Previously known as The Messenger, impresario Jawn Toboika (President and Director of Recordings at 1812 Entertainment Ltd.) has now adopted the moniker Blackboltt for the follow-up to 2009’s No Soliciting. Calgary-born and currently Toronto based, the smooth operator worked with heavyweights Muneshine and Rich Kidd on Leader of the Opposition (L.O.T.O). The album was engineered by Fresh Kils, and features a variety of 1812 recording artists. The Messenger’s delivery is mellow, and his lyrics are powerful and attractive. The narratives are harmonious and admonish the Canadian contemporary experience. The last track “Ballot Box,” featuring Zuluflow and Tomy Berwick, includes a spoken word proclamation ‘sui generis’ directed towards Layton's New Democratic Party and Elections Canada, amongst other foci. (L.O.T.O) should prove an exciting foray into the year 2013 for Blackboltt, ‘uti possidetis juris.’

By Tristin Norenberg-Goodmanson
Oct 6, 2012