There will be a sense of nostalgia at the Roxx Niteclub Friday night when some of Canada’s best hip-hop artists take to the stage.

Thanks to collaborations with such artists as Busta Rhymes, Rihanna, Method Man and Akon, there may not be a hotter artist on the scene than Kardinal Offishall.

The Toronto MC will lead the charge into Barrie Friday night, bringing with him Canadian hall of famers Choclair and Snow, as well as young up-and-comers Sick Tricks and Mr. Ranking. Music at the Chrome Age Production show will be provided by DJ Spence Diamonds.

The event, brought to you by Liquid Chrome, Chills Canada and Logoz City Fashions, is a 19+ event and the doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

The Barrie Advance had a chance to talk to hip-hop legend Choclair and Sick Tricks, a local favourite.

Barrie Advance: In your opinion, what part of Canada is holding it down in the terms of growing and supporting hip-hop?

Choclair: I think the people themselves are holding it down for the growing support of hip-hop in Canada. I think The industry as a whole still has a way to go to as far as setting up the structure that can support the whole hip-hop music business, but the people themselves (the listener) has really stepped up the support for the music.

Sick Tricks: It would be hard to say one place in particular that is holding down Canadian hip-hop. I would have to say though that it is living strong in places people might not expect, like Barrie, London, Victoria. Places that are a little off the grid. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, I don’t feel like these places, that should be strong holds, are holding down the culture the way they could.

Barrie Advance: Looking back on your career, what are your regrets?

Choclair: My only regret is that I was to nice to some people, not to say that I regret being a nice guy but in the beginning I did a lot for people and when it was time to return the favour I should have thought ahead and told myself not everyone thinks the way I do, but I wish everyone that I worked with in the past a world of success.

Sick Tricks: My only regrets looking back would be waiting on other people to make this happen. Thinking that it wasn’t in my own hands the whole time. Hoping this person would see it and be like sign this kid up, or that person would hear it and make it for me. The only person that can make this happen is yourself.

Barrie Advance: If you could share the stage with one artist, who would it be and why?

Choclair: It would have been Biggie Smalls. I am, and always will be, a huge fan of his. He really showed people that you can be really successful in the rap game and he was a great lyracist and for me that’s what hip hop is about: the lyrics and beats. Sick Tricks: If I could share the stage with any artist it would be Andre 3000. There are other artists that I would love to work with, but 3000 just hits me. He reminds me why I started doing this, why I love this music so much. Energy, creativity, passion, intensity, hip-hop.

Barrie Advance: What is your opinion of hip hop right now?

Choclair: It’s growing. It’s still a not as old as other forms of music, but it has grown faster than any other, and it is all inclusive, it has done a lot for race relations for this younger generation, and I am really proud of that. I love hip-hop.

Sick Tricks: I feel as though hip-hop is strong as ever, it’s the labels that are (messing) it all up. Putting out this artist cause they know they can make it sell, over something with substance. Hip-hop isn’t the problem, the problem is the economics of the game. There are only so many spots and more times those spots are going to the least deserving artists, while the real heads are starving for a chance.

Barrie Advance: What’s next for you musically?

Choclair: A new album this year, it will be called C. Revolution. I have a new single called “The Essence” that has already gone number one on the U.S collage charts, so ’09 is going to be a great year.

Sick Tricks: I’m gonna do some traveling, see the world a bit, and gain some perspective. Tie it all up in a musical knot and drop the dopest album we’ve seen in a minute. I’m gonna keep performing when and where I can, but this album is my real focus. I owe it to my fans and myself to drop this album as heavy as I can so watch out it don’t land on your head.

Barrie Advance: What can the crowd expect Friday night?

Choclair: I am expecting a very enthusiastic crowd; people support the music up here, but most time a show like this doen’t get put together. I have to give a big up to Liquid Chrome for putting this together.

Sick Tricks: This Friday the people need to be ready for some heavy hitting hip-hop music. The Sick Tricks movement is coming to Barrie to represent. This is gonna be a spectacle that the heads are not gonna want to miss, trust me.