Currently based in Vancouver is one of the country's most exciting up and coming hip hop duos, OKAY CITY, consisting of Ray Black and Bill Maka. This week they're en route to Toronto for a much-anticipated show at The Drake Underground on Friday (here). livemusicTO wanted to take the opportunity to catch up with one of the members, Ray Black - check it out:
lmTO: When did you guys first meet and decide to start working together?Okay City met up in London Ontario around 2005, but didn't official set the stage as the duo until 2007. We were doing shows supporting one another on stage and had realized we had such great chemistry on stage we deicide to combine our talents into one.
lmTO: Where did the name Okay City come from?The name Okay City originated from both our hometowns, Ray Black From Oakville Ont. Bill Maka From Kitchener Ont. and London is also known as the Forest City where Okay City was founded.
lmTO: We know from reading your bio that your music careers started in Ontario but more recently moved to BC, what made you move and has it been beneficial for your music?We've both always wanted to come out to the west coast. Bill moved to Vancouver about 6 or 7 months before me and finally convinced me to pack up my bags. No regrets. Definitely has been beneficial. The scenery and entire vibe of the city is very inspiring.
lmTO: Where do you get inspiration for lyrics and what is the message you want Okay City to communicate?We inspire eachother and always pushing one another to grow as artists. Being outside or being in the studio really helps.. it's all about being in the right comfortable environment. There's not a specific message that we put out. We just make music we enjoy and that people can relate to. Touching on different subject matters.. fear.. pain.. everyday struggle..love.. and just feeling good. We speak alot from experience.
lmTO: From your experience, how does the hip hop audience differ from East to West?It's a prety vast difference. Alot of cats embrace it out here. Not to say that they don't out east.. but the scene is really small. Everyone knows eachother and there are alot of talented artists. The common stereotype of the west coast is that everyone is really chilled out, which is true, but when it comes to a hip hop show... these peeps know how to wild out!
lmTO: Any insights you’d like to share with our readers about the state of the hip hop genre in Canada?There's soo many talented hip hop artists' in this country. On many levels, some have a following, some don't. but there's only so much you can do here. If at least 3 of our provinces each had the population of our entire country.. then the scene in any genre would be incredibly different. There's just not enough people in Canada but theres still alot of opportunity here..especially when it comes to funding. Its a blessing.
lmTO: Okay City has shared stages with well known artists like Swollen Members and Hilltop Hoods, what are some of the most memorable moments while performing alongside those artists?That's a tough one.. whenever we step on the stage..no matter if we are opening for a well known name or headlining a show... theres always memorable moments...and plenty of tour stories. If i have to pick one... from the tour with Hilltop Hoods.. we played a date in Calgary.. our first time in that city... a sold out crowd of 600 and no one knew who or what Okay City was... and by the 2nd song of our set.. we had every single person chantin our name.. and jumpin off their feet..it was an incredible feeling!
lmTO: What’s coming next for Okay City?We are just about to do a couple shows back in Ontario.. first time in a year... so we are really looking forward to that. I'm releasing a Ray Black free online mixtape this spring. Bill Maka is working on his solo album which will be out this year. As well we are always workin on new material.. keep checkin our sites for downloads:
http://facebook.com/okaycity
http://myspace.com/okaycithiphop
http://twitter.com/okaycityhiphop
Email: itsokayinthecity@gmail.com
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by Matt Vardy 
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