Cadence Weapon

Rapper, poet, DJ, poet, and journalist Rollie Pemberton makes groundbreaking, thought-provoking, electro-influenced hip-hop as Cadence Weapon. Based in Toronto, Pemberton is the son of New York native Teddy Pemberton, a pioneering DJ who introduced hip-hop to Edmonton, Canada with his CJSR radio show called The Black Experience in Sound in 1980. Inspired by underground emcees like Aesop Rock and MF DOOM and UK grime rappers like Dizzee Rascal, Jme and Skepta, Pemberton hit the scene with dense, incisive rhymes over his own gritty electro-rap beats on his landmark 2005 debut Breaking Kayfabe. Pemberton was named Poet Laureate of Edmonton in 2009. He has shared the stage with De La Soul, Public Enemy, Saul Williams, Santigold, MAVI, Fatboi Sharif and DijahSB. Cadence has toured with Hot Chip, Buck 65, BUSDRIVER, Fat Tony and Super Duty Tough Work. Cadence Weapon won the Polaris Prize for his politically charged 2021 album, Parallel World, which featured Backxwash, Jacques Greene, JIMMY EDGAR and Casey MQ. He released his memoir Bedroom Rapper in 2022 with McClelland & Stewart. He's collaborated with Shad and pHoenix Pagliacci and remixed Grimes and Roots Manuva. Pemberton’s 2024 album ROLLERCOASTER explores the impact of social media and technology on our lives. Featuring elements of hyperpop, electro and synthpop, the album includes collaborations with Loraine James, Machinedrum, Bartees Strange, myst milano., Austra, Joe Goddard, Harrison and Martyn Bootyspoon.