A-Game

In Toronto, the name A-Game refers to a rap group consisting of identical twins, Rommel and Robert Hinds-Grannum (known as Nova and Chase), which has experienced success on the Canadian charts with consecutive hits, rocked U.S. audiences and garnered fans across the globe. While these are tremendous feats, what’s awe-inspiring is that A-Game has accomplished them as an independent group.

A-Game made its debut in 2006 with the EP The World Is Yours and breakout hits Go Head Shawty and Air Planes, but it was the mixtape Since 1988 that catapulted the group into the mainstream spotlight.

With production from Bass Line, Nikhil S and his Grammy-nominated production partner T-Minus as well as the Grammy-nominated Tone Mason, the mixtape’s singles have been extremely well received. The first, Watchu Sayin’, shot to the #10 spot on the national Top 40 Urban chart and charted at #109 on the Canadian iTunes music chart. Oh My, the second single, became the #1 requested song on Toronto radio station Flow 93.5’s Top 5 at 9 countdown, and ended 2011 at #7 on the station’s Top 30 Records of the Year countdown. In April 2012, A-Game released a video for Cool Boyz, also off of Since 1988. It was named Best Canadian Hip-Hop Video at the 2012 Reel World Film Festival and was nominated for Much Music Video Award’s 2012 Hip-Hop Video of the Year.

Since 1988’s commercial success also saw Nova and Chase embark on an Ontario-wide high school tour, which was sponsored by Universal Music Canada, as well as the Christmas Vacation tour with Canadian band Abandon All Ships, on whose single Infamous A-Game appeared. Infamous enjoyed Top 10 success on the Canadian iTunes music chart. A-Game has also appeared at Youth Day, the Stylus DJ Awards, Canadian Music Week, Manifesto (Canada’s biggest hip-hop festival), and on Much Music’s show Rap City, among others. The group has shared stages with artists such as G.O.O.D Music’s Big Sean, Young Money’s Tyga, Maybach Music Group’s Omarion, Shady Records’ Yela Wolf, Red Café, Melanie Fiona and Kardinal Offishall, to name a few.

A-Game’s latest single Money Made Me Do It, has thus far amassed more than 200,000 Youtube views as an MP3, was the Flow 93.5 Steamwhistle Song of the Month in May, and currently appears on Flow 93.5’s Top 5 at 9 countdown. MMMDI was also featured on LeBron James’ official website and was co-signed by top American blogger Karen Civil. The group plans to release a visual and has already released unofficial remixes with Kardinal Offishall and Grammy nominated producer/singer-songwriter Ryan Leslie.

A-Game’s mass appeal, coupled with the group’s unrelenting drive and sheer passion for music, secures its place as a burgeoning force within the music industry.