Dream Warriors
Encyclopedia
Dream Warriors were a Canadian hip hop
duo from Toronto
, Ontario
, comprising King Lou and Capital Q. Described as "a pair of deft, intelligent rappers" by Allmusic, they were major contributors to the jazz rap
movement of the early 1990s. Their 1991 debut album, And Now the Legacy Begins
, is considered one of the finest alternative hip hop
records of the golden era
. Before the release of their second album Subliminal Simulation
in 1994, the duo became a group with the addition of rapper Spek
and DJ Luv. In 1996, they released a third album, The Master Plan, before the two new members left the group a year later. Though their subsequent releases did not garner similar commercial success as their debut, the duo released a well-received greatest hits album
in 1999. Their final album, The Legacy Continues...
, was released in 2002.
and Willowdale
neighbourhoods of Toronto. The same year, King Lou made his recording debut, appearing on Michie Mee
and L.A. Luv's single, "Victory Is Calling", which also featured MC Lyte
. The duo began working on music together in 1989 and joined the Beat Factory Productions
team. They signed to 4th & B'way/Island Records
and released their jazz-influenced
debut album And Now the Legacy Begins
in 1991. The album was critically acclaimed and sold well in Canada, the United Kingdom, and across Europe
— before becoming an underground
hit in the United States.
The album spawned the hit singles "Wash Your Face in My Sink", "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style", and "Ludi". The first two singles hit the Top 20 in the UK, while in their own country, the album went gold
and collected a Juno Award
. The song "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" featured a sample
of "Soul Bossa Nova
" by Quincy Jones
, which was the theme song
for the Canadian game show Definition. In 1992, they recorded "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer
soundtrack.
For their 1994 follow-up, Subliminal Simulation
, Dream Warriors added rapper Spek
(Hussain Yoosuf) and DJ Luv (formerly L.A. Luv; Phillip Gayle), turning the duo into a four-man group. The album received mixed reviews. It featured an appearance by Butterfly of Digable Planets
and Gang Starr
(Guru
and DJ Premier
) contributed to two tracks. Early production by Da Grassroots
is found on the track "No Dingbats Allowed". Spoken word
is also performed during the interludes. Two singles, "Day in Day Out" and "California Dreamin'", were released.
Dream Warriors released their third album The Master Plan in 1996, however, it was not released in the U.S. Three singles, "Float On", "What Do You Want "Ladies"", and "Sound Clash" (featuring Beenie Man
), supported the album. Spek left the group in 1997, before relocating to the UK. DJ Luv also left the group the same year. In 1999, Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998
, a greatest hits
compilation, was released on Priority Records
. It featured two new tracks by the original duo. The compilation was critically acclaimed, with Robert Christgau
stating "Certainly they belong in the same sentence as De La Soul
and A Tribe Called Quest
."
In 2002, they released their final album, The Legacy Continues...
, exclusively in Canada. The Herbaliser
produced the single, "Road of Many Signs", which also appeared on their Very Mercenary
album in 1999. Other singles included "Breathe or Die" and "Unstoppable".
Compilations
Singles
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, comprising King Lou and Capital Q. Described as "a pair of deft, intelligent rappers" by Allmusic, they were major contributors to the jazz rap
Jazz rap
Jazz rap is a sub-genre of hip hop which incorporates jazz influences, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism...
movement of the early 1990s. Their 1991 debut album, And Now the Legacy Begins
And Now the Legacy Begins
And Now the Legacy Begins is the debut album of Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released April 23, 1991. It was released worldwide on Island Records and in the United States on sub-label 4th & B'way Records...
, is considered one of the finest alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
records of the golden era
Golden age hip hop
Hip hop's "golden age" is a name given to a period in mainstream hip hop—usually cited as being a period varying in time frames during the 1980s and 1990s said to be characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence. There were strong themes of Afrocentricity and political...
. Before the release of their second album Subliminal Simulation
Subliminal Simulation
Subliminal Simulation is the second studio album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released in 1994 in Canada and worldwide in 1995, on EMI/Pendulum Records...
in 1994, the duo became a group with the addition of rapper Spek
Spek
Hussain Yoosuf, better known by his stage name Spek, is a Canadian hip-hop artist, best known for his singles "Smell the Coffee" and "I'm a Hippie", and as a member of Canadian hip hop group, Dream Warriors.-Early career:...
and DJ Luv. In 1996, they released a third album, The Master Plan, before the two new members left the group a year later. Though their subsequent releases did not garner similar commercial success as their debut, the duo released a well-received greatest hits album
Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998
Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998 is a greatest hits compilation album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released June 22, 1999. It was released on Priority Records in the United States. The album featured two new songs, "U Ready" and "dreamwarriors.com"...
in 1999. Their final album, The Legacy Continues...
