACESHIP
Never let me Down
LOOK AROUND


GENERAL's sets vary depending on his audience. He has done many benefit performances as well as shows for children. Due to GENERAL's diversity he delivers a positive message through his songs at these events.

Basic Requirements

Calendar