Botany Hill

Producer and rapper, Botany Hill is to hip-hop as Bobby Brown is to Whitney Houston. The love affair between the two has spanned decades, yet it has not been without its ups and downs, bitter breakups and turmoil. In 2008, however, the relationship has been rekindled between the veteran of Toronto, Canada's hip-hop scene and the once sacred artform with an unapologetic vengeance.

Botany Hill and hip-hop practically grew up together as best friends. A fanatic of the early 90's movement, Hill was most heavily influenced by the likes of KRS-One, Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest and Common. This fact was made evident in the relentless raps he would deliver as a member of the group MVP (along with Monolith's Wio-K).

While inspired to devote attention to mastering his craft as a poet, Botany Hill's relationship with hip-hop is multifaceted. In addition to being a fierce emcee, Botany Hill is a tireless beatmaker. “When I first saw the photos for Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's The Main Ingredient album, I knew I wanted to be a producer,” says Hill, “Seeing those countless crates of records and Pete's samplers and drum machines made me realize that I had to reach that level of dedication and skill”.

As the 90's came to a close, however, the artistry of hip-hop music-making, so revered by Hill was noticeably dwindling. “These days, hip-hop has become all business,” says Hill, “It's no longer all about the love of the music and the art. Whatever is radio friendly is what gets over now. Thought provoking lyrics are pushed to the wayside nowadays, but I'm here to marry both areas of thought.”

Botany Hill's debut album, The Road, is unabashed proof of Hill's ability to find a balance between meeting the needs of the modern day music fan and keeping his artistic credibility in tact. Set for release in the summer of 2010 on Hill's own label, One Way Music, The Road is bound to fuse that early 90's vibe with the soundscape of the post-millenium era.