I first met rapper Cadence Weapon, also known as Rollie Pemberton, while I was working at MuchMusic in Toronto. I remember that my colleagues and I were very excited by the idea of Canada’s next big rap star being a teenager from Edmonton. Since that time, Cadence Weapon has created five albums, served as the poet laureate of Edmonton and won the prestigious Polaris Music Prize for his album Parallel World in 2021.

Last year, Rollie wrote about his struggles with an exploitative record label contract, an issue he also explores in his new memoir, Bedroom Rapper. After reading what he was going through during a years-long setback, I’m in awe of his ability to keep being brilliant, successful and creative without regrets or bitterness. In this episode, I speak with Rollie about his unwavering belief in his art and how he perseveres.

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Bedroom Rapper by Rollie Pemberton

Twitter: @cadenceweapon

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