Lending a voice to combat gun violence
Hip-hop artists team up, record track to spread anti-gun message in city
Members of Toronto’s hip-hop community have come together to speak out against rising gun violence in the city.
“It’s better to try to do something, than to sit back and do nothing. It’s not just rappers dying, it’s community members,” said Toronto-based rapper and lyricist JD Era, who is one of seven artists on a newly released single called “Wish I Could.”
“I’m tired of turning on the news every day and seeing another big gun-down. I’m tired of seeing mothers crying and heartbroken. This is deeper than just gang violence.”
Recently, JD Era joined fellow hip-hop artists JRDN, Maestro Fresh-Wes, Bizz Loc, Turk, Roney and Jelleestone in recording the track, which aims to convey a powerful, unified message to Torontonians at a time when many lives continue to be lost to senseless gun violence. Mixed by Juno Award-winning sound engineer George Seara, “Wish I Could” was released on streaming services Friday.
Dub J, a Waterloo-based hiphop producer who has worked with artists in Toronto for more than two decades, came up with the idea to assemble a team of both established and emerging hip-hop artists who would use their profile and fan base to share the same anti-gun violence message.
“The multi-generational component combined with the life experiences and knowledge that these artists bring to this song is very powerful. I truly believe this is the most important Canadian hiphop record ever made,” he said in a statement.
During a recent interview, Dub J said he’s been personally impacted many times by gun violence over the years.
Just a year ago on Oct. 29, 2019, his friend and industry colleague Ryan Lorde, a.k.a. Littles, was gunned down in the driveway of his Georgetown home.
Dub J said the rapper and father of three was shot dead just a day after they last chatted on the phone.
He said that painful experience was the “tipping point” that led him to make the decision to use his skills, platform, and network to speak out against gun violence.
“Littles’ passing hit me hard. We had only just reconnected,” shared Dub J, who in July put the wheels in motion to produce the single, which has since evolved into a bigger anti-gun violence campaign called Enough is Enough.
“I think of Enough is Enough as a playlist for people to promote positive things in Toronto,” he said of the initiative, which also rolled out on Oct. 23.
The Enough is Enough movement, which is working to bring national awareness to the heightened acts of gun violence in Toronto, features a logo of a hand holding the CN Tower. This design has been printed on thousands of window and floor decals that will be placed in clothing, jewelry, and record stores, and sneaker shops across the city.
As part of this effort, Dub J said he’s had many conversations with a number of wellknown Toronto directors, including Knemesis and Brown Guy Made This, who have all agreed to no longer shoot videos for artists’ songs that clearly incite gun violence.
“There have been some projects that have even come out in recent weeks that have been the cause of death,” he said, adding it’s not about censorship, but being responsible.
“We all need to do our part to help combat this issue … These are all steps in the right direction.”
Anyone interested in supporting the Enough is Enough movement can do so by donating funds online. All funds collected will be distributed back to communities in Toronto directly impacted by gun violence.
“I’m tired of turning on the news every day and seeing another big gun-down. I’m tired of seeing mothers crying and heartbroken. This is deeper than just gang violence.” JD ERA TORONTO-BASED RAPPER