Mathematik HHV Records 12 Items

Toronto in Boom-Bap Attire

Growing up in Toronto during the 80s and 90s, Lyndon Dash, also known as Mathematik, evolved into a versatile hip hop artist. He began dancing at a young age, and in 1997, together with his crew Down Ta Erf, he released their first self-titled album. It showcased a classic 90s style, with Mathematik flowing over groovy jazz and boom-bap beats, produced by his colleagues Steely Dan und Wal, and it also embodied the tradition that marked a part of the golden era of the genre, resonating both in the Canadian underground and on the East Coast. That same year, the crew appeared on the Rap Essentials sampler by the Canadian Beatfactory label. The influences are clearly derived from legends like A Tribe Called Quest and KRS-One, while stylistic comparisons with underground heroes such as Main Source and Boogiemonsters are inevitable. The Toronto scene, from which artists like Drake would later emerge, provided fertile ground for up-and-coming MCs, producers, DJs, breakdancers, and everything in between rap battles and street life – this is where Mathematik found his place by establishing himself as an MC, learning the craft of DJing, and soon creating his own beats.

A Prophet without Pathos

Although the lyrical approach of the multitalented artist follows a formula, it doesn‘t change the fact that his style could hardly be replicated like simple mathematics. The rapper’s high vocal range and intricate rhymes soon made him a local celebrity, and it all began rolling with his solo album, Ecology, released in 1999. Tracks like Formation and Learn to Earn impress with their simplistic structure and a flow rooted in tradition. Mathematik remains true to the underground and sees his lyrics not just as a basis for battles but as a conduit for wisdom and poetry that aims to move the listener. With a wealth of wordplay and his laid-back demeanor, he deliveres prophetic verses without excessive pathos, making him one of the pioneers of conscious rap in the Toronto scene. Mathematik is a hip hop fundamentalist who takes the true sound of the ever-evolving genre seriously. This is also evident in his collaborations, which span across various names and generated attention through the years. He recorded his single Following Goals with Bahamadia, a rap heavyweight from Philadelphia, and additionally, he garnered recognition through his work with K-Cut from the rap crew Main Source, the duo Citizen Kane as well as the Dream Warriors, among countless others.

About the Desire to Better Himself

Mathematik’s work is far from over, as the MC demonstrates through ever-new solo releases such as No Division, which was released in 2005. On this album, he plays with soul influences and showcases his adaptability to a diverse array of beats. Whether it’s tracks like the stomping Was, Is, Will or the rhythmically unorthodox Still the Same, his constant lyrical and philosophical development is evident. He further emphasizes this growth with his 2019 album, ReAL/iS-HiM, stating, “I have more wisdom lyrically and speak out on more diverse topics … from the social and racial injustice all around us, to the regular struggles of life, and wanting to do better in mind, body and soul.” Tracks like The Motive, inspired by hip hop classics, showcase Mathematik’s determined spirituality as well as his realism. He is also unafraid to reexamine and renew past works from a new perspective, and that‘s precisely what he does with his 2022 album, No Division Vol. 2, which picks up where the first part left off and seeks to find its place in the here and now. “Life is confusing at this point / But I gotta keep myself together.”