RISHAARD A.K.A. SHAMON HARAGE
In the winter of 1989, Toronto, Canada met the future of innovative music. Upon immigrating to the Great White North's hip-hop capital, Trinidadian-born Rishaard Hyndman (a.k.a. Shamon Harage) immediately began utilizing his already musically influenced lifestyle by channeling his talents through his newfound friend: hip-hop. The perfect blend of raw energy, crisp wit and soulful raspiness, Rishaard's voice is one of the most distinct in T-dot's large hip-hop community. He, however, has remained in the 'background' as one of the members of the underground collection known as Monolith.
Experiencing, learning and analyzing the rap game for the past few years, Rishaard is now more than ready to break through the wall of anonymity and become a major player as a solo recording artist. As a member of Monolith, Rishaard helped to found the independent label, One Rock Records. Together with his crew in 1998, he released "The Long Awaited...", a six-track EP that shattered the boundaries previously placed in the Canadian hip-hop market. Without a major label or distributor, Monolith sold over 2000 cassettes and subsequent 12" singles featuring the cuts "Bye D'Plenty" and "At The T.O.P.", made popular, in part, by Rishaard's flows. As one of the featured MCs in the lead single "At The T.O.P.", Rishaard made his music video debut in September 1998. With the video in rotation for several months on Canada's premier music station, MuchMusic, Rishaard also joined his crew in a number of live television performances and interviews on "RapCity" and "DaMix".
Further proving his ability to shred mics, the new millenium saw Rishaard deliver unforgettable rhymes on fellow Monolith member Dan-e-o's The Book of Daniel album in "Peanut Butter Danish". In 2003, Rishaard was also featured on Irs' Juno-nominated Welcome To Planet Irs LP in “M.W.O.”. In 2005, Rishaard appeared on one of Monolith's biggest club bangers to date. Along with Jamaican reggae superstar, Red Rat, Rishaard lead off in the single “Kama Sutra” from Dan-e-o's sophomore album See No Evil, Hear No Evil - a Calypso-tinged classic accompanied by a music video that has received over one million views on YouTube!
Rishaard has already had more than his fair share of stage experience. No stranger to a live audience, he has toured across Canada and the U.S. sharing the stage with some of
hip-hop's heaviest hitters including Masta Killa, Jeru The Damaja, Young Buck and Mobb Deep. Set to make a bigger impact than he ever has before and ready to establish himself as a true lyrical heavyweight, Rishaard released the mixtape Confessions Of A Prick?! in 2006. The CD featured the underground hit, "Let It Out" featuring Universal Music recording artist, Toya Alexus of "Pop Stars" fame. "Let It Out", a funk-infused club banger worthy of being a Canadian summer anthem, showcased Rishaard describing his own playful party antics. This single, however, was only the tip of the iceberg.
In 2009, Rishaard will release his debut full-length album, Now Or Never: Rishaard Riots. Promising to set a new standard for Canadian artists, this LP represents Rishaard's next step towards ultimate success. Toronto's newest soloist is set to break grounds. Prepare yourself for the riot...Rishaard is about to blow!