Kardinal Offishall

Biography

Jason Drew Harrow, professionally known as Kardinal Offishall, is a Canadian rapper, record producer, and record executive born on May 11, 1976. Often called Canada's "hip-hop ambassador," he is recognized for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop. Raised in Toronto by Jamaican immigrant parents, his upbringing in areas like Scarborough and Oakwood-Vaughan heavily influenced his musical style. He began rapping at age eight and by twelve, he was winning competitions. A significant early moment in his career was performing on stage during Nelson Mandela's first visit to Toronto in 1990. In 1993, he adopted the name Kardinal Offishall, inspired by the 17th-century French statesman Cardinal Richelieu, and co-founded the hip-hop collective The Circle.

Career Beginnings

Kardinal Offishall's career took off in the mid-1990s within Toronto's underground hip-hop scene. His first single, "Naughty Dread," released in 1996, was featured on the "Rap Essentials Volume One" compilation and earned him a Juno Award nomination. He released his debut album, "Eye & I," in 1997. A major milestone came in 1998 when he was featured on the Rascalz's groundbreaking single "Northern Touch," which won a Juno Award. He signed with MCA Records in 2000 and released his major-label debut album, "Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1," in 2001. This album featured the hit singles "BaKardi Slang," which popularized Toronto's nickname "T-dot," and "Ol' Time Killin'."

Rise to International Fame

Despite early success, his follow-up album with MCA was shelved when the label was absorbed by Geffen Records. He then released "Fire and Glory" in 2005 through Virgin Canada, which included the hit "Everyday (Rudebwoy)". A significant turning point was signing with Akon's Kon Live Distribution in 2007. His 2008 album, "Not 4 Sale," featured the massive international hit "Dangerous," with Akon. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, a first for a Canadian rapper, and achieved triple-platinum status in Canada. He also featured on Akon's hit "Beautiful" and Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" remix.

Later Career and Executive Roles

After parting ways with Kon Live, Kardinal Offishall launched his own independent label, Black Stone Colleagues Inc. In 2013, he took on an executive role as the Creative Executive Director of A&R for Universal Music Canada. He was later promoted to Senior Vice-President of A&R in 2021, becoming the first Black person to hold that position at a major Canadian label. He also serves as the Global A&R for Def Jam Records. In addition to his music and executive work, he is a judge on the television show "Canada's Got Talent" and is a dedicated philanthropist, hosting the annual Kardi Christmas Party charity event.

Discography Highlights

Studio Albums:

- Eye & I (1997)
- Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 (2001)
- Fire and Glory (2005)
- Not 4 Sale (2008)
- Kardi Gras, Vol. 1: The Clash (2015)

Hit Singles:

- "BaKardi Slang" (2001)
- "Ol' Time Killin'" (2001)
- "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" (2005)
- "Dangerous" ft. Akon (2008)
- "Numba 1 (Tide is High)" ft. Rihanna or Keri Hilson (2008)
- "Body Bounce" ft. Akon (2010)