For the month of March, HipHopCanada is running a weekly recap of THE BLOCK, providing a brief summary of what host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe had on deck for listeners.
THE BLOCK airs weekdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (7:30 Newfoundland), on CBC Music and CBC Listen. Every episode is archived in the CBC Listen app, with 24 2-hour streams available at the time this story was published.
Episode 26 – March 8, 2021
Week 6 of THE BLOCK kicked off with a huge single by Janet Jackson that dropped in 1986. The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-produced “When I Think of You” was the third single off Jackson’s third studio album, Control, and her first No. 1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The episode also featured songs by several Canadian artists including Michie Mee, LolaBunz, JellyTooFly, Jully Black, Mighloe, and various others.
A pair of big Monie Love records were featured back-to-back including her 1989 collaboration with Queen Latifah, “Ladies First,” produced by DJ Mark The 45 King, and her 1990 hit single, “Monie in the Middle,” off the album, Down to Earth.
Stream it now on CBC Listen.
Episode 27 – March 9, 2021
Episode 27 of THE BLOCK kicked off with arguably the biggest record in Canadian hip-hop history. The classic “Let Your Backbone Slide” by Maestro Fresh Wes was the lead single off the Toronto rapper’s 1989 debut, Symphony in Effect, and was also the first Canadian song to hit Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart.
Along with Maestro, the two-hour playlist is also packed with some other incredible Canadian talents including TOBi, Dream Warriors, NAV, Rochelle Jordan, and several others.
While K’naan fans wonder if there will ever be new music from the popular Canadian rapper/singer, THE BLOCK brings us back to single, “Wash It Down”, off the 2005 album debut, The Dusty Foot Philosopher.
Stream it now on CBC Listen.
Episode 28 – March 10, 2021
The song that started it all… Episode 28 of THE BLOCK kicks off with the first single from popular jazz rap trio Digable Planets off their 1992 album debut, Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space). The song peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the group’s only Top 40 hit. The song also topped the Hot Rap Singles, and was certified Gold by the RIAA on on March 16, 1993 for sales of 500,000 copies.
The two-hour episode also features music from Shad, The Notorious B.I.G., Anderson .Paak, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Melanie Durrant, Clairmont the Second, Alexinthemiddle, and a ton more.
Acclaimed producer/DJ and artist Junia-T shines with his with his new Miloh Smith-assisted single, “4AM in Toronto,” which dropped on Feb. 22. The song will be featured on the Deluxe version of his album, Studio Monk, which is expected this Friday, March 19.
Stream it now on CBC Listen.
Episode 29 – March 11, 2021
Episode 29 of THE BLOCK features a wide array of incredible Black musicians and artists, including an impressive selection of Canadian talent. Along with artists like Cadence Weapon, Choclair, and TOBi, THE BLOCK premieres the latest single from Canadian legend, k-os. “Just What I Need” was released independently on March 12.
The playlist also features the massive 2008 single from Toronto’s own Point Blank. “Born and Raised in the Ghetto” was featured on the group’s official self-titled album debut on August 19, 2008 via TiltRock Records.
Stream it now on CBC Listen.
Episode 30 – March 12, 2021
Week 6 of THE BLOCK wrapped up with another great two-hour episode that started with the sweet musical stylings of Alabama-born rapper and actress, Chika. The Lido-produced “My Power” was featured in the Netflix film, Project Power.
Along with Chika, Episode 30 features another incredible playlist with songs by a variety of artists like K-Riz, Logun, Michie Mee, Drake, Missy D, and more. “On the Low” by Haviah Mighty is one of several gems you’ll find in the mix. The song was featured on her 2017 album, Flower City.
Stream it now on CBC Listen.
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