Born Cainin Hopeton Alliman Jr the second, Cainin Krow, was born on November 8, 1987 in Oshawa Ontario. At the age of five, after the birth of his youngest brother, he moved to Victoria, B.C. where he lived for the next 14 years of his life with his mother and his two brothers. One of which was a writer; however, Cainin showed no interest in writing. Not until the age of 17 did he pick up a pen and write his first rhyme. Inspired by negativity, he began to create clever rhyme schemes to clear his mind. His passion had opened a portal to his escape from the different forms of affliction.
As Cainin continued to write and expand his skills, his perspective, and his unique style of rhyming. After being falsely arrested and forced to endure the harsh reality of jail, the charges were dropped against him. He chose not to dwell on the mistreatment and was determined to use every experience to better himself as well as to fuel the intensity, the message, and the outlook of his soul. Every song reveals, in much detail, an enticing tale of his struggles as well as his triumphs.
Cainin resides in Calgary, Alberta and continues to further elevate his lyrical potential. With only two mixed tapes released, Nu West City (2008) and The Absence Of Presence (2015), he’s currently working on his first official album titled Funk Nebula for an early 2017 release with the independent label known as Nu West Nation Entertainment established by Joel Kokaram. Cainin continues to excel while losing absolutely no momentum. His single “Mama Don’t Know” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, etc.
1. For starts how did you come up with your stage name?
I have always gone by “Cainin” even before I started to write bars. Krow, however stands for “King Ruling Over War”. When I started rapping publicly I went by “Cainin Da Krow”.
2. We know you rep Canada. In America the Hiphop scene is very saturated. For those that don’t know can you let us know what the current Hiphop scene is like in Canada?
The current scene in Canada is Vibrant. There has only been a handful of Canadian emcees who have hit it big, on a mainstream level, so there is always new people trying new things while preserving their individuality.
3. We understand you been quite a few trials and tribulations, including your wrongful imprisonment. Can you give us some insight on to what exactly happened and how long until you were released?
Basically, I just turned eighteen and was attending an alternative school in Oshawa, Ontario. I, including 12 others which included my 2 brothers and a close friend, were all arrested in class. I was charged with forcible confinement, theft & assault. My older brother and I spent only two weeks in jail before getting out on bail.
4. Your song “Gypsy” has you taking a different direction. We heard a lot of you on Digital Dynasty with a more gritty sound and this time we heard you going in on the club tip. Was it hard for you to write this type of record and are you trying to get radio play with this one?
Honestly, I wrote “Gyspy” in 2014. I originally had planned to drop a video for it, early 2015. My team and I managed to get the filming done but other issues had happened which led us to putting the song on hold. Just this year, I re-recorded “Gypsy” in my studio and the mixing and mastering was much cleaner, so I decided to revive it. It wasn’t hard for me to switch up my style, I’m inspired by creativity and always strive to push myself to the next level. Hopefully this one can get radio, if not I’m kool with a club (laughs).
5. After listening to you we can tell that substance is a main factor in what you do. With that said how do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop?
I feel that hip-hop is going through a transition. Hip-Hop has always been about art and in that, it has created an outlet for others to be expressive.I may not always agree with how others express themselves, but at the end of the day, that’s who they are, so who am I to hate. Hip-Hip has been and forever will be changing and you can’t change the world..but change yourself and then watch the world change around you.
6. In “Mama Don’t Know” you really turned up the heat on that 3rd verse. All the lyrics were on point but that’s where you started hitting us with those multiple rhyme formats. When would you say that you mastered your flow and really expanded your writing?
I am forever growing and with age comes wisdom so I have yet to become the master of my own craft. I started writing bars at eighteen but never opened up to anyone about it till I moved to Ontario. I grew up listening to all types of genres ranging from rock, retro, classical and even Japenese anime. So, I guess the answer is eighteen haha. I started study all the greats and absorbing multiple styles from day one. The next track must always be greater than the last. With that in mind, my only competition is myself.
8. We know you are a part of Lockjaw Records. How long have you been with them and whats the long term goal for the label? Also are they connected with Nu West Nation (because we know they are gonna help put out your next album)?
Lockjaw and I go way back, when I first moved back to Calgary, Vincent Wong aka Prince v was the first person in the city to let me rock out in the studio, just for the love of music. They helped me with my first mixtape “Nu West City” and were the first people to not only put me on shows, but also headline them. I got a lot of love for them, no doubt. I been rocking with them for about eight years now, I think..my bad if I’m wrong Vinny, its been a hot minute styll. Nu West Nation is the label that I currently do music under, it was founded by Joel Kokaram, former associate of Lock Jaw Records. We all fam at the end of the day and we work together in order to bring each other up.
9. Back to your start. Who were your personal influences to get into emceeing?
My personal influences to get into emceeing was my life. I was depressed as hell and used words to comfort me. I have always been good with words. My mom was a poet and has had some of her poems published, so growing up she would always ask my brothers and I how to spell big words while she would share her poetry with us. So, I guess you could say my mom and our private struggles is what influenced me.
10. With 2016 half over .. whats left on your hiphop to do list for the year?
What’s left is my album, however, it’s only beginning. I have much more music I want to record and some features that I have yet to do, so I’ma just lay low for awhile longer and drop a few more singles before the release. I’m hoping to drop “Funk Nebula” early 2017.
11. Out of all the songs you have ever created, which is your favorite and why?
“Poetic Injustice”..It’s a song that I wrote that is very dear to my heart and reflects the struggles that I have recently encountered and overcome. I have planned to do a video for it, that will touch on a very deep subject that I believe will effect everybody, in a very compelling way.
12. It was cool chopping it up with you bro, in closing let our readers know where to check you out and whatever else you want to let them know. Also thanks for keeping real hiphop alive with the lyrics!
Thank you as well, I appreciate the opportunity that you have provided for me to be heard. You can find me on most digital retail stores. Soundcloud, Youtube etc.I got a song out called “Dangerouz Mindz” featuring a collection of amazing emcees, including eazy-e’s son “E3”. Other than that, I’ma keep doing me and be out here. One Luv And Power To All People..Bless!
“Look out for Bright Eye” available on Itunes, spotify, tidal and google play etc.