Raised by Jamaican immigrant parents, Kardinal Offishall grew up in Scarborough. His music career began in the mid-1990’s releasing several independent singles, a debut album and an EP before signing with MCA records in 2000. His second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol 1 included the well-known (and Billboard) hit, “BaKardi Slang.” His third album in 2005, Fire and Glory featured the first of a 5-year collaboration partnership with Akon. Kardinal Offishall signed with Akon’s label in 2007, Kon Live Distribution, with whom he released is fourth album Not 4 Sale in 2008. The first single of the album, “Dangerous,” became a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a certified triple platinum record in Canada. Released in 2010, “Numba 1 (Tide is High)” and “Body Bounce” both became gold-certified records. Following his departure from Kon Live Distribution in late 2010, Kardinal Offishall has been releasing singles under his own independent label, Black Stone Colleagues Inc. In 2013, he became the Creative Executive Director of Universal Music Canada’s A&R team, of which he is now the Senior Director of Urban A&R.