Cale Sampson is a Canadian hip hop artist from Toronto, Ontario. He is noted for his intricate rhyme schemes, energetic stage presence, and aptitude as a storytelling emcee. He began rapping at age 9 and as a teenager started performing under the pseudonym “Cale the Lyricist”. Inspired by the 'golden era' of hip hop, he has highlighted Wu-Tang Clan and KRS-One on numerous occasions. In 2002 he became a member of the group Rhythmicru. This collective was part of a new wave of underground acts that emerged during the late 1990s/early 2000s, and in 2003 they released their debut LP 'Open Canvas'. The album received wide critical acclaim, led by Sampson's groundbreaking solo track ‘The Facts of War’ which Jason Richards of NOW Magazine called “the most incendiary anti-war track ever created” (Jan. 22nd, 2003 ). This song exposed Rhythmicru's music to a whole new market and helped add the label of “outspoken political hip hop artist” to Sampson's reputation. Appealing to both underground and mainstream audiences, his subject matter is very diverse. Prominent themes in Cale's music include references to his status within the Canadian hip hop community, his relationship with his mother (a notable song being 'It's Not Time'), and a recurring focus on promoting a positive message. He also addresses topics ranging from the potentially negative impacts of genetic research to several no-nonsense ruminations about his personal life. Punch lines and vivid imagery are also trademarks of Cale Sampson's rhyming style. He has opened for such acts as Guru from Gang Starr, Pete Rock, Non Phixion, and Atmosphere, among others. He has traveled across North America as part of the legendary Vans Warped Tour. He has also performed in Asia, most notably when his group Rhythmicru headlined the 2007 Spring Scream Music Festival in Taiwan. The year 2009 marks a significant turning point in Sampson’s career. In order to whet Cale’s listener’s appetites, he will release his long awaited debut solo album aptly titled ‘Cale Sampson’. Collaborators include acclaimed Canadian hip hop producers Classified ( Roycs da 5'9, Choclair )and DJ Kemo ( Akon, Kardinal Offishall ). The album is expected to be one of the most lyrically creative and personal Canadian rap releases to date. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.