Polished but still fresh

“Polished but still fresh.” – Sweatshop Union Local.604 A conglomerate of west coast independent hip-hop artists, Sweat Shop Union combines the artistry, beats and words of Dirty Circus, Creative Minds, Innocent bystanders and Kyprios in to both a collaborative effort …

Original beats and stylish rhymes

“Original beats and stylish rhymes.” The Vancouver hip-hop collective Sweatshop Union is back with their sophomore release Natural Progression. With original beats and stylish rhymes, the Union has put out a great album. A healthy mix of up-beat and laid-back …

4 out of 5 – Natural Progression

“Substance and style working in perfect equilibrium.” 4 out of 5 – Natural Progression I remember seeing a cheese-ass Sweatshop Union video last year that made me think, "Oh my god, anoth… I remember seeing a cheese-ass Sweatshop Union video …

Solid, progressive hip hop.

“Solid, progressive hip hop. 8 out of 10.” Fans of the Canadian Hiphop underground may already be well aware of groups like Dirty Circus, Innocent Bystanders, Kyprios, and Creative Minds. For the rest of us though, the decision by these …

Solid beats and conscious lyrics

“Solid beats and conscious lyrics. A powerful antidote for vacant pop-rap.” Sweatshop Union have always had solid beats and conscious lyrics on their side, but now they’ve overcome the inconsistency that marked their previous two releases. The members of Dirty …

Clever and astute.

“Clever and astute. United We Fall hits the mark both viscerally and intellectually.” “Once you open your eyes, there ain’t no going back to closing your mind,” raps Mos Eisley on “Lead the Way,” one of 15 highly intelligent and …

Inventive, intelligent, and illuminating

“Inventive, intelligent, and illuminating hip hop.” When you're in a seven-member band, there are advantages to crossing the country with another seven-member band. Twice the fun? Yeah, that's part of it, says a weary Dusty Melodica from West Coast hip …


Soulful, conscientious hip-hop

“Soulful, conscientious hip-hop” Vancouver’s hip-hop group with a social conscience, Sweatshop Union, has come a long way since it released “The Truth We Speak” off its debut Local 604 over five years ago. Now its fourth record, Water Street, named …

Top Ten Albums of 2008

"Water Street is a stellar outing." – Top Ten albums of 2008 4. Sweatshop Union – Water Street The heat recently brought by the Pacific Northwest extends north of the border with this stellar outing from the Vancouver hip-hop collective. …

A boom-bap masterstroke – Water Street

"4 out of 4 stars! A boom-bap masterstroke." – Water Street Sometimes the greatest discs are the ones you least expect. Water Street doesn't even look like a r… Sometimes the greatest discs are the ones you least expect. Water …

Sweatshop Union Present Three New Albums This Summer

Sweatshop Union Present Three New Albums This Summer Veteran Canadian rap icons Sweatshop Union and Canada’s preeminent hip-hop label URBNET are pleased to announce a new partnership which will see three brand new Sweatshop Union releases on URBNET this summer. …

Pure power

"Pure power." – Pigeon Hole first single “Light Show” f. D-Sisive Here is the latest single from Pigeon Hole’s upcoming project, Age Like Astronauts, which will be av… Here is the latest single from Pigeon Hole’s upcoming project, Age Like …

Pigeon Hole first single leaked

Pigeon Hole first single leaked – Light Show ft D-Sisive Light Show is the first leak from the Pigeon Hole (of Sweatshop Union) album Age Like Astronauts. The entire record is produced by the westcoast mc/producer duo & features guest …

Class of June 2010: Call for Support

Class of June 2010: Call for Support West coast hip-hop mainstay Sweatshop Union is releasing 3 albums on June 15th from various members of the group. The 3 projects include Sweatshop Union Presents: DIRTY CIRCUS – Alive And Well, Sweatshop …

Jolts of Caffeine between

"jolts of caffeine between enjoyable stretches of relaxing listening." – Pigeon Hole Vancouver, B.C. – Pigeon Hole, made up of emcees Mr. Marmalade and Dusty Melodica from the Sweatshop Union family, is releasing their debut album as an independent act, …