When he released his debut album, Breaking Kayfabe, Edmonton's Roland Pemberton, established a style that owed more to the grime/garage sounds that emanated from the UK than to conventional American hip-hop. Cadence Weapon's lyrical depth and experimental tendencies paid off, as the album was shortlisted for the first-ever Polaris Prize and eventually led to a deal with ANTI- Records, who put out his second LP. Afterparty Babies had even more of an electronic vibe, and Pemberton once again showcased his twisted humour and lyrical deftness. He was named poet laureate by the city of Edmonton in 2009, a rare feat for a rapper, and he moved to Montréal before releasing his third album, Hope In Dirt City.