For a city that’s really a glorified small town, Fredericton has a thoroughly diverse soundscape. Jazz and Blues is a source of community pride, DJ’s and dance acts are thriving, metal is an underground, sleeping behemoth, and indie-hipster rock rules supreme at most venues. Unfortunately, some genres tend to get lost amongst all the competing noise.
For over ten years Eric Claybourne, aka Ceeb Dread, has been leading the Fredericton rap/hip-hop movement with his seasoned yet unique brand of boom bap. An import from Montreal, Ceeb came to New Brunswick at a young age in a personal quest to forge his own path distinct from his family and roots. In January he dropped his latest album, simply titled “The 5th.”
This is a different side of the Freddy Beach aesthetic. A departure from the conventions of not only the city’s individual, insular scenes, but of the province, and region itself.
“Get On Down” is a hit club track in waiting. It is easily the most mainstream-esque cut on the album, rife with beats that would demand the dance floor to be bouncing with moving bodies. Later on, “Pour Some Liquor Out” brings an energy that could make the stiffest of skeletons shake what they have.
For me, the honour of top song is a tie between “Feel The Sunshine” and “Life’s A Music Box.” There is shared message of feeling that one should indulge in servitude. It is clear that Ceeb wants to give back. He adheres to a higher calling, charging not only himself, but his peers, with stewardship over the youth of his neighbourhood. Set a good example, motivate and embolden the next generation!
Later on this call to action is more blatantly reinforced in,“Starts With Me (featuring 2bad)” a deceptively happy-go-lucky, super catchy melody, with dark, jaded undertones. Ceeb practices what he preaches, taking personal accountability by acknowledging (while simultaneously challenging others):
“The world’s in need of change, this I see,
But if it’s gonna change it, it starts with me.
There is lots of pain, this is true…
but if you’re gonna change, it starts with you.”
Other highlights include: “We Da North” which is a quintessentially Canadian anthem, musing about hockey and Winter weather woes in general. “Two Sides 2 Every Story” which is done in A Capella. Despite some lengthy and awkward silent stretches between verses, when the rapping does start, it’s actually not noticeable that the music is missing. This demonstrates how Ceeb’s vocals are the most important instrument in his arsenal, complimented by guest artist, Levi, who provides a bass backup.
With choruses that could hook the most picky pop-music listener and verses that would impress English majors, this work is nuanced on many levels. It has mass appeal and thematically touches upon issues that are very specific to New Brunswick, while at the same time reverberating with a more worldly timelessness.
Ceeb draws attention to some of the more problematic affairs that afflict Atlantic Canadians. Federal politicians and pundits are accustomed to insisting that the Maritimes are engulfed in “a culture of defeat.” The 5th outlines some of the overly strenuous struggles that local artists face: what keeps one going, keeps one creating? Is it possible to tap a source of inspiration in such an economically depraved area? With such inadequate funding for the arts, it is feasible to make a living doing what you love?
Answers are not necessarily readily available on the album… but through his rhymes, this poet offers a clear thesis statement that is best summed up in a one simple, anti-capitalist sentiment; “There’s folks still dyin’ over dollar bills,” from the song, “I Suggest Ya Chill.” Despite the hardships – even when on the brink of poverty – the battle for art and self expression is ultimately worth it.