The Legacy Continues... (Dream Warriors album)
The Legacy Continues... is the fourth studio album by Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released July 9, 2002 on ISBA/BMG Music, exclusively in Canada. It spawned the singles "Road of Many Signs", "Breathe or Die", and "Unstoppable"...
, was released in 2002.
History
King Lou (Louis Robinson) and Capital Q (Frank Allert) formed Dream Warriors in 1988, hailing from the Jane and FinchJane and Finch
Jane and Finch is a neighbourhood located in northwestern North York, a district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The area is roughly bounded by Highway 400 to the west, Driftwood Avenue to the east, Grandravine Drive to the south, and Shoreham Drive to the north...
and Willowdale
Willowdale, Toronto
Willowdale is an established, affluent community in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located in the district of North York. It was originally called Lansing, which is now the name of a nearby neighbourhood....
neighbourhoods of Toronto. The same year, King Lou made his recording debut, appearing on Michie Mee
Michie Mee
Michelle McCullock , better known by her stage name Michie Mee, is a Canadian rapper and actor. As Canada's first notable female MC, she is considered a national hip-hop pioneer.-Early life and career:...
and L.A. Luv's single, "Victory Is Calling", which also featured MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
. The duo began working on music together in 1989 and joined the Beat Factory Productions
Beat Factory
Beat Factory was a Canadian urban music management/production company and independent record label, based in Toronto, Ontario.In 1982, Beat Factory was founded by Ivan Berry and songwriter Rupert Gayle. Throughout the 1980s and '90s, Beat Factory managed the top urban music artists in Canada...
team. They signed to 4th & B'way/Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
and released their jazz-influenced
Jazz rap
Jazz rap is a sub-genre of hip hop which incorporates jazz influences, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism...
debut album And Now the Legacy Begins
And Now the Legacy Begins
And Now the Legacy Begins is the debut album of Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released April 23, 1991. It was released worldwide on Island Records and in the United States on sub-label 4th & B'way Records...
in 1991. The album was critically acclaimed and sold well in Canada, the United Kingdom, and across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
— before becoming an underground
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
hit in the United States.
The album spawned the hit singles "Wash Your Face in My Sink", "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style", and "Ludi". The first two singles hit the Top 20 in the UK, while in their own country, the album went gold
Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
and collected a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
. The song "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" featured a sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of "Soul Bossa Nova
Soul Bossa Nova
"Soul Bossa Nova" is a popular instrumental title, composed by and first performed by American impresario, jazz composer, arranger and record producer Quincy Jones. It first appeared on his 1962 Big Band Bossa Nova big band album on Mercury Records. Multi-reed player Rahsaan Roland Kirk played the...
" by Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, which was the theme song
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
for the Canadian game show Definition. In 1992, they recorded "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a 1992 American action/comedy/horror film about a Valley girl cheerleader named Buffy who learns that it is her fate to hunt vampires. The original script for the film was written by Joss Whedon, who later created the darker and more acclaimed TV series of the same name...
soundtrack.
For their 1994 follow-up, Subliminal Simulation
Subliminal Simulation
Subliminal Simulation is the second studio album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released in 1994 in Canada and worldwide in 1995, on EMI/Pendulum Records...
, Dream Warriors added rapper Spek
Spek
Hussain Yoosuf, better known by his stage name Spek, is a Canadian hip-hop artist, best known for his singles "Smell the Coffee" and "I'm a Hippie", and as a member of Canadian hip hop group, Dream Warriors.-Early career:...
(Hussain Yoosuf) and DJ Luv (formerly L.A. Luv; Phillip Gayle), turning the duo into a four-man group. The album received mixed reviews. It featured an appearance by Butterfly of Digable Planets
Digable Planets
Digable Planets is an American alternative hip hop trio based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler , Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving . They released their debut album Reachin' in 1993, and their follow-up album Blowout Comb in 1994...
and Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
(Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
and DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
) contributed to two tracks. Early production by Da Grassroots
Da Grassroots
Da Grassroots are a Canadian hip-hop production team from Toronto, Ontario, composed of Mr. Attic, Mr. Murray, and Swiff. The Juno Award-winning group contributed to the development of Toronto hip hop throughout the 1990s, highlighted by the release of their debut album Passage Through Time in...
is found on the track "No Dingbats Allowed". Spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
is also performed during the interludes. Two singles, "Day in Day Out" and "California Dreamin'", were released.
