Roland “Rollie” Pemberton, better known by his stage name Cadence Weapon, is a Canadian rapper, producer, author, and striker, who was literally educated on soccer.
The once-shortlisted 2006 Polaris Music Prize nominee, who comes from a linage of both Canadian hip hop and Canadian sports royalty, loves his home city of Edmonton. There’s no doubt of that from one glance of his lyrics. Now based in Toronto, Cadence Weapon took time to speak with CanPL.ca about what makes his city so much more different (and better) than Calgary, and where to get the best eats in town.
CanPL.ca: What makes prairie or west coast soccer culture so different to Ontario’s?
Cadence Weapon: I’ve actually always found the west part of Canada is more soccer-centric; you see more people playing soccer here than you’d see playing out east, especially in Vancouver and Edmonton. It’s definitely a different culture. I find that in places like Toronto, it’s more basketball whereas out west, while definitely people in Alberta are into hockey you’d be surprised how much people are into soccer. In fact, the high school I went to, St. Francis Xavier, even had a soccer academy. (Note: It’s also the same school that EPL goalkeeper Asmir Begovic attended).
Well, maybe the better question is: what makes Edmonton so different than Calgary?
Cadence Weapon: The major difference between Edmonton and Calgary is that Edmonton is going to win! [Laughs] There’s no place in Canada, or the rest of the world, like Edmonton. Edmonton is unique and you can only truly appreciate it if you come from there, or if you’ve ever been there. And I feel like that it has such a different vibe from Calgary. We always get lumped in and compared to Calgary, but … there can only be one capital.
What makes Edmonton fans so special?
Cadence Weapon: I think we have the best sports fans in the world. We have very passionate fans who are used to cheering on champions. With all the hockey teams, and my Grandfather played with the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL and won several Grey Cups, so Edmonton is the city of champions. It has that expectation of greatness.
From being from a sports family and an athlete yourself, what message would you have for the team and everyone involved in the club?
Cadence Weapon: The first thing I would tell them? You are going to be blown away by the community in Edmonton. There’s going to be so much support for this team and people are really going to be passionate. There’s this symbiotic relationship between the players and the community that you don’t see in other cities. Maybe because it has more of a small town feel, even though it is a big city, there’s just something about it. You see players in the community, at the grocery store, and it’s totally chill, it’s not a weird thing. I think they’ll be amazed by how much support they get just from regular people.
Speaking about grocery stores – it’s game day, where do you tell people to eat?
Cadence Weapon: Man, there’s a really big restaurant boom happening in Edmonton right now. One place I’d recommend is Woodwork. Then, Corso 32 and Bar Bricco. Oh, and this sandwich place, Farrow.
Finally, if you could put on message on a banner, what would it be?
Cadence Weapon: I want something that’s about the team being united. I always appreciate that when you see teams in Europe, and it’s all about their connection. That’s one of the best things about football – the fans are the best out of any sport and the most passionate. They’re connected with their team and it feels very natural. I would want something to mention the North Saskatchewan River, something like: From north to south, both sides united.
When not playing up top, Cadence Weapon served as Poet Laureate of Edmonton from 2009 to 2011, making him the literary ambassador of his hometown. He is currently in the top 10 running for a 2019 Prism Prize award for his video for High Rise and his latest album (his first in half a decade) was previously long listed for the 2018 Polaris Prize, alongside with Gord Downie and Arcade Fire.