Arabesque (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Arabesque, also known as Besque (born Stephen Kawalit, September 17, 1981, in Toronto
, Canada
), is a Juno
Nominated hip hop
artist from Toronto. He studied Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University
. He has signed record deals in the US, Canada, UK and Japan.
, and writing featured Hip-Hop Editorials. Shortly after forming a group with his cousin, Babylon Point. In 2000, the rap duos demo received acclaim from Vice Magazine, sparking interest amongst underground purists and tape junkies, however Babylon Point split shortly afterwards. Besque joined a Toronto based political soul collective, Revolution Records on their 45" vinyl release ‘Sounds of Revolution’ headed by dj/producer Complex.
In mid 2002, Besque released his first solo single to commercial radio with much success. “Choked Up”, an ode dedicated to the tragic loss of his high school girlfriend. “Choked Up” was produced by Sy Wyld and featured vocals by BBE Music recording artist Slakah the Beatchild. The single started a number of charting 12” singles. Besque then accepted clothing line sponsorships with New York’s One Serious Threat and later LA based clothing line Scifen.
Arabesque’s budding success caught the attention of UK based label, Sin Nombre. Arabesque signed with Nottingham based label for his debut full length release of “The Frenzy of Renown” in early 2005, the album being distributed by Universal Records
, Executive produced by Toronto native Anonymous Twist. Arabesque’s first video, for the album “Bellyache” (Directed by Cazhj) received rotation on Much Music’s Rap City, shortly after shooting a video for single “Stardust”(Directed by Marc Andre Debruyne).
In February 2007, ‘The Frenzy of Renown’ was nominated for a Juno. Canada’s Juno Awards ceremony was hosted by Nelly Furtado
. Tracks off the album including “Mamma Dig Me,” “Bellyache,” and “Stardust” entered the charts that year.
June 2006, Arabesque touched overseas with his Middle East Tour with Grammy Reggae singer Sean Paul
. Later a cross country tour with LA’s Aceyalone
. Besque has opened for Raekwon
, Little Brother, Zion I
, Dilated Peoples
, Method Man
in various shows and festivals.
November 2007, Arabesque partnered up with New Jersey native, Rah Digga
, on his ep ‘Hang Your Heroes.’ A melodic album that strikes a good balance between gritty vocals and beats that range from jazzy to soulful to those meant to rock the disco. Featured single “Nature’s Phone” exploded on the Urban/Dance charts breaking on BBC 1Xtra. The video was shot by SXSW Film Festival winner Drew Lightfoot
, featuring Melanie Durrant and Slakah the Beatchild. Hang Your Heroes featured hits such as Chunksahoy produced “Pablo Picasso,” "Pablo Picasso" and “Marlboro Man”. An animation/live action video was shot by David Fradkin for “Anna Conda.”
During September 2008, Yokohama-Cities Yanase Records signs Arabesque. The Japanese label released Arabesque’s ‘Last Life in the Universe.' Finding its way on the shelves of the retailers Tower Records
and HMV
Asia.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
), is a Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
Nominated hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artist from Toronto. He studied Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
. He has signed record deals in the US, Canada, UK and Japan.
Career
At the age of 16, Arabesque started his career in the music industry as a freelance contributor for various Urban Publications, interviewing the likes of Flava Flav & A-TrakA-Trak
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label Fool's Gold.- Career :...
, and writing featured Hip-Hop Editorials. Shortly after forming a group with his cousin, Babylon Point. In 2000, the rap duos demo received acclaim from Vice Magazine, sparking interest amongst underground purists and tape junkies, however Babylon Point split shortly afterwards. Besque joined a Toronto based political soul collective, Revolution Records on their 45" vinyl release ‘Sounds of Revolution’ headed by dj/producer Complex.
In mid 2002, Besque released his first solo single to commercial radio with much success. “Choked Up”, an ode dedicated to the tragic loss of his high school girlfriend. “Choked Up” was produced by Sy Wyld and featured vocals by BBE Music recording artist Slakah the Beatchild. The single started a number of charting 12” singles. Besque then accepted clothing line sponsorships with New York’s One Serious Threat and later LA based clothing line Scifen.
Arabesque’s budding success caught the attention of UK based label, Sin Nombre. Arabesque signed with Nottingham based label for his debut full length release of “The Frenzy of Renown” in early 2005, the album being distributed by Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
, Executive produced by Toronto native Anonymous Twist. Arabesque’s first video, for the album “Bellyache” (Directed by Cazhj) received rotation on Much Music’s Rap City, shortly after shooting a video for single “Stardust”(Directed by Marc Andre Debruyne).
In February 2007, ‘The Frenzy of Renown’ was nominated for a Juno. Canada’s Juno Awards ceremony was hosted by Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
. Tracks off the album including “Mamma Dig Me,” “Bellyache,” and “Stardust” entered the charts that year.
June 2006, Arabesque touched overseas with his Middle East Tour with Grammy Reggae singer Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
. Later a cross country tour with LA’s Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
. Besque has opened for Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
, Little Brother, Zion I
Zion I
Zion I are a hip hop duo from Oakland, California. The duo consists of producer DJ AmpLive and MC Zumbi. The group is known to its followers for Amp's futuristic production techniques, using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, and Zumbi's positive and socially conscious lyrics. Zion I...
, Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West and Xzibit...
, Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
in various shows and festivals.
November 2007, Arabesque partnered up with New Jersey native, Rah Digga
Rah Digga
Rah Digga is an American rapper. Well known as a long time member of the Flipmode Squad, a hip hop group led by Busta Rhymes, she parted ways amicably with the group in 2007. She has been called "one of rap's most prominent women MCs" by Allmusic and "one of hip-hop's most skilled female MCs" in...
, on his ep ‘Hang Your Heroes.’ A melodic album that strikes a good balance between gritty vocals and beats that range from jazzy to soulful to those meant to rock the disco. Featured single “Nature’s Phone” exploded on the Urban/Dance charts breaking on BBC 1Xtra. The video was shot by SXSW Film Festival winner Drew Lightfoot
Drew Lightfoot
Drew Lightfoot is a Canadian director of commercials and music videos. He has also worked as an animator, and continues to use animation as a director, to varying degrees, sometimes using stop-motion and CGI in his commercials and videos.-Commercials:...
, featuring Melanie Durrant and Slakah the Beatchild. Hang Your Heroes featured hits such as Chunksahoy produced “Pablo Picasso,” "Pablo Picasso" and “Marlboro Man”. An animation/live action video was shot by David Fradkin for “Anna Conda.”
During September 2008, Yokohama-Cities Yanase Records signs Arabesque. The Japanese label released Arabesque’s ‘Last Life in the Universe.' Finding its way on the shelves of the retailers Tower Records
Tower Records
Tower Records was a retail music chain that was based in Sacramento, California. It currently exists as an international franchise and an online music store....
and HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
Asia.
Discography
| Album | Label | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Frenzy of Renown | Sin Nombre/Universal | December 2005 |
| Hang Your Heroes | Skin I'm In/Urbnet | December 2007 |
| Last Life in the Universe (Japan) | Yanase | September 2008 |
External links
- Official site
- Arabesque on MySpace
- Exclaim Review By Neil Acharya
- Now Review By Addi Stewart
- Hero Hill Review
- Arabesque in The Cyber Krib
- Idio Magazine Review By Kevin Jones
- Bande A Part Review - French
- Arabesque on Much Music
- Chart Attack Magazine By Cheryl Thompson
- URB Next: Arabesque
- URB Blog: Janelle Monae and Arabesque
- Arabesque UK Label
- Arabesque Canadian Label