Cadence Weapon @ CMW 2006

Hometown: Edmonton, AB Venue: Silver Dollar Date: March 3, 2005 Reporter: 

Background/Composition: An edgy rapper with messages and production worth listening to.

Grade: 92

Comment: You can say you don't like hip-hop, but I challenge you to check out Rollie Pemberton's (a.k.a. Cadence Weapon) live performance and not get pulled into the moment.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronounciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E I
mage: E
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  With only a DJ watching his back, Cadence Weapon took the stage and proceeded to own it. There's a lot of hype surrounding this guy, and a big crowd has assembled to see if he could live up to it. It's safe to say that he did. He's got a belligerent kind of confidence, but he isn't arrogant. There's a strong thread of sincerity cutting through his bravado and it only helps to draw people in more. He worked hard to engage the crowd, often challenging them to give it right back to him. I wish he had moved around the stage more — he had his back turned to everyone on my side of the room for most of the set.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: E
Sound: E
Composition: E
Songs: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  Cadence Weapon started off the set with a rapidfire rhyming style that was impressive in its complexity, but too much to absorb any meaning. Later on he mixed it up with some more slow-burning rhymes over top of heavy beats. He referenced everyone from Bob Dylan, to Franz Ferdinand (the archduke, not the band), and Nik Kozub from Shout Out Out Out Out. Sometimes he yelled like his life depended on getting the words out.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: E
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  In Canada, hip-hop still struggles for recognition, but it looks like Cadence Weapon is ready to stand up and help change that. There's an old-school purity to his messages and rhymes, mixed with a modern sensibility and a bit of rock 'n' roll. The Edmonton scene is ready to take its turn, and Cadence Weapon will be at the front of the pack.