Jul 18, 2024

Mindbender and the infinite love of hip-hop

The veteran rapper and champion of Toronto hip-hop shares his eclectic journey of love, music and community.

Image courtesy of Addi Stewart

When Addi “Mindbender” Stewart was 10 years old, he found himself in the front row at a Public Enemy concert in Hamilton, Ontario, high-fiving the legendary Flava Flav. For him, this moment represents the beginning of a trajectory that has seen the Toronto native become both a veteran rapper, and one of the most widely beloved champions of the local hip-hop community.

“Mr. Front Row,” as he is warmly referred to by countless community members, has attended hundreds of Toronto hip-hop shows over the last three decades, making his glowing support a stage-side staple for shows big and small. Stewart’s eclectic and experimental music career as “Mindbender Supreme” started in the early 90s. The then 14-year-old was given his first radio spin by Toronto icon DJ X, and to date he has released 13 solo LPs, performed internationally, and collaborated with a number of major artists across genres.

Whether it be music creation or hip-hop super fandom, Stewart views himself as an uncompromising messenger of love. His boundless optimism and unconditional support for community truly reflect hip hop’s original ethos.

Foyer spoke to Stewart about his favourite front row moments, the inception of his music career, and his philosophy of infinite love.

Foyer: What is your first memory of hip-hop culture manifesting in Toronto? As a young person, what did you first witness or engage with that made you feel like a fan or member of the culture?

Stewart: I have a strange rap origin story, as I was born in Toronto, but my mother moved our family to Edmonton in the first year after my birth. So, my first memories of hip-hop itself came to me like an alien transmission when I heard Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s “The Message” on my big brother’s radio in the summer of 1982. That beat changed my brainstem structure. We moved back to Toronto in 1990 when I was 10. My twin brother Conspiracy and I were huge fans of Public Enemy and wanted to go see the ‘Fear of a Black Planet’ show at the Concert Hall in Toronto, but it sold out too fast, therefore my first live rap concert experience was actually seeing Public Enemy in Hamilton. We were blessed at that concert when someone said “Hey, let these two little 10-year-olds to the front so they can see the show!”, so the audience parted like the Red Sea so Conspiracy and I could watch Public Enemy in the front row. I high-fived Flavor Flav at some point, and it sparked my lifetime love of being “Mr. Front Row”, as Toronto has ceremoniously and kindly christened me over the years.

My very first precious memory of Mindbender participating in the Toronto hip-hop community was probably when DJ X played my first song “Psychokinetic Forces” on The Power Move radio show in the fall of 1994. The last word on the song was “motherfu&#er!” and DJ X was so furious he banned me, but we became great friends later, and he even does scratches on my album ‘The King of Queen Street’ from 2023.

Image courtesy of Addi Stewart

How and when did you first start rapping? Can you describe your trajectory from early cyphers to becoming a recording and performing artist?

Stewart: I have to credit people like Chuck D, Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, KRS-One, Rakim, and even The Fat Boys for making me love good, fun lyrics, smart songwriting and funky music with social commentary. My own rhyme writing began after I heard “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy in 1988. The album came with all the lyrics printed in the cassette case, but I LOVED THE MUSIC SO MUCH, I re-wrote all the lyrics to every single song in a notebook so I could memorize them better, and imagine myself as Chuck D writing them. Then, I decided: I had my own unique thoughts and perspectives on being a young Black man in the world! So, if Chuck D and KRS-One could rap, why couldn’t I? My first rhyme was a serious but hilariously-wannabe new member of Public Enemy verse called ‘Black and Angry’. October 11th, 1990 was the day I wrote it, I think. And it didn’t stop.

My first song was "Psychokinetic Forces", recorded at Library Park Studios in the summer of 1994. I co-produced it with Kelron Magnanimous of the Nextra Crew – my first rap family. My first time rhyming on stage was actually on a crew track called "The Virus" by Nextra, at a club called The Thunderdome in Hull, Quebec, in 1994. I had 8 bars. "Mental Reverse/Spiritual Rebirth" (1997) was my first well-known album, released by my duo Supreme Being Unit (myself and Conspiracy). It featured Mindbender on side A and Conspiracy on side B. We both feature on the first single "My Transporter Room". Canadian rapper Eternia took the photograph for the sophomore SBU album cover, fun fact. El-P of Run the Jewels said he "loved that SBU album!"

