Fin-S
Pickering, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
Colin Paul, known as Fin-S, finds peace in music and seeks refuge in hip hop.
Street violence is no stranger to the hip hop producer and artist, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Los Angeles, Atlanta and other U.S. cities, seeing young people falling into the trap of guns and vengeance.
Yesterday, in front of a monument for black Loyalists who fought for Canada against the U.S. in the War of 1812, Paul and about 20 local hip hop artists and their supporters declared a war against street violence. They plan to reach out to young people with music about the importance of solving differences in peace, and are working together to write music for a CD on that theme.
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- The Toronto Star
I'll start off this feature with this…Fin-S has 'IT'. You know the 'it' quality that everyone talks about, he's got that. Not many dudes in this business are as serious as this cat right here. You've probably heard his new track 'I Love You' on radio or seen the video blazin' Much and Muchvibe, but you're probably unaware of how long you've known this guy. Music started quite simply for Fin-S learning music from his father, a musician who played rhythm guitar for the likes of Bob Marley and the Temptations, and progressed to breaking down his pops record collection at an early age. That in turn became his motivation to take his first step in the music biz, DJing. He was a part of the scene and that was all good, but as soon as he touched the MPC, he began his morph into what he is today.
His first big break came in 1999 when Toronto's Citizen Kane stepped to Fin-S and asked that he produce their up-coming project (which came to be Deliverance). The album did well independently, but really earned its stripes when it was nominated for a Juno as 'Best Rap Album'. Handling the boards on such a large project was something that really taught him about the industry. "I learned a lot from the Citizen Kane album", he says, "In all, I saw the good, the bad, and the very bad, but I knew that this was just a small step from where I wanted to be".
After Deliverance Fin-S just picked up the ball and ran with it. His love for making beats was now going to have a smooth, new voice to bring out their splendor…his. Why pick up the mic and take a shot on a yet unproven skill? "There are too many artists who just put words together that rhyme, but most of them don't have a point to make. Whatever I say, there is a message". Taking some time out to make sure all his ducks were in a row, Fin-S hit us up last year with Dedicated, featuring the oft-slept on Darryl Riley crooning the hook. The track, which got burn up in the T dot, cracking Flow 93.5 top 50 for 2001, also had a video was well received around the country. That track helped him get his name to the masses, but it would prove to have opened an even bigger door that he couldn't yet see.
While getting prepared for release of his most recent single, the beautifully written I Love You, Fin-S went into 'Nuff Entertainment looking for his distribution; he ended finding his new home. 'Nuff, known for breaking basically every good reggae song in this country, when reggae meant Bob Marley to Canadians, was spreading its urban wings, and Fin-S was their man. He has been putting some serious work over the last few months putting a two-disc compilation for 'Nuff that will showcase the hottest emcee's in Canada. "It's going to change the urban scene in this country", says Fin-S,'Nuff's urban A&R "All you urban artists that feel your getting slept on, holla at 'Nuff"(you heard it here first, www.nuff-ent.com, (416) 691-4546, or hit up info@nuff-ent.com for more info!).
With so many things on the go for this young entrepreneur, it was only a matter of time before he put his skills into his own money machine; that is why he has started Naijah Entertainment. The company, named after his daughter, is "reflective of my new commitment to building up a strong family of local talent who have worked with me throughout my career." Naijah has numerous talent with temperatures above 98.6, but when the company drops its first Naijah compilation album on 'Nuff listen up to Lyric and Isem. Both these dudes jump right out at you and you can't help but dig the steez. Naijah's resident beat makers consist of Y-Not, Giggz, MEYO, and Fin-S himself, among others. Fin-S notes, "Being a music producer before an Emcee, I have the ear to know what sounds hot." When talking to MEYO he says "I'm about setting new standards for Hip-Hop not only in Canada, but worldwide".
Didn't I tell you I had the hottest dudes in the T dot? Fin-S and Naijah Entertainment are at the forefront of 'ready-to-blow' status in the city. When closing up with this usually very humble dude he had one last thing to say, "It's time to let everyone know who is Canada's best kept secret!" I hope that I just let the cat outta the bag.
