What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Legacy, The Producer.

Who are you

I’m a South Burnaby-raised sample chopper. I produce hip-hop and Afrobeats, and love to incorporate sounds and samples from around the world into modern music—I feel it adds a unique story and cultural representation to the track. Think: Kanye soul samples, but instead of soul I’m chopping Persian melodies, Arab beats, or Latin vocals. 

On April 10, I released my debut musical project, From The North, To The North. It’s a free instrumental mixtape in collaboration with DJ Kemo (Kardinal, Akon, Pitbull) of the Rascalz, where we sampled some of my favourite early 2000s Canadian hip-hop classics. It’s tapping into that nostalgia of watching Much Vibe as a kid and connecting to what I see as the golden age of Canadian hip-hop. Very special shout out to them for paving the way. 

I’ve also partnered with the Parkinson’s Society of BC to utilize this project as a tool to raise awareness and proceeds for grassroots support groups for those currently living with Parkinson’s Disease in BC. This is in honour of my late grandfather. The link will be at the bottom if you’re interested in donating (tax receipt available) or in spreading awareness. Much love. 

First concert

Surprisingly, I didn’t go to a concert until I was 20. The closest thing to a concert prior to that was riding around the car with my mom as she sang along to the Persian and Arabic classics from her black leather CD binder. (I recently recovered this binder and plan to chop the hell out it.)

In 2012, I was walking Granville, headed home from a long day, when I got really lucky and ran into a promoter friend who asked if I wanted a free ticket to a Cam’ron concert at Venue that was starting in 15 minutes. I listened to Cam’ron a lot growing up and he performed a lot of classics. After his show, he immediately got off the stage and walked through a few hundred fans shaking hands and showing love to everybody. I vividly remember him shaking my hand and saying, “What’s good!” in his Harlem accent, with a smile on his face. I was just a kid. I found that so dope and surprisingly down to earth of him. 

Life-changing concert

Honestly, I’ve been a fan of the Rascalz since I was like six. I still think they’re the coolest thing to come out of Vancouver, and “Top Of The World” was easily my favourite Canadian hip-hop song. Classic. So, fast-forward to 2022. I start producing in my spare time, and in 2023 I link up with DJ Kemo of the Rascalz through a mutual friend. We collaborate. He becomes a mentor. A few months later in June of 2023, they’re performing at Sunset Beach with Kardinal, Choclair, and Maestro Fresh Wes, and they bring me as a guest. I think it was life-changing and surreal to have been on stage with them as they crush classic after classic, with years of performance skills, and to see the crowd absolutely loving it. There was a large portion of Canadian hip-hop history on one stage. Blessed. 

Top three records

Akon Trouble (Deluxe Edition)  I feel that this album was foundational to my childhood, and to 2000s hip-hop culture. I must have been eight years old on Kazaa (you know?) when I caught wind of him early through “Locked Up”. I loved seeing him blow up with “Lonely”. The Deluxe has my favourite deep cut, “Ghetto”. He’s got a unique voice, generational songwriting talent, and you really feel his story. I later found out he produced a large majority of the album, and heard stories of his entrepreneurial hustle, which only further solidified this as an all-time classic album, and the start of a legendary career. 

Nas “Adam and Eve”  This song was the inspiration for my music production journey. Kanye sampled a Persian classic “Gol e Yakh” by Kourosh Yaghmaei. It’s a psychedelic rock song from the 1970s and it’s considered legendary. I was in Iran visiting family six years ago and played the Nas version, and immediately my aunt looked over and said, “Is this Kourosh?” to which I replied, “No, Auntie, this is Kanye West!”—to which she replied, “Ohhh, Kanye Vest.”

My uncle gave it the classic uncle nod of approval. Kanye had my Persian aunt and uncle appreciating hip-hop. It was this memory that stuck with me. I realized if I sample ethnic songs from around the world, I’m not only paying tribute to that particular country’s culture—I can also connect with the older generations. In 2022, I made my first beat and I sampled another Kourosh song, “Dar Enteha”. In February 2024, I launched my socials and posted it. I can’t explain what it felt like when he liked and reposted my beat. Nas’ lyrics also hit home. “Journey far, learn who you can be/But you can learn who you are when you around family.” 

Kanye West College Dropout  This album just had so much soul. The underdog that raps conscious content in a funny and witty way, over soulful beats he made himself. The entire album is a great listen through, and the story on the outro “Last Call” caps it off so well. Classic. 

Note: This was tough. I got to give honourable mentions to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication, Kanye’s Late Registration, Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor, OutKast’s Stankonia, 50’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Fabolous’ Soul Tape for favourite mixtape, and “Nas Is Like” for a hip-hop track.

All-time favourite video

Sean Paul “Get Busy”  This was the first piece of music content I ever P2P downloaded. It took three days and would pause when the phone rang. Worth it, because I probably watched this video 100 times before the age of 10. This video sparked my love for house parties. It has a couple funny skits with the dad and his love for his furnace, and the little brother sneaking in to check out what the grown folk are up to. Add that it was filmed in Toronto and there’s a Kardinal cameo, and it hits home even further. Sean de Paul! (Or Chanderpaul, whatever.) 

Special shout out to Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson”, Rascalz’ “Movie Star”, Michael Jackson’s “Rock My World”, 50’s “21 Questions”, and the funny hip-hop videos from the 2000s that I loved from Ludacris, Eminem, and Kanye.

What’s in your fridge

Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp, aka Happy Lady Sauce. I put this ish on everything. No, actually. Pasta, stir-fry, pizza, BBQ, seafood. I vividly remember the second time I bought it. I went grocery shopping with the girl I was seeing at the time, and I hyped it up as I was tracking it down, and she wasn’t believing me. We were at the till ringing our groceries up when the older Asian lady scanning it through picked it up with a surprised look on her face, tilted her head over at me all impressed, and went, “You know about this?” I’ve never felt so validated in my life. 

Zeytoon parvardeh. This is my favourite Persian appetizer or side dish. Pomegranate, walnut, garlic, and mint-infused olives. Gas. Hit your local Persian mom-and-pop or restaurant and try it out. 

Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Flavored Creamer. My morning double espresso gets a splash of this creamer without fail.

Donate to Legacy, The Producer’s Parkinson’s campaign here.