Del Cowie is an established music and pop culture journalist and documentary producer who has contributed to print and online outlets such as CBC Music, NOISEY, Complex, NOW and Exclaim!
This Is Pop
I worked as a writer on three episodes of the CTV/Netflix music docuseries This Is Pop, which examines untold stories from pop music history, focusing on Boyz II Men, Britpop and protest music.
This is not a Drake podcast
I worked as a producer of this limited series CBC Podcast. Breaking down seminal moments in Drake's career to explore the history and evolution of hip-hop, R&B, gender dynamics, and Black culture. This podcast won the 2021 RTDNA Award for Best Podcast and was also nominated for a Prix Italia Award.
Hip-Hop Evolution
I worked as an associate producer and writer for the award-winning Netflix documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution. The documentary series won an International Emmy for best arts programming, a Peabody award in the Documentary category and 2 Canadian Screen Awards.
From Brampton to Lagos, Falana Can’t Stop Rising
For Brampton-born, Lagos-based singer Falana, the mantra to “keep it moving”—an oft-invoked pledge on her latest single “Joy”—is not an empty motivational statement, but an accurate aspirational statement she manifests on a daily basis.
‘Never Let Anyone Make You Feel Small’: Rochelle Jordan Is Done Being Boxed In
Re-emerging after seven years with a new album in tow, the L.A. based, Toronto-raised and UK-born singer Rochelle Jordan has clearly taken time in the interim to tap deeply into her musical heritage and familial lineage.
Toronto's Ebhoni Is a Bad Gyal Being Her Best Self
When Toronto singer Ebhoni describes herself as a “hot gyal trying to make it in a cold world,” it’s not just a catchy mantra. The oppositional nature of the phrase is intentional, giving you insight into how Ebhoni’s personality manifests itself in her music, often taking a situation and flipping it on its head.
Beatchild's new nostalgia
Beatchild's career has often been hidden in plain sight. This can be attributed to his chameleon-like work across many different genres — traversing pop, house, rock, hip-hop and R&B — and to the way he shapes these sounds to fit his various personas.
Byram Joseph began as Slakah the Beatchild, and has since issued solo and collaborative projects under the Slakadeliqs, the Art of Fresh, Sandie Black and now, simply Beatchild.
Dvsn Are Making New Nostalgia
Dvsn are unbothered by life in the quarantine era. While other acts have carefully considered whether to drop albums in the current social distancing climate, the OVO Sound duo have forged ahead with releasing their third album amid what seems to be a low-key Toronto R&B season.
Amaal Talks Going From Political to Personal on Her Juno-Nominated EP
For Amaal, finding out her EP Black Dove was nominated for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the Junos was a vindication of following her passion. “It’s a lot of emotions, actually,” says the Toronto-based singer. “When it happened, the first thought was that I’m so excited for my family, my mum, and my dad. I can’t wait to share this news with them.” Amaal’s reasons for wanting to share the news with her parents took on an extra significance—because her father thought she was already nominat...
Boi-1da Talks Working on Sci-Fi Hip-Hop Series 'Utopia Falls'
With a high-profile production career and a reputation as one of the main aural architects behind Drake, Boi-1da—who has also produced for the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Kanye West—is in the enviable position of having the luxury to pick the projects he chooses to work on. Recently, that has meant expanding his sonic footprint into the world of television.
Q&A: Betty Davis looks back at her fiery funk legacy
A rare interview with the 70s legend, who's back in the spotlight with a documentary about her uncompromising and influential career.
In memoriam: Swiff LaRoc, 1970-2018
Influential Toronto hip-hop producer Swiff LaRoc, also known as Born Swiff, passed away from cancer on July 31. He was 47 years old. As one-third of hip-hop production team Da Grassroots, Swiff (born Howard Nicholson in Kingston, Jamaica), emerged at a critical time in Toronto hip-hop history.
Review: The Internet - Hive Mind
Back in 2011 when co-founders Syd and Matt Martians debuted the project as a skeletal funk offshoot of Odd Future, you'd never guess how far they'd come
Why Northern Touch still matters
It’s been 20 years since one of Canada’s most important hip-hop songs was released.
Northern Touch – featuring Vancouver hip-hop vanguards the Rascalz, fellow Van City MC Checkmate as well as Toronto’s Choclair, Kardinal Offishall and Thrust – has recaptured attention recently in the wake of its landmark anniversary.
Why Clyde Stubblefield's 'Funky Drummer' is the most important drum solo ever
While he was known in his prime for his drumming on classic late-1960s and early '70s James Brown material such as "Cold Sweat" and the Sex Machine LP, Stubblefield's drumming found a new lease on life through sampling in the late '80s and early '90s.