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Culture

Cadence Weapon Announces New Book 'Ways of Listening'

The Polaris Prize-winning Hamilton-based rapper also known as Rollie Pemberton is writing a collection of personal and critical essays about how we listen to music.

Rollie Pemberton a.k.a. Cadence Weapon

Rollie Pemberton a.k.a. Cadence Weapon

Mat Dunlap

Edmonton-born, Hamilton-based rapper, producer and writer Cadence Weapon (a.k.a Rollie Pemberton) is writing his second book. Ways Of Listening is a book of essays that follows Pemberton’s 2021 memoir Bedroom Rapper.

While the release date for the second book hasn’t been announced, the Polaris Music Prize-winning artist says via X that the collection of essays will explore “the joys of obscurity, the power of nostalgia, race’s role in sound quality, what we’re really searching for when we dig for records and more.”


Pemberton’s second book also delves into the “obsession with the “mysterious artist” archetype” and the “racial disparity in the remastering of music." Ways Of Listening’s publishing rights have been sold to McClelland & Stewart, a branch of Penguin Random House Canada.

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Pemberton's previous book, Bedroom Rapper, is an autobiography, but it also meditates on certain themes: how a music scene forms, the evolution of music journalism and exploitative record label deals. So Ways Of Listening should delve deeper into explorations of music topics in a more explicit way.

Pemberton is known for being vocal when it comes to issues in the music industry. Previously, the artist launched a campaign to help artists keep their merchandise profits. He is also the first Atkinson Artist, collaborating with the Atkinson Foundation to explore making art within the context of the decent work movement.

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Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Cowboys Fringants
Chart Beat

Les Cowboys Fringants Debut ‘Merci ben!’ on the Billboard Canada AC Airplay Chart

The track from the Quebec band enters at No. 30 over a year after its release, picking up steam on the radio airwaves. Ariane Moffatt's “Jouer” also reaches a new peak, marking the second consecutive week with two charting French songs.

French-language music makes its mark on the Canadian charts this week.

Les Cowboys Fringants have made their latest Billboard debut with their song “Merci ben!” which arrives at No. 30 on the Canada AC chart for May 10. The country-folk track finds the band thanking its fans while reminiscing on its beginnings and milestones, from playing small bars to sold-out arenas. The track’s title is Quebec jargon for “Thank you very much!”

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