The Mavericks Team

While Barack Obama and John Mccain campaign for the coveted position of President of the United States of America another election is going on. Since entering into the digital era hip-hop has been the hardest hit music genre by piracy. As more and more sites become available that make music downloadable less and less consumers are buying hip-hop music. Is this a reflection of the age bracket of hip-hop’s consumers? The quality of hip-hop being created? Or a general lack of interest for music consumption via traditional outlets?

Likening the music industry to a presidential election, the Mavericks ask that you “vote with your dollars” as they introduce you to some of the new candidates that have been entered into the running for your votes. Through a barrage of charisma, wit, and swagger, each MC shows you the reason why their music is worth your support.

Who are the Mavericks? Much like Obama, the Mavericks are relatively unknown contestants to their respective electoral collegiate. But if refreshing ideas and the belief of change can help win people over for Obama, there is a good chance it will help the Mavericks.

Most will be familiar with Politic Live – the first group to come off the Music for Mavericks recording label. Politic Live 2006 sophomore release Adaptation charted on both sides of the boarder, received spins over seas, and impressed many music journalists. With its chart activity, airplay and acclaim Politic Live’s Adaptation has opened the door for Politic Live to help introduce their label mates. With this 12-track album, the music world will get a look into what is to come from Music For Mavericks Entertainment.

For those familiar with the Music For Mavericks catalogue, the artists that appear on Election Year will sound familiar. However, unlike the previous releases that showcased Politic Live and Proveli Paragon and featured their label mates, Election Year aims to showcase everyone. As the album’s Executive Producer, Dirt Gritie commissioned his label mates to create a compilation that would show the label’s evolution.

Election Year finds Toronto transplant Shaw (Restless/Kingsway) on the boards producing the score for the first ever Music For Maverick’s compilation. The multi-instrumentalist also flexes his chops as an MC with appearances on three out of the nine songs and is also responsible for mixing the entire album.

While Election Year is chalked full of lyric braggadocio, there are glimpses into sincerity all throughout the album. On “Sometimes You Make Me Smile”, Dirt Gritie performs an ode to his son that shows a softer side. The honesty of the track leaves Gritie with no reason to be ashamed of the affection he shows for his son.

On “Sun On My Shoulder” listeners can take a breather and relax, literally. On this track Dirt Gritie who sounds quite high, but flows effortless like a young Snoop Doggy Dogg, talks about the harmlessness of weed, while pointing out the dangers of chemical-based drugs. Making his sole appearance on the album, Oozeela reps his Dominican slang while speaking on the corruption of narcotics and the government that “nah gone legalize it cause them want exploit it”. Yet another commonality with US Presidents.

With or without sales in the multi-millions hip-hop is alive and the Mavericks make that clear on “Hip-Hop Will Never Die”. Stepping out from the shadows Sly Slivers rhymes passionately about his love with hip-hop claiming, “I’m a die before Hip-Hop does”. Taking things further Sly talks on the unwarranted presence of Police Gang Units at hip-hop events in Edmonton.

Much like the US election that many are consumed with, the race for votes in Hip-Hop will introduce us to new ideologies and hope for change. With Election Year listeners can reminded of when Hip-Hop was worth supporting. 2008 is the year of the Mavericks... so vote with your dollars.