Birth Through Knowledge

Birth Through Knowledge (aka BTK) were a Canadian rap rock band best known for their 1998 single "Peppyrock." Core members of the group were DJs Stone Groove and Lo-Ki.[1]

Birth Through Knowledge
Also known asBTK
OriginToronto, Canada
GenresHip hop, rap rock
LabelsTommy Boy/Ignition Records

History

The roots of BTK began with a chance meeting of Lo-Ki and Stone Groove on a subway in 1993.[2] Their early musical influences were Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash.[2] The group independently released an EP titled Birth Through Knowledge in 1995.[3]

BTK's single "Corncob Pipe" was included on the sampler disc that Korn released alongside Follow the Leader and they won the 1997 MuchMusic Best Independent Video Award for "Superchile" after the song had been in heavy rotation on the station. They became the first indie band to open the main-stage at Edgefest '97.[4]

After signing to the now-defunct Ignition Records (an alternative rock label affiliated with Tommy Boy Records), BTK released their only full-length album, also titled Birth Thru Knowledge, in 1998.[5][3] The album was an upbeat mixture of rap, hip hop and guitar work.[6]

Also in 1998, BTK opened for Beastie Boys,[7] Kid Rock,[8] and played several dates with Our Lady Peace, including Summersault Festival in Shediac, New Brunswick.[9][10] Drummer Matt DeMatteo left the band in 1998 to continue his work as a recording engineer.

They performed along with Alanis Morissette during her 1999 Junkie Tour.[11] and performed in Toronto at the El Macombo.[12] Also that year, their music video for "Peppyrock" was nominated for MuchMusic Best Video.[6]

BTK was nominated for a Juno Award in 1999 in the Best Alternative Album category (ultimately losing to Rufus Wainwright).[13][14] The band's last known performance was at the Warehouse in Toronto in December 1999.

After the group disbanded, DeMatteo worked for two recording studios and then opened Record High Productions in December 2000. Bassist Adam Carlo rejoined his brother in his previous thrash metal band Razor in 2002. Turntablist DJ Spinz continued as a DJ, served as art director for Sudden Def Recordings, became part-owner of the promotion company Soul in Motion.[8] Drummer Sam Cino continued performing as a drummer with several Ontario groups.[15][16]

Members
  • Lo-Ki (vocals)
  • Stone Groove (vocals)
  • DJ Spinz (turntables)
  • Adam Carlo (bass)
  • Sam Cino (drums, percussion)
  • Matt DeMatteo (drums until 1998)
  • Mighty AOR (drums 1998-1999)

Discography
  • Birth Through Knowledge EP (1995)
  • Birth Through Knowledge LP (1998)

References
  1. "BTK : Mix univers". Voir, 21 October 1998
  2. "BTK Weaving Tapestry Rap" (PDF). Canadian Musician Magazine.
  3. "B.T.K. Birth Through Knowledge Ignition/BMG, 1998". Voir Album Guide, Laurent Saulnier 2 September 1998
  4. "Edwin to leave band after Edgefest gig". Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017. Jam!, via canoe.com
  5. "BTK Birth Through Knowledge". Space City Rock, Issue 2.
  6. "REVIEW: B.T.K., _B.T.K._ (Ignition)". CONSUMABLE ONLINE, Issue 156, 28 September 1998. by Franklin Johnson
  7. "BeastieMania.com - Gigography".
  8. "SPINZ - Official global DJ Ratings".
  9. "Band set to tumble into Summersault". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  10. "Thompson Arena, London - Feb. 9, 1998". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  11. Karen Fournier (16 January 2015). The Words and Music of Alanis Morissette. ABC-CLIO. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4408-3069-3.
  12. "Live Reviews: B.T.K. March 5, 1999 The El Mocambo, Toronto, ON". Chart Attack, review by Jim Kelly.
  13. "Juno Awards Database". junoawards.ca/database/. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  14. Celine Dion leads Juno Award nominations. CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc. 15 February 1999. pp. 7–. ISSN 0890-0795.
  15. "Microbunny Dead Stars". Exclaim!. By Tabassum Siddiqui, 1 Jan 2006
  16. "King Cobb Steelie Destroy All Codes". By Michael Barclay, 1 Jan 2006
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