I'll start off this feature with this…Fin-S has 'IT'. You know the 'it' quality that everyone talks about, he's got that. Not many dudes in this business are as serious as this cat right here. You've probably heard his new track 'I Love You' on radio or seen the video blazin' Much and Muchvibe, but you're probably unaware of how long you've known this guy. Music started quite simply for Fin-S learning music from his father, a musician who played rhythm guitar for the likes of Bob Marley and the Temptations, and progressed to breaking down his pops record collection at an early age. That in turn became his motivation to take his first step in the music biz, DJing. He was a part of the scene and that was all good, but as soon as he touched the MPC, he began his morph into what he is today.
His first big break came in 1999 when Toronto's Citizen Kane stepped to Fin-S and asked that he produce their up-coming project (which came to be Deliverance). The album did well independently, but really earned its stripes when it was nominated for a Juno as 'Best Rap Album'. Handling the boards on such a large project was something that really taught him about the industry. "I learned a lot from the Citizen Kane album", he says, "In all, I saw the good, the bad, and the very bad, but I knew that this was just a small step from where I wanted to be".
After Deliverance Fin-S just picked up the ball and ran with it. His love for making beats was now going to have a smooth, new voice to bring out their splendor…his. Why pick up the mic and take a shot on a yet unproven skill? "There are too many artists who just put words together that rhyme, but most of them don't have a point to make. Whatever I say, there is a message". Taking some time out to make sure all his ducks were in a row, Fin-S hit us up last year with Dedicated, featuring the oft-slept on Darryl Riley crooning the hook. The track, which got burn up in the T dot, cracking Flow 93.5 top 50 for 2001, also had a video was well received around the country. That track helped him get his name to the masses, but it would prove to have opened an even bigger door that he couldn't yet see.
While getting prepared for release of his most recent single, the beautifully written I Love You, Fin-S went into 'Nuff Entertainment looking for his distribution; he ended finding his new home. 'Nuff, known for breaking basically every good reggae song in this country, when reggae meant Bob Marley to Canadians, was spreading its urban wings, and Fin-S was their man. He has been putting some serious work over the last few months putting a two-disc compilation for 'Nuff that will showcase the hottest emcee's in Canada. "It's going to change the urban scene in this country", says Fin-S,'Nuff's urban A&R "All you urban artists that feel your getting slept on, holla at 'Nuff"(you heard it here first, www.nuff-ent.com, (905) 944-019, or hit up info@nuff-ent.com for more info!).
With so many things on the go for this young entrepreneur, it was only a matter of time before he put his skills into his own money machine; that is why he has started Naijah Entertainment. The company, named after his daughter, is "reflective of my new commitment to building up a strong family of local talent who have worked with me throughout my career." Naijah has numerous talent with temperatures above 98.6, but when the company drops its first Naijah compilation album on 'Nuff listen up to Lyric and Isem. Both these dudes jump right out at you and you can't help but dig the steez. Naijah's resident beat makers consist of Y-Not, Giggz, MEYO, and Fin-S himself, among others. Fin-S notes, "Being a music producer before an Emcee, I have the ear to know what sounds hot." When talking to MEYO he says "I'm about setting new standards for Hip-Hop not only in Canada, but worldwide".
Didn't I tell you I had the hottest dudes in the T dot? Fin-S and Naijah Entertainment are at the forefront of 'ready-to-blow' status in the city. When closing up with this usually very humble dude he had one last thing to say, "It's time to let everyone know who is Canada's best kept secret!" I hope that I just let the cat outta the bag.
- HipHopCanada.com
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- EurWeb.com
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- Your Time Magazine
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- NOW Magazine
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http://www.fevermagazine.com/a/interview/2009/09/04/fin-s-not-just-average-emcee-game
- FEVER Magazine (Atlanta)
Discography
- "Watch Yo' Girl" Featuring Platinum Recording Artists SNOOP DOGG and PHARRELL
- "Keep Your Head Up" Featuring Rapper/Actor MOS DEF
- "Brand New" Featuring The Legendary KOOL G RAP, Sha Stimuli and Darryl Riley
- "Movin' On Up" Featuring N.O.R.E (from Capone N Norega)
- "Puddy Cat" Featuring ATL's Block Ent/Bad Boy South Super Producer LUNEY TUNEZ
- "Gangstas Need Love" Production for Mission Holiday Featuring Munga Honerable
- "So Many Faces" Produced by Travon Johnson for Caliseeum Productions/Doggy Style Recrods
- "I Love You", one of the first songs played on Canada's first commercial urban radio station (FLOW 93.5FM)
Photos
Bio
Having that touch has always been known to be a good thing... FIN-S'n it is even better... Hip Hop's Best Kept Secret...
