Rishaard

In the winter of 1989, Toronto, Canada met the future of innovative music. Upon immigrating to the Great North's hip-hop capital, Trinidadian-born Rishaard Hyndman (Rishaard a.k.a. Shamon Harage) began utilizing his already musically influenced lifestyle by channeling his talents through his newfound friend: hip-hop. The perfect blend of raw energy, crisp wit and soulful raspiness, Rishaard's voice and flow is one of the most distinct in T-dot's large hip-hop community. He, however, has remained in the 'background' as one of the members of the underground collection known as Monolith.

Analyzing the rap game for the past few years, Rishaard is now more than ready to become a major player as a solo recording artist. As a member of Monolith, Rishaard helped find the independent label, One Rock Records. Together with his crew in 1998, he released "The Long Awaited.." a six-track EP that shattered the boundaries previously placed in the Canadian hip-hop market. Without a major label or distributor, Monolith sold thousands of cassettes and subsequent 12" singles featuring the cuts "Bye D'Plenty" and "At The T.O.P.", made popular, in part, by Rishaard's flows. As one of the featured MCs in the lead single "At The T.O.P.", Rishaard made his music video debut in September 1998. With the video in rotation for several months on Canada's premier music station MuchMusic, Rishaard also joined his crew in a number of live television performances and interviews on "RapCity", "DaMix", and "The Mike Bullard Show"

Further proving his ability and skills, the new millennium saw Rishaard display his talent on Monolith member Dan-e-o's The Book of Daniel album in "Peanut Butter Danish"( 2003). Rishaard was also featured on Irs' Juno-nominated “Welcome To Planet Irs LP on "M.W.O" in 2005. Appearing on one of Monolith's biggest club bangers to date! Along with Jamaican reggae superstar Red Rat, Rishaard lead off in the single "Kama Sutra" a Calypso-tinged classic accompanied by a music video that has received millions views on YouTube!

Rishaard has had his fair share of stage experience. No stranger to a live audience, he has toured across Canada with Choclair, Kardinal and Saukrates and the U.S. sharing the stage with some of hip-hop's heaviest hitters including Masta Killa, Jeru The Damaja, Young Buck and Mobb Deep. Striving to make a bigger impact and to establish himself as a true heavyweight, Rishaard released the mixtape "Confessions Of A .." in the ending of 2006. The CD featured underground hits, "4 All My"and "Let It Out" featuring Universal Music recording artist, Toya Alexus of "Pop Stars" fame. This single, however, was only the tip of the iceberg.

In 2007, Rishaard made various appearances on local D.J.mixtapes and various showcases through out the city. In a continuous hunger to further his career, Rishaard entered and placed 2nd in the Howard University "Next 2 Blow" Howard Homecoming competition, in Washington D.C.

Continuing to make appearances, he assisted fellow Mono members, Grimace Love on his Debut LP "Perception" and Wio-K's debut LP "In Real Life" Rishaard has connected and worked with various producers and MCs in the city, recently he paired up with producer Gee Wunder and Lyve (remix) to bring the Up-tempo, street track "We Goin In" which is receiving great airplay.

Rishaard is currently preparing for his debut album, and has dropped the first official Single "Keepin' It Moving" a smooth, head nodding, banger, produced by Kool Aid of Soundsmith Productions. In 2011, The release of his debut full-length album, Now Or Never Maybe?. Promises to set a new standard for Canadian artists, this LP represents Rishaard's next step towards ultimate success.

Toronto's newest soloist is set to break grounds. Prepare yourself for the riot...Rishaard is about to blow!