With tens of thousands of albums sold and hundreds of shows rocked, the word of mouth is spreading about Sweatshop Union's style of conscious lyrics, highly musical beats, and high energy live shows that far surpass the average hip hop concert. Campaigning to create awareness for their fourth album Water Street, Sweatshop are embarking on their most extensive phase of touring ever, hitting over 100 cities across North America in just over 4 months.
Sweatshop Union began as a collective of Vancouver-based artists pooling resources to release an album, transforming into a group in the process. The crew, made up of Kyprios, Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, and Innocent Bystanders, released their debut album Local 604 in late 2002 via indie label Battle Axe Records. In support of the album, they created three music videos and toured Canada with Jurassic 5 and Blackalicious, as well as then-labelmates Swollen Members and Abstract Rude. This was the beginning of a relentless touring schedule that has proven to be a key catalyst to solidifying their growing fan base and maintaining momentum.
Natural Progression, Sweatshop's sophomore album, hit streets in 2004 and cemented their position as a group to be reckoned with. More videos and touring followed; Sweatshop crisscrossed Canada, headlining several tours and also touring as the opening act for the Black Eyed Peas. Critical acclaim grew, and both college and commercial radio gave Sweatshop tracks substantial airtime. Nominations for a Juno Award (the Canadian Grammy), a MuchMusic Video Award, Canadian Radio Music Awards, and more piled up. Recognizing the appeal of Sweatshop Union's music, music supervisors used their music in dozens of films, television shows, and video games, creating even more international awareness.
2005 brought the release of the third Sweatshop Union album, United We Fall, featuring collaborations with Rob The Viking, Mad Child (Swollen Members) and DJ Revolution (The World Famous Wake Up Show). Canada was blanketed, more albums were sold, more audiences were rocked, and more accolades (including nominations for another Juno Award and MuchMusic Video Award) were received. In 2006 Sweatshop Union hit the road in the United States for the first time, giving their American fans a taste of what is to come. Since then, Sweatshop has rocked over 100 shows a year, a pace that that they have no intention of letting up.
Despite their heavy touring schedule Sweatshop Union still found time to record the 23 tracks that make up their latest album, which is almost entirely produced by members of the group. Water Street hits Canadian streets and online retailers on August 5th and will reach store shelves in the USA & internationally on October 14th, further solidifying their position as one of Canada's top selling independent hip hop artists. In a time when hip hop music remains soulless and simplistic in the eyes of the mainstream, Sweatshop Union remain driven to deliver a deeper, more meaningful sound into the conscience of the masses.
Sweatshop Union press quotes:
“Inventive, intelligent, and illuminating hip hop.”
- Calgary Sun
“Substance and style working in perfect equilibrium. 4 out of 5.”
- NOW Magazine
“Soulful, conscientious hip-hop”
- Vue Weekly
“Polished but still fresh.”
- Exclaim! Magazine
“Solid beats and conscious lyrics. A powerful antidote for vacant pop-rap.”
- Chart Attack
“Original beats and stylish rhymes.”
- University of Western Ontario Gazette
“There’s no arguing with the slickness of the music’s execution.”
- The Georgia Straight
“Clever and astute. United We Fall hits the mark both viscerally and intellectually.”
- This Magazine
“Solid, progressive hip hop. 8 out of 10.”
- Altrap.com
“A fair comparison to the organic live sound of The Roots, one of the many different styles the Union transitions into with ease.”
- Rapreviews.com
“Their lyrics, music, and videos have shown that hip-hop on the west coast was not a pop culture accident.”
- Ottawa Xpress Magazine
“Distinct and diverse styles that blend together perfectly.”
- MVRemix.com
“Sweatshop Union make rap smart and cool.”
- Chart Attack
Sweatshop Union award nominations:
Juno Award for Outstanding Rap Recording for United We Fall
Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Rap Recording for United We Fall
MuchMusic Video Award for Best Rap Video for “Try”
Juno Award for Outstanding Rap Recording for Natural Progression
Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Rap Recording for Natural Progression
MuchMusic Video Award for Best Independent Video for “The Thing About It”
Canadian Independent Music Award for Favorite Urban Artist
Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Artist (CHR)
Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Artist (Dance/ Urban)
Sweatshop Union - Upcoming shows in BC!'s Friend Space (Top 16)
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Hello guys Im Tyler from Stereotype. Im pretty sure that you guys played in Mt Shasta correct me if im wronge though. Well if you ever in Mt Shasta again we would really like to play a show with you guys because you kick ass. We could arrange a show with you. We usally have a show at the Mt Shasta High school in spring and we make about 400 to 600 dollars and the crowd is great.
Thanks hope to hear from you soon Tyler, Stereotype
Hey was excited to see you guys in seattle oct 1 after your awesome concert at hempfest.....was the concert cancelled at king cat theater? And you have to come back to seattle?!?!
aw i'm sorry you guys. i did go to Cozmic pizza before i left for salem and saw that it was cancelled due to illness. i hope you guys get better. and remember, you'll definitely have a place to crash at the next time you're all in or near salem. :)
Thanks for reaching back, send us your email address over in a comment or message, we will get you a free leased beat to record over. Look forward to working with you soon. Take care. GOT THAT MUSIC LLC RECORDS-Chairman...
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