Dream Warriors released their third album The Master Plan in 1996, however, it was not released in the U.S. Three singles, "Float On", "What Do You Want "Ladies"", and "Sound Clash" (featuring Beenie Man
Beenie Man
Anthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
), supported the album. Spek left the group in 1997, before relocating to the UK. DJ Luv also left the group the same year. In 1999, Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998
Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998
Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998 is a greatest hits compilation album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released June 22, 1999. It was released on Priority Records in the United States. The album featured two new songs, "U Ready" and "dreamwarriors.com"...
, a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
compilation, was released on Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
. It featured two new tracks by the original duo. The compilation was critically acclaimed, with Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
stating "Certainly they belong in the same sentence as De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
and A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
."
In 2002, they released their final album, The Legacy Continues...
The Legacy Continues... (Dream Warriors album)
The Legacy Continues... is the fourth studio album by Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released July 9, 2002 on ISBA/BMG Music, exclusively in Canada. It spawned the singles "Road of Many Signs", "Breathe or Die", and "Unstoppable"...
, exclusively in Canada. The Herbaliser
The Herbaliser
The Herbaliser is a jazz rap band formed by Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba London, England during the early 1990s. Although currently signed to !K7 Records, they were one of the best-known acts from the Ninja Tune independent record label...
produced the single, "Road of Many Signs", which also appeared on their Very Mercenary
Very Mercenary
Very Mercenary is the third album by The Herbaliser. It was released on Ninja Tune in 1999.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:01# "Mission Improbable" – 3:09# "Who's the Realest?" – 4:44# "When I Shine" – 3:54...
album in 1999. Other singles included "Breathe or Die" and "Unstoppable".
Discography
Studio albums- And Now the Legacy BeginsAnd Now the Legacy BeginsAnd Now the Legacy Begins is the debut album of Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released April 23, 1991. It was released worldwide on Island Records and in the United States on sub-label 4th & B'way Records...
(1991) – CANRPM (magazine)RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
#34, UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#18 - Subliminal SimulationSubliminal SimulationSubliminal Simulation is the second studio album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released in 1994 in Canada and worldwide in 1995, on EMI/Pendulum Records...
(1994) - The Master Plan (1996)
- The Legacy Continues...The Legacy Continues... (Dream Warriors album)The Legacy Continues... is the fourth studio album by Canadian hip hop duo Dream Warriors, released July 9, 2002 on ISBA/BMG Music, exclusively in Canada. It spawned the singles "Road of Many Signs", "Breathe or Die", and "Unstoppable"...
(2002)
Compilations
- Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998Anthology: A Decade of Hits 1988–1998 is a greatest hits compilation album by Canadian hip hop group Dream Warriors, released June 22, 1999. It was released on Priority Records in the United States. The album featured two new songs, "U Ready" and "dreamwarriors.com"...
(1999)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
U.S. Mod Rock | |||
| 1990 | "Wash Your Face in My Sink" | — | 16 | — | And Now the Legacy Begins |
| "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" | — | 13 | 24 | ||
| 1991 | "Ludi" | 56 | 39 | — | |
| "Follow Me Not" | — | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "Day in Day Out" | — | — | — | Subliminal Simulation |
| 1995 | "California Dreamin'" | — | — | — | |
| 1996 | "Float On" | — | — | — | The Master Plan |
| "What Do You Want "Ladies"" | — | — | — | ||
| "Sound Clash" | — | — | — | ||
| 2002 | "Road of Many Signs" | — | — | — | The Legacy Continues... |
| "Breathe or Die" | — | — | — | ||
| "Unstoppable" | — | — | — | ||
Awards and nominations
- 1991 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 1991The Juno Awards of 1991, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 3 March 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia at a ceremony in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Paul Shaffer was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television.This was...
- Rap Recording of the YearJuno Award for Rap Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
for "Wash Your Face in My Sink" (Nominated)
- Rap Recording of the Year
- 1992 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 1992The Juno Awards of 1992, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 29 March 1992 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Rick Moranis was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television from 9 pm Eastern.Nominations were...
- Rap Recording of the Year for "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" (Won)
- 1995 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 1995The Juno Awards of 1995, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 26 March 1995 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
- Best Rap Recording for Subliminal Simulation (Nominated)
- 1997 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 1997The Juno Awards of 1997, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 9 March 1997 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum. Jann Arden was host for the major ceremonies which were broadcast on CBC Television.Nominations were announced on...
- Best Rap Recording for The Master Plan (Nominated)
See also
- Canadian hip hopCanadian hip hopThe Canadian hip hop scene was first established in the 1980s. Through a variety of factors, it developed much more slowly than Canada's popular rock music scene, and apart from a short-lived burst of mainstream popularity from 1989 to 1991, it remained largely an underground phenomenon until the...
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...