Checkmate (rapper)

Checkmate is a Canadian rapper from Vancouver,[1] best known as one of the collaborating artists on Rascalz' influential 1998 single "Northern Touch".[2] He was also a Juno Award nominee for Rap Recording of the Year for his single "R.A.W." at the Juno Awards of 2003.[3] He is frequently considered one of the most skilled rappers to ever come from British Columbia.

Checkmate
Birth nameLyle Bismark
GenresHip hop
OccupationsRapper, record producer
Years active1993–present
LabelsNatural Game Records, Double Up (former)

History

Checkmate recorded over 200 underground tracks before appearing on "Northern Touch",[4] including the singles "Signs of War", "The Longshot" and "Bait & Switch (Money & Music)". He then compiled some of those songs for the 2001 album Welcome to the Game, which was released on Double Up Records.[5] "R.A.W." was released as a standalone non-album single the following year and garnered Checkmate his Juno Award nomination in 2003.

He has made several solo recordings after "R.A.W.", and was a featured collaborator on other artists' singles. Checkmate produced the compilation "Game Related" and released it through Natural Game Records in 2005. In 2008, Checkmate released the "African Kings" album in collaboration with Concise The Black Knight as the Defenders of the Faith. Both projects were re-released on Spotify. In 2011, the Defenders released the mixtape 'The G'z Next Door 2' hosted by DJ Dow Jones exclusively on Datpiff. His 2019 album is entitled "Hustle Game 101". The project featured guest appearances by Jay Worthy, JD Era and was hosted by Vago. He continues to release singles on Spotify. In 2021, Checkmate released his fourth solo album, 'Aviator Game', to all platforms through Natural Game Records and Vanguards Music. The project included guest appearances from Concise, Snak the Ripper, Bishop Brigante, Moka Only, Tre Nyce and Tiago Vasquez. The album was executive produced by DJ Kemo of the Rascalz. He participated in the Northern Touch All-Stars' set at the CBC Music Festival in 2018, performing his solo singles "R.A.W." and "These Days & Times" and in the group's performance of "Northern Touch".[6] He also appeared with the Northern Touch All-Stars when the group presented the Rap Recording of the Year award at the Juno Awards of 2018 and performed a rendition of "Northern Touch" in lieu of the acceptance speech by absent winner Tory Lanez.[7]

Discography

Solo

  • Welcome To The Game (2000)
  • Checkmate Presents... Game Related (2005)
  • Hustle Game 101 (2009)
  • Aviator Game (2021)
  • Advanced Game (2021)

Defenders of The Faith

  • African Kings (2008)
  • Pandemic (2008)
  • Power and Glory (2009)
  • The G'z Next Door (2010)
  • The G'z Next Door 2 (2011)

[8] [9]

References
  1. "Checkmate: Welcome to the Game". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, December 20, 2001.
  2. "Hip-hop takes off with Northern Touch". Victoria Times-Colonist, May 28, 1998.
  3. "Junos: The Main Event". Victoria Times-Colonist, May 28, 1998.
  4. "Quick Spins: Capsule reviews of this week's new CDs". The Province, November 6, 2001.
  5. "Checkmate: Welcome to the Game". Exclaim!, November 1, 2001.
  6. "Watch Northern Touch All-Stars reunite at the 2018 CBC Music Festival". CBC Music, August 1, 2018.
  7. "Surprises abound in upbeat Juno Awards show in Vancouver". Whitehorse Star, March 26, 2018.
  8. "Checkmate". Spotify.
  9. "CheckMate (3)". Discogs.
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