80 Million Isms

<p><img src="http://www.imusicscene.com/image.php?band_id=1171&amp;image_id=653&amp;mode=photo_image&amp;width=640" alt="some text" width="128" height="258" align="left" /><strong>S</strong>ome credit alien-neural implants, possibly from an early childhood abduction. Others believe DNA manipulation, a back-room genetics experiment, is responsible. Most likely, the truth will remain concealed until the autopsy. Nevertheless, the word on the street is that Tallisman is synonymous with the term "Fresh MC." <strong>T</strong>he odyssey begins in the early 80s with the words "jam on it." Intrigued, senses tingling, a fascination with the new sound was born, and so was Tallisman. Shortly thereafter, the eternal words of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's The Message consecrated a young rapper's love for the art form. Hip to the power and potential of this new music, Tallisman began his quest for microphone supremacy, sights locked on honing skills and elevating the art. <strong>T</strong>allisman began to write prolifically. Lyrics and ideas filled mounds of scrap paper and notebooks. During recess, crowds would gather at school to listen to him rhyme and freestyle about everything under the sun. <strong>I</strong>n 1989, he toured England and Ireland with a multi-art performance group, Peace Moves '89. The tour culminated with him opening for reggae legends, Aswad, during the Cambridge music festival. <strong>I</strong>n 1992, after more then ten years of preparation and practice, it was time to begin the task of immortalising the music. Tallisman and fellow mc, Positively Smooth, formed "product KVA" and recorded their first EP, " Trumpet Blasts Blow." Tallisman simultaneously co-founded Haltown Projex, a Halifax based hip-hop collective, which included such artists as Buck 65 and dj Jo Run tha Witch Doctor. Tallisman and the Halifax contingent immediately began to gain notoriety throughout Canada's underground scene. In 1994, product KVA became Plains of Fascination; the group expanded, and recorded a full-length demo. <strong>E</strong>arly in 1995, the crew toured Germany. A K&ouml;ln based label, Groove Attack Productions, amazed by the sound and live performance, offered to sign the group. Two singles were recorded and The Plains continued to rock Deutschland, charting as they went. Join the Ranks, the bands first album, was completed in '96, and with the help of a video for a track called, "MindMeld," the album soared to number three on the college hip-hop charts. Join the Ranks included a track entitled "Waitin' 4 the Streets," which featured the vocal of a newcomer to the Canadian music scene: Nelly Furtado. <strong>I</strong>n 1997, Tallisman and Nelly formed the trip Hop duo, nelstar*. His atmospheric production and her stylish vocal were sufficient to win the duo a VideoFact Award for 'Like," the first song they recorded! They went on to record a fantastic demo, and the rest of that story is history... Ever looking to broaden his musical experience, Tallisman leapt at the oppertunity in 1997 to join Canadian hip-hop icon, Michie Mee, on Raggadeath's sophomore record "Dance with the Devil." <strong>1</strong>998. Tallisman had made a name for himself in the underground circuits: Freestyle Fanatic, Revolutionary Lyricist and Producer Extraordinaire. He formed a new Toronto-based collective known as UNIT-e. Featuring five of the city's finest MC'z, and two groups, the UNIT blew up. Tallisman produced and recorded three EPs and an album for the crew, among which were the cult-classics "One Mc," and "Planet of the Apes." <strong>1</strong>999. Regina, Saskatchewan. Finally, the time was right. Metamorphosis completed, skills honed and in place, reputation intact, Tallisman began the creative excursion, which ended in the January 2002 release of his first solo work: "80 Million Isms." The record is already winning critical acclaim. The poetics, beats and positivity come as a breath of fresh air, infusing the hip-hop art form with new life. ...and that is just the beginning!</p>