CANARYSING is a rap duo consisting of Madeleine (Madlines) Clifford and Hollis Wong-Wear. These talented lyricists pack smooth, sophisticated vocals and thought-provoking music to bridge cultures and stir transformative discussion—all while getting the crowd hyped!
BREAKING BINARIES. While the majority are conditioned to follow strict identity binaries, the ladies of CS challenge them. CS’s distinct moniker was inspired by an excerpt from author Danzy Senna’s work, ‘Caucasia.’
“The mulatto in America functions as a canary in a coal mine. Canaries were used by coal miners to gauge how poisonous the air underground was. They would bring a canary in with them and if they grew sick and died, they knew the air was bad… Likewise, mulattos have historically served as the gauge of how poisonous American race relations were.”
SURVIVAL VS. TRANSFORMATION. But CS aren’t just trying to survive—they’re out to make a lot more noise than a couple of canaries. Fresh off the release of The Beautiful Baby EP, CS wants to make you shake your ass without losing your soul. Playfully political with tight flows and head-noddical beats, CS is out to make the habitat more hospitable for the elusive, endangered female MC.
JUST THE BEGINNING. CS has shared stages with Saul Williams, Binary Star, Zion I, The Coup, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Medusa, Khingz, Gabriel Teodros, Brwn Bflo, Mystic, Sabreena da Witch (as featured in Slingshot Hip Hop), Jusmoni, Blue Scholars, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Helladope, Theesatisfaction, Brothers from Another, Sol, and many more. They have performed and facilitated educational workshops at: Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival, UC Berkeley, The Richard Hugo House, Seattle University, UW Bothell, Shoreline Community College, Evergreen College, Western Washington University, Pomona College, The Loft Literary Arts Center, and Under the Volcano Music Festival and more venues across the country.
Discography
The Beautiful Baby EP — 2010
Singles: These Days, H206
Boss Ladies: A Mixtape — 2010
Singles: Mind Sex Remix, Freak Show
The Filthy Filthy EP — 2008