When you combine the extraordinary talents and musical incline of a young gentleman who was blessed into a family of phenomenal musical proportions, Musical Genius is birthed into existence. Such is the story of Canada's Best kept secret. Known to his family as Colin James Paul, he is more so commonly known to his adoring fans as the hip hop phenom, FIN-S.
FIN-S is not just another rapper, he's not just another artist, he is the EPITOME of all that a great musician exemplifies. Following in the footsteps of his father who in his own right, is a well respected and admired musician. Having played rhythm guitar for the likes of well noted musicians such as Bob Marley, The Temptations and many other world famous recording acts during the 70's era, when music began to change its form and shape and transition itself into what is now a billion dollar industry, and is responsible for creating and establishing a lifestyle and culture all its own. It's no wonder that FIN-S, just like his father, and his cousin Gavin Wray (husband of Cheryl "Salt" James/Salt N Pepa), would be inspired to explore his musical genius just the same, and in doing so would discover that he too had the gift of music, and would soon find himself embarking upon a career as not just an artist, but as a musical genius.
With the gift of music in his blood, young FIN-S began exploring many avenues in music. First he would begin to DJ and began playing at local parties and clubs throughout his city. He eventually began utilizing his skills across the country, allowing people all over the world to witness the DJ FIN-S experience. Not one to limit himself, and being fascinated with the sounds bursting through his turntables, FIN-S would soon begin to experiment with music on another level and find himself in the studio producing in a way that he never expected. FIN-S's incredible skills as a producer would be making its way into the Canadian Hip Hop scene and would win him praises from some of the most well known and respected music critics.
Working on the "Deliverance" album for a well known hip hop duo named Citizen Kane, received praises and accolades from all over, including a JUNO AWARD nomination for Best Hip Hop Album. "I gained a lot from working on that project, from working in the most elaborate of studios, the video shoots, the live stage shows, and even the appearance I made in the HBO Special Raising Kane... It was an amazing and life changing experience. In all I had a chance to experience the good and the very bad (lol)... However, I knew that this was just a small step that would lead me to where I wanted to be. You can only control but so much working behind the scenes and expressing yourself through the beats. It was time for me to speak my piece and gain the confidence to live out MY DESTINY"
FIN-S would manifest intrigue into reality and thus begin his journey into what his TRUE CALLING is, the ability to express himself lyrically. Utilizing his very own self made customized beats, the same of which gained him so much notoriety, FIN-S would spend countless hours in the studio working on production and finding the essence of his true character as an artist/MC.
With a smooth melodic baritone flow, FIN-S gives the listener direct access, with a one way ticket into his world. A world of love, struggle, knowledge, money, and wisdom.
Having songs with the likes of SNOOP DOGG, PHARELL, KOOL G RAP, N.O.R.E, MOS DEF, LUNEY TUNEZ, SHA STIMULI, and a host of others, there's no denying the destiny of this musical genius. The intriguing story of FIN-S has been featured in many publications, both print and online, and on many radio/television stations throughout the country.
Remembering where he came from, and always having a desire to be a positive example to youth everywhere and especially back home, the hip hop genius is an advocate on speaking out against violence in the community. He has been a featured keynote speaker at several conferences across the globe, inspiring people of all backgrounds to a level of motivation and encouragement that forever changes the course of their lives.
What more can be said of such a magnificent musical phenom. When asked about taking his place in music history FIN-S had this to say: "You'll only hear FIN-S blaze the hottest music, I'm about to redefine the standard in Hip Hop, not just locally, but WORLD WIDE... Everything I do is dedicated to my mother Lauverne Philadelphia, who left this world when I was very young, and to my daughter Naijah. I know how precious life is, and I'm just doing what it takes to ensure my family stays strong. My production company, Naijah Entertainment, and my partnership in Black Pearl Entertainment is reflective of my new commitment to creating a strong family of loyal and talented artist's".
Spoken like that of a musical genius
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