Black Jays

Black Jays is a Canadian independent record label, production company, and musical collective, specializing in hip-hop, R&B, and reggae music. Founded in 2000 by rappers Kardinal Offishall and Solitair, it was originally known as Silver House and the Girl (S.H.A.G.). In 2004, the group came to prominence after releasing a remix album and mixtape. The Toronto-based group's name is derived from the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team.

History Kardinal Offishall and Solitair are members of The Circle, a hip-hop collective which was formed in the 1990s.Kardinal Offishall - Session Transcript Red Bull Music Academy. Accessed on May 12, 2009. In 2000, they founded the S.H.A.G. production company.Featured Artist: Kardinal Offishall HipHopCanada. Accessed on May 12, 2009. The next year, the company's logo and credits appeared on Kardinal's major-label debut, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. In 2004, now known as the Black Jays, Kardinal and Solitair produced The Black Jays Album, a remixed version of The Black Album by Jay-Z. The New York Times reviewed the album, stating that the production team "links minimalism to reggae.""Silver, Brown, Gray: Jay-Z Every Which Way" Jon Pareles. The New York Times, March 7, 2004. Accessed on May 12, 2009.

Later that year, the Black Jays released a mixtape entitled Kill Bloodclott Bill. Led by Kardinal, the mixtape was aimed at major labels, "Bill", as a result of Kardinal's label problems with MCA Records in 2003.Kardinal Offishall - Man on Fire Exclaim!. Accessed on May 12, 2009. "Bang Bang", a song from the mixtape, was nominated for a Juno Award in 2005. Kill Bloodclott Bill featured new artists on the group's roster, including Ro Dolla (a member of The Circle), Lindo P, and Mayhem Morearty. Solitair also released a mixtape in 2004, entitled The Return of the Silver Surfer.Interview with Black Jays HipHopCanada. Accessed on May 12, 2009.

In 2005, Mayhem left the group and recorded a diss track over Kardinal's song "Husslin'". A year later, Kardinal responded to the diss track when he released a remix of "City Is Mine" by Drake.Featured Artist/Guest Editor: Mayhem Morearty HipHopCanada. Accessed on May 12, 2009. Additionally, in 2005, Kardinal released his third album, Fire and Glory, on Black Jays through a co-venture with Virgin Music Canada. Kardinal produced three songs for his 2008 album, Not 4 Sale, under the Black Jays label.

Black Jays International In 2007, a division of Black Jays, known as Black Jays International, was created. Members include Estelle, Cipha Sounds, Black Chiney, Nina Sky, and Nottz.

Roster

Artists Kardinal Offishall Solitair Estelle Nina Sky

DJs and producers Cipha Sounds Black Chiney Nottz

Discography

Albums Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 (2001) Fire and Glory (2005) Not 4 Sale (2008)

Remix albums The Black Jays Album (2004)

Mixtapes Kill Bloodclott Bill (2004)

Black Jays

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