Del Cowie

Del Cowie is a Toronto-based music journalist and editor who has worked as a writer, producer and researcher for the Peabody and International Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary series Hip Hop Evolution. He has also worked as a producer for CBC Music and was hip-hop editor at national music magazine Exclaim! for over a decade. Additionally, he has contributed writing on hip-hop music and culture to NOW, NOISEY and XXL among other publications. Cowie has served as a judge for the Junos, the SOCAN Songwriting Prize and the Prism Prize and has been a member of the Polaris Music Prize jury since its 2006 inception. Since 2015 he has produced and presented Before the 6ix, an ongoing panel discussion focusing on Toronto hip-hop history in association with the Toronto Public Library.

Latest from Del Cowie

Q & A

Jully Black narrates new series about Black artists fighting for fair pay in the music industry

‘History is basically repeating itself just with new wrapping paper,’ said singer-songwriter and stage actor Jully Black, who narrates Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music.

The music industry has exploited Black artists since its inception — and the call for reparations is growing

Many Black artists were denied ‘compensation, control and credit for their creations,’ says legal scholar Kevin Greene.

The legacy of Toronto rapper Devon and his protest anthem 'Mr. Metro'

Devon Martin, who died this summer, is remembered for expressing 'what people were thinking and afraid to say'

How Kresnt is using hip hop to validate his existence as an Afghan-Canadian

The Vancouver MC details his journey from escaping the Taliban to finding creativity in music as a young kid.

Planet Giza's otherworldly sounds

Meet the rising hip-hop trio that emerged from Montreal's underground beat scene.

Canada's first all-Black sketch troupe (unless someone tells them otherwise)

The elevator pitch for the collective is "Canada's finally ready for its first all-Black sketch ensemble, after 400 years in the making."

K-os returns more crucial than ever: 'People need to hear from me right now'

For his first release in 5 years, the Vancouver-based rapper teamed up with Kaytranada for an EP that he says fills a void in today's hip hop.
INTERVIEW

Surf's up: Vinessa Antoine is back in Diggstown and the stakes couldn't be higher

After making Canadian television history in its first season, CBC’s legal drama Diggstown is back with season two premiering on March 4.
FEATURE

Nigel Downer: More than a Bit Playa

The word “relatability” comes up often in conversation with comedian Nigel Downer.

Kaytranada's 'Lite Spots' video wins 2017 Prism Prize

The award is the latest in a series for Kaytranada, who won best electronic artist at the Juno Awards earlier this year and the Polaris Music Prize late last year for his debut album, 99.9%.