BaKardi Slang

"BaKardi Slang" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. Produced by Solitair, it was the first single from his second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. The single was released in Canada in 2000, before being re-released in the U.S. the following year.[1] It became his first single to appear on a Billboard chart, as well as his first Top 40 hit as a solo artist in Canada.

"BaKardi Slang"
Single by Kardinal Offishall
from the album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
B-side"Ol' Time Killin'"
Released2000 (Canada)
2001 (U.S.)
Recorded2000
GenreCanadian hip hop
Length4:33
LabelMCA Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Solitair
Kardinal Offishall singles chronology
"Money Jane"
(2000)		 "BaKardi Slang"
(2000)		 "Ol' Time Killin'"
(2001)

Background

"BaKardi Slang" was the last song recorded for the Quest for Fire album. According to Kardinal, the song "almost never happened."[2] He was about to drive to a casino with Solitair, and as he backed out of his driveway, Solitair put his beat tape in the system. After Kardinal heard the first beat on the tape (the song's eventual beat), he drove back home and recorded the song.[2]

The anthemic song's lyrics depict the vibe in Toronto.[2] Kardinal breaks down the city's slang in each verse, similar to Big L's song "Ebonics".[3] In the chorus, he refers to himself as "Kardi", which is his nickname. The song popularized Toronto's nickname "T-dot", and became an instant hit in the city.[4][5]

After the single became popular in Jamaica, dancehall artist Bounty Killer recorded a remix of the song with Kardinal, known as "BaKardi Slang Refix".[2] The song appeared on Bounty Killer's 2002 album Ghetto Dictionary: The Mystery.

Music video

The music video, directed by Kevin De Freitas, begins with Kardinal rapping in the streets of Toronto, before going into a club. Later on, he drives a Hummer through various Toronto neighbourhoods, including Regent Park, Oakwood-Vaughan, and Jane and Finch.

Track listing

12" single

A-side

  1. "BaKardi Slang" (Radio Edit)
  2. "BaKardi Slang" (LP Version)
  3. "BaKardi Slang" (Instrumental)

B-side

  1. "Ol' Time Killin'" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Ol' Time Killin'" (LP Version)

Chart positions
Chart (2001) Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart 19
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles[6] 37

References
  1. Kardinal Offishall - Bakardi Slang / UR Ghetto 2002 Discogs. Accessed on December 18, 2008.
  2. Kardinal Offishall - Session Transcript Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine Red Bull Music Academy. Accessed on December 18, 2008.
  3. Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1: Kardinal Offishall: Music Amazon. Accessed on December 18, 2008.
  4. BaKardi on the rock JAM! Music. Accessed on September 23, 2009.
  5. Kardinal Offishall Biography Archived 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine MapleMusic. Accessed on December 18, 2008.
  6. Artist Chart History - Kardinal Offishall Billboard. Accessed on December 18, 2008.


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