Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Peter Jackson - 18 to Life

Now this is something that caught my attention right off the bat after reading the headline.  I don't usually talk about rap artists.  Not for any biased reason, I just generally don't care for the lyrical content that they offer (coughyouastupidhoecough).  I know that kind of sounds stereotypical (pun intended) to think all rap artists are the same, but here is a chance to redeem myself on this genre I have fallen out of touch with.

So going through the feeds I see a headline of "Skid Row's 18 to Life covered by rap artist".  Thinking very little of the effort thus far, I clicked play in what I assumed was going to be another over the top bass track with some Skid Row hooks in toll.  What I got was much more passionate, original and fresh.  Toronto based rap artist Peter Jackson really took the song to a whole new level and even had Canadian music artist Lukas Rossi provide the melodies for the track.  Here is the final product:



Peter Jackson is often referred to as “The hardest working rapper in Canada”.  Known for his intense work ethic both in the studio and on the road, Jackson has spent the last several years touring Canada. In November of 2008, Jackson took part in the “Never Say Never Tour” which included performances by D12, Royce da 5’9, Joe Budden & Classified. This inaugural tour was followed up with numerous cross country tours with artists including hip-hop legends Naughty By Nature. Subsequent tours in 2010 in support of his first album release, “In My Life”, included stops opening for Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse, Pharoahe Monch, Digable Planets. Jackson spent 2012 touring with, French Montana, Ghostface Killah, DBlock and Slaughterhouse. Jackson has also co-headlined  various shows alongside the likes of Akon, Snoop Dogg, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Kurupt, Das Efx, Cali Swagg as well as Canadian acts Maestro, Kardinal, JRDN, Karl Wolf & others.


Peter Jackson gained international recognition with his single “Miss Right” featuring Jamaican reggae star Sizzla Kalonji. Back home in Canada, Jackson’s song “#1 Fan” featuring Karl Wolf hit number one on HipHop Radio in Winnipeg and is in heavy rotation in Vancouver, Saskatoon and Toronto. Jackson has received press in over 500 major Hip-Hop and music publications.  He was recently nominated for Hip Hop artist of the year at the Independent Music Awards.  Jackson is currently preparing to tour the United States with DBlock before heading overseas in 2013.  His sophomore album is set to be released in November 2012 featuring appearances by Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Sizzla Kalonji, Classified, and more.


Mind you, I will stay reserved for other tracks hat I have come across, featuring the same stereotypical lyrical content (taken from PJ's "Can't Get Enough") such as:

Ice is so cold, but this bitch is like the perfect hottie
Dance for me, as a matter of fact dance for my men for me
Think of girl, of everything you’re doing in my pants for me!

But that's not to say that this guy is going to be a bigger name as time will have it.  Peter Jackson has been fighting for year in the music scene of Durham/Oshawa where it more likely to run into a metal or punk band (coughsum41cough).  Some of his other tunes such as "Help" shine a little brighter than other tracks.


The world cold and everybody a tabloid
I make them recite the wall, pink floyd
They think they know it all, 
But I don’t think they know enough

For those that keep an eye on the rap industry and especially Canadian artists, this will be one to hear about, if you haven't already.  His new album "Fresh Start" was released on November 13th, 2012 and features a slew of notable rap artists.  Cheers!



1. Fighter (Feat Micheal Mazze)
2. I Dont Give A Fuck
3. Fresh Start (Feat Krizz Kaliko)
4. Hustle From Born [Hustler] (Feat Trinity Chris)
5. Cant Get Enough (Feat The Lox and Jay Vado)
6. Goodbye (Feat JRDN)
7. 18 2 Life (Feat Lukas Rossi)
8. Hundred Miles
9. Help (Feat Joe Budden and Emerson Brooks)
10. #1 Fan (Feat Karl Wolf)
11. O.M.G. [On My Grind] (Feat Sheek Louch)
12. My Brothers Keeper (Feat Hardbody P Dollaz Breet Williams Zaze Flex K-Stu Bandit and G5)
13. Last Call (Feat Aleesia)
14. Here I Go Again (Feat Classified)
15. Bubble For Me (Feat Sizzla Kalonji)

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