Governor General Praises Cadence Weapon, Edmonton

Governor General Michaelle Jean has applauded Edmonton for naming Cadence Weapon their poet laureate.

Jean was in Edmonton last week, where she gave a speech about hip-hop and the arts and how she said they can be used to promote "peace and solidarity in our communities." She's been hosting "Youth Dialogues" across Canada to increase awareness about how the arts can be used to fight crime.

Jean pointed to youths she'd met across the country in various urban and rural areas, who she said had been turning to the arts as an "alternative to crime" and pointed out this was one of the most important reasons to fund and support the arts.

"That is why we as a nation must stand in solidarity with these artists," Jean said, according to Maclean's magazine. "So I am pleased to see that Edmonton is ahead of the game on this one!"

"I saw how this year, you stole the heavyweight title of Canada's hip-hop capital by appointing Cadence Weapon as your poet laureate!

"Mayor [Stephen] Mandel, you and the residents of Edmonton are to be commended for the leadership you are displaying in this regard. And I encourage others to follow suit.

"For supporting the urban arts is the way to go — particularly now that we appear to be winning the battle against crime."

Cadence Weapon (real name Roland Pemberton) was named Edmonton's poet laureate on Canada Day. He was nominated to the post by local artist Trevor Anderson.

The 23-year-old Pemberton has released two albums to date: 2005's Polaris Music Prize short-listed Breaking Kayfabe and last year's Afterparty Babies.

He also made Separation Anxiety, a 20-track "mix tape," available to download from his website earlier this year. Cadence Weapon has also remixed tracks by Woodhands, Chad VanGaalen and The Streets.

You can see Cadence Weapon at Austin, Texas' Club DeVille on Saturday.