Money Jane [Remix] - Kardinal Offishall, Enriquez, S.
Man by Choice
Maxine
U R Ghetto 2002
Quest for Fire
Powerfulll - Kardinal Offishall, Gordon, J.
G Walkin'
Gotta Get It
On Wid da Show - Kardinal Offishall,
Go Ahead Den
There's a refreshing sense of originality to Kardinal Offishall's approach to hip-hop. Unlike many of his Canadian rap contemporaries--Choclair and the Rascalz, for example--Kardinal makes no attempt to sound like he's fro... more »m the wilds of Brooklyn, Queens, or Atlanta instead of his native Toronto. In fact, he's one of the few Canadian MCs who makes Toronto's unique cultural mash-up an integral part of his sound. Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 is as much a dancehall reggae album as a hip-hop record, with Kardinal bringing out his West Indian background on roots thumpers like "Ol' Time Killin'" and "Go Ahead Den." Handling most of the album's production himself, the rough-voiced MC also veers into R&B on "Powerful," comedy on "UR Ghetto 2002," racial politics on the stirring "Man by Choice," and hip-hop pop on "Husslin'." And for those not familiar with the T-Dot, Kardinal also breaks down Toronto hip-hop lingo on the anthemic "BaKardi Slang." It's slick, but not in a cloying, saccharine way. While Kardinal's obviously shooting for international attention, that's not coming at the expense of his original sound. An impressive debut for an artist who's come to define Canadian hip-hop. --Matt Galloway« less
There's a refreshing sense of originality to Kardinal Offishall's approach to hip-hop. Unlike many of his Canadian rap contemporaries--Choclair and the Rascalz, for example--Kardinal makes no attempt to sound like he's from the wilds of Brooklyn, Queens, or Atlanta instead of his native Toronto. In fact, he's one of the few Canadian MCs who makes Toronto's unique cultural mash-up an integral part of his sound. Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 is as much a dancehall reggae album as a hip-hop record, with Kardinal bringing out his West Indian background on roots thumpers like "Ol' Time Killin'" and "Go Ahead Den." Handling most of the album's production himself, the rough-voiced MC also veers into R&B on "Powerful," comedy on "UR Ghetto 2002," racial politics on the stirring "Man by Choice," and hip-hop pop on "Husslin'." And for those not familiar with the T-Dot, Kardinal also breaks down Toronto hip-hop lingo on the anthemic "BaKardi Slang." It's slick, but not in a cloying, saccharine way. While Kardinal's obviously shooting for international attention, that's not coming at the expense of his original sound. An impressive debut for an artist who's come to define Canadian hip-hop. --Matt Galloway
CD Reviews
Ladies Lookin' Hot, SCREWFACE kissin teet, reppin' da T-DOT!
Josh | T.O. | 06/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I find it quite AMUSING when rappers like Lil' Kim and Missy try sing with Jamaican Slang. (They probably need coaching for weeks just to get one phrase :)... but they get an A+ for effort, heheIt was just a matter of time before the hip hop world discovered Reggae and West Indian culture, just like it has assimilated Spanish and Latino, especially with regards to verbal slang. Particularly, the dancehall reggae world must look exotic, rough and menacing to the uninitiated - a perfect candidate for hip hop to squeeze into it's moldGOOD thing Kardinal (a man with a REAL Carribean background) came to set the record straight, and show that the Multicultural T-DOT is the ORIGINATOR of mixing these two worlds without loosing the essence of either."
Kardinal Offishall: Quest For Fire: Vol.1 Firestarter
Josh | 10/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kardinal is Canadian and not afraid to show it unlike some rappers from Canada like Rascalz & Choclair. Kardinal Offishall does'nt try to imatate people like DMX, Nelly, Ja Rule, Redman, P.Diddy, Method Man, Coolio, Tupac R.I.P EXE. You get the point so here's a list of the songs on the album and my rating for each on.
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1. Intro- Good Intro Solid Backround- 7.5
2. Bakardi Slang- The Smash Hit Single and by far his best- 10.0 3. Mic T.H.U.G.S- Good, But not his best- 6.0
4. Husslin'- Good Song nice beat too- 8.0
5. Ol' Time Killin'- Maybe better than Barkadi Slang- 10.5
6. Money Jane (Remix) Feat. Sean Paul & Jully Black- Good- 9.5
7. Man By Choice- A song about racisiam- 9.0
8. Maxine- OH MS.MAXINE- 7.0
9. U R Ghetto 2002- Good Ol' Ghetto- 8.0
10.Quest for Fire Feat. Solitair- FYAH!!!- 9.5
11.Powerfulll- GREAT!!!- 8.5
12.G Walkin' Feat. Glenn Lewis- It's OK- 6.5
13.Gotta Get It Feat. The Saukrettes- AWSEOME- 9.5
14.On Wid da Show- Pretty Good- 7.5
15.Go Ahead Den- SWEET!!!- 9.5
*****************************************************************As you can see most of my ratings are high and really good coments. So if you don't have this CD then go get."
A Solid Hip-Hop Release By Canada's On Kardinal
dOc | Atlanta, GA | 05/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Tight flows, tight tracks and lyrics....... yeah I'm all for that. Kardinal first was introduced to me on the Tony Touch mix-tape #61 "Comin' Of Da Storm" featuring the track "Mic THUGS" (one of my favorite tracks on the CD). Representing T-D.O.T., Kardinal and Choclair add a new style and twist to the hip-hop game. If this one doesn't hit big on radio, underground should appreciate the realness this CD offers. Sorry, no bling-blinging on this one. For real hip-hop heads only. Favorite tracks: Bakardi Slang, Maxine, Quest For Fire, Powerfull, Go Ahead Den..... cop this CD fast!
oNe"
Representing the T. Dot
Shawn Alim | REXDALE, Ontario, Canada | 05/22/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Kardinal has true Toronto sounds. He has a perfect mix of reggae and hip-hop(mostly hip-hop) that sounds real unlike other artists who try to sing with a reggae tongue. Barkardi Slang has all the slang you need for Canadian hip-hop communities, not to mention its smooth melody and beat. All the songs on this album are alright with nice beats. Look out for Fire Starter vol. 2, because vol. 1 is "off-the-hook.""
Canadian Legend
-BC- | Canada | 12/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kardinal is a living legend in Canada. I don't know why he don't more respect and fame in the US. You guys are sleeping on a dope emcee. This album is a classic"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1