The Big Ticket

There are numerous monthly events and venues that showcase talented hip-hop artists in Toronto, but what the community lacks is professionalism in its field. This is according to industry heavyweight Chris Jackson, who plans to bring about change with his monthly showcase, The Big Ticket. Jackson, the brainchild of The Big Ticket, has been in the music industry for over 25 years and has seen the evolution of Toronto hip-hop for decades. He has hopes for what is to come in the future. “We need a foundation, a base, a blueprint and I was around back in the days in the ’80s and early ’90s and helped establish that foundation in hip-hop,” he explains. “We got lost at one point, we are still a little lost, but hip-hop in Canada is starting to find its identity again and that’s what Big Ticket was designed as, to help support artists, give them a place to perform on a regular basis and give them a venue and event that is on a professional level.”

On the second Friday of every month, hip-hop heads and tastemakers can be found at the city’s The Velvet Underground enjoying a night of music from local emcees, DJs and beat makers who are interested in the future of the hip-hop community in Canada. The event, which was birthed in July has already made a large impact on the city’s music scene, and has welcomed artists such as Perfeck Strangers, Raz Fresco and Masia One to its stage. Toronto emcee, The 12th Letter, who recently dropped his album Hear No Evil, Music To My Ears, celebrated its launch by performing at last month’s edition of The Big Ticket. He says the event is a dynamic asset to the Toronto hip-hop community.

“In the early ’90s, you had the Lyricist Lounge and places like that which spawned a lot of great talent and that people could come and see it. I feel that this is that same kind of hub where artists can perform and the fans can come out and see and get a taste of what the music is like and support it. We haven’t really had things like that in the past that have been consistent and this is a monthly event so things like this are vital to the city to grow the culture and prove that hip-hop has staying power in the city,” he said after his performance. At the next Big Ticket event on January 11, Jackson hopes to bring the best of Big Ticket and feature his favourite acts that have helped the showcase evolve.

Photos By: Fitzroy Facey