STOLEN FROM AFRICA

“The body keeps score, yo. It will tell you when you need to pay attention to it.” At Manifesto 17, marking half a century of Hip-Hop, SFA Culture links up with Weston CI alumnus and Toronto artist Claremont II. In this raw, reflective From The Source conversation, we dive into what happens when a young creative's personal blueprint collides with a rigid school system trying to teach 30 unique minds with the exact same formula.

From sneaking his laptop into the high school lunchroom to make beats, to balancing the deep sonic foundations of a Pentecostal Christian household with early BET broadcasts, Claremont II tracks his evolution onto major festival stages. He opens up about the visual intentions behind his cinematic short film Full Circle, navigating creative burnout, and why giving yourself grace through procrastination is often a necessity for survival.

The School System Tried to Box Him In He Chose Hip Hop Instead | From The Source ft Claremont II “The body keeps score, yo. It will tell you when you need to pay attention to it.” At Manifesto 17—marking half a century of Hip-Hop—SFA Culture links up wit...

A rare and powerful conversation with RZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan officially inducted into the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Filmed in Toronto, this conversation captures RZA giving Born King his flowers for decades of dedication to knowledge, culture, youth empowerment, and carrying forward the teachings and principles connected to the Nation of Gods and Earths in Canada.

RZA reflects on:

the roots of knowledge from Harlem (“Mecca”)
mathematics as a daily way of life
discipline, spiritual conduct, and growth
Born King’s consistency over 20+ years
using art, music, design, and education as tools for elevation
mentoring youth and building future generations
preserving knowledge through culture and community work

Throughout the conversation, RZA acknowledges Born King as someone who not only studied the lessons mentally, physically, and spiritually but continued to produce fruit by teaching, creating, and inspiring others across generations.

The exchange highlights hip-hop culture beyond music, as education, identity, responsibility, and legacy.

Rare Conversation RZA Honours Born King and the Nation of Gods Earths A rare and powerful conversation with RZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan — officially inducted into the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Filmed in Toronto, thi...

A moment with Fatlip of The Pharcyde during his time in Toronto at the Pheonix Theatre 2023.

For many, The Pharcyde represented a different kind of hip-hop energy soulful, creative, humorous, vulnerable, and deeply original. Their impact helped expand what hip-hop could sound and feel like, influencing generations of artists and creatives worldwide.

At Stolen From Africa, these conversations are about preserving moments, stories, and cultural memory. Not just the music, but the mindset, the humanity, and the era that shaped the culture.

Toronto has always been a meeting place for these kinds of exchanges.

Real conversations. Real history. Real hip-hop.

Fatlip on J Dilla’s Genius, Pharcyde Legacy & Hip-Hop History | Stolen From Africa 0:00 Intro & Drake Talk0:47 Life Update & Toronto Love1:29 New Music?1:48 Pharcyde as West Coast Tribe2:03 Native Tongues & NY Influence3:01 J Dilla Memories...