Image courtesy of Addi Stewart

You’ve been described by many as a Toronto hip-hop superfan, or “Mr. Front Row”. Can you share a couple of your most memorable moments attending concerts or events in the city?

Stewart: I think of myself more as a hip-hop documentarian, but I understand why people say ‘superfan’. I am a disciple of hip-hop on a supreme level, I will admit. I consider it a religion, a culture, a university, a (formerly) secret society, and a tool to achieve knowledge of self. I struggle to imagine how I would perceive the world we live in if I didn’t have hip-hop culture to unify every aspect of existence into some creative, cultural poetic synthesis.

Once, 9th Wonder (formerly of Little Brother) was standing beside me during a ManifesTO afterparty at Revival on College St. As we were on stage enjoying an insanely intense performance featuring Rich Kidd, DJ Skratch Bastid, Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek, I looked at 9th Wonder and said: “Do shows like this happen in North Carolina?” He immediately turned his head to me, gave me a sharp cut-eye, and said “No. Toronto is the hip-hop capital of the world right now.” 2011 was a wonderful time in this city, for those participating in the culture.

I once prayed at City Hall with KRS-One and a youth group from Rexdale.. In the main councillor chamber at Nathan Phillips Square. If anyone has audio from KRS-One’s speech that day… it would shock you beyond belief.

I saw the debut performance of King Reign from the front row at the 416 Graffiti Expo, which took place in the Bathurst and Queen St. parking lot that is now a Loblaws. It was an unforgettable blessing I will always appreciate. Reign's voice was so deep, and his rhymes were so dope. He is one of the greatest Toronto MCs ever.

I performed at Dundas Square doing Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s verse from ‘Protect Ya Neck’ with Ghostface, Raekwon, DJ Skratch Bastid, and a surprise guest appearance from ODB’s son Ason on Father’s Day in 2012. I’ll cherish this transcendent experience forever. I’ve actually performed with Wu-Tang Clan on stage three times doing ODB’s verse twice and Method Man’s verse once. I have dozens of Wu-Tang stories. All miracles to me.

I have so many spectacular memories created in Toronto. Decades of dedication from literally thousands of concerts. Thank you to the entire community of artists and music lovers who make it so special here.

Image courtesy of Addi Stewart

Your music and personal philosophy have always conveyed a message of bold and unapologetic love for humanity. Can you describe why this is a through line for you? Do you see this message as the mission of your work?

Stewart: “Hell yeah,” in the immortal words of Dead Prez. I met Junior Reid at the old Kops Record Store on Queen Street once and he said, “Never let anyone allow you to forget that you are an Instrument of God!” I cherish hearing divine reminders like that. I consider myself a messenger of love incarnate, and it manifests in every expression of art, language, action and thought I can embody. The love for unity and economic balance dreamed of by Martin Luther King Jr. meets the love of justice and self-empowerment embodied in Malcolm X – some of the ideologies of love I believe in. I aim to be a vessel embodying love’s teachings like Buddha, Jesus, and Rumi because I believe the highest form of love makes humans become godly beings. It’s the closest connection we can know to heaven on earth. To live a life devoid of love is a hell I wouldn’t wish on the wackest rapper! I create art, speak publicly, write and make sacred intimate videos to capture my energy and life story the best I can. SBU was always meant to convey that idea: if you heard Mindbender & Conspiracy’s hip-hop, you were part of the Supreme Being Unit. One love to my twin brother and from Mindbender Supreme, it shall continue being so forever, like Wu-Tang.

Mindbender Loves You!

Stay up to date with Addi “Mindbender” Stewart here. Stay tuned to Foyer for more stories commemorating 50 years of hip-hop. Mark your calendar for December 2024, as the exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century opens at the AGO.