Mathematik (rapper)

Mathematik
Also known asMath-U
Born
Lyndon Dash

OriginMalvern, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenreHip-hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1996–present
LabelsBeat Factory
Urbnet Records
Formerly ofDown Ta Erf
Websiteurbnet.com/mathematik

Lyndon Dash, better known by his stage name Mathematik, is a Canadian rapper from Malvern, Toronto. He was the rapper of the group Down Ta Erf, with producers Wall and Steel.

Career

In 1996, the Down Ta Erf's song "Learn to Earn" appeared on the compilation album Rap Essentials Volume One. In 1997, the group released a self-titled demo album on the label Beat Factory. It is the only album the group released. In 1998, the song "Formation" appeared on MuchMusic. In 1999, Mathematik released his debut solo album Ecology. Both Down Ta Erf and Ecology became highly regarded underground classics in Canadian hip-hop. In 2000, his song "Illmath (Weapons)" was featured on the soundtrack of the television series Drop the Beat. In 2005, he released the album No Division on Urbnet Records. In 2007, he released No Division 2.1. After a long hiatus, he released four more albums with Urbnet Records, ReAL/iS-HiM (2019), H2o (2020), No Division Vol. 2 (2022), and Mathuniversal (2023).

Legacy

Hart House included him in their list "The First 50: Toronto's Hip Hop Architects". His song "Toronto" is featured in the Apple Music playlist "Toronto Hip-Hop Pioneers". Matthew Rolfe of Read Foyer named him as part of the "golden era" of Toronto hip-hop. A photo of him breakdancing in 2001 was used as the cover of the 2018 book Everything Remains Raw: Photographing Toronto's Hip Hop Culture from Analogue to Digital by Mark V. Campbell. In 2025, he performed at the Canada Black Music Archives showcase for Black History Month.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Down Ta Erf (1997) (with Down Ta Erf)
  • Ecology (1999)
  • No Division (2005)
  • No Division 2.1 (2007)
  • ReAL/iS-HiM (2019)
  • H2o (2020)
  • No Division Vol. 2 (2022)
  • Mathuniversal (2023)

Guest appearances

  • "Learn to Earn" (with Down Ta Erf) from Rap Essentials Volume One by Various Artists (1996)
  • "Illmath (Weapons)" from Drop the Beat by Various Artists (2000)
  • "Better Ones", "Good Life", "Late Night Rollin" and "Freedom" from Now by Freedom Writers (2013)
  • "Wish You’re Looking For" from Aspire to Inspire by Es (2014)
  • "We Are Only Getting Older" from We Are Only Getting Older by Es (2017)
  • "Rap Essentials" from Dear Hip Hop: 20 Years Later by Dan-e-o (2017)
  • "Crawl Walk Run" and "The Uber" from Access to All Lanes by Solar-C (2018)
  • "Fountain of Youth" from Sunshowers by CrossLake (2020)
  • "Build" from Beat Barbarian, Vol. 1 by Navi the North (2020)
  • "Training Day" from Raw and Homemade 2 by Tranzformer (2021)
  • "Block" from Driver Or Driven by Es and Das Da Beat Junkie (2023)
  • "King of the World" from Rewind by Alcynoos, Parental and Loop.Holes (2023)
  • "Carnival" from Rediscovery by Elaquent (2023)
  • "Deligence" from Remix Compilation, Vol. 1 by P_Phil (2025)

References

  1. ↑ "Urbnet Label Artist Mathematik Interview - | MRC Hip Hop | Best Underground Hip-Hop". MRCNN Live. 2019-04-20.
  2. ↑ Cowie, Del (2019-03-13). "Rap Essentials at 20: the album that put '90s Canadian hip-hop on the map". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  3. ↑ "Clip List - MuchMusic". Billboard. 1998-01-31. p. 88.
  4. ↑ Cowie, Del F. (1999-09-30). "Mathematik - Ecology". Exclaim!.
  5. ↑ "Bonus Beats" (PDF). Worldradiohistory. CMJ New Music Monthly. January 2000. p. 61.
  6. ↑ "New Releases - Drop the Beat" (PDF). RPM. Volume 70, No. 23. 2000-04-10. p. 11.
  7. ↑ Cowie, Del F. (2005-08-31). "Mathematik - No Division". Exclaim!.
  8. ↑ Talken, Chi Chi (2019-03-01). "Mathematik - ReAL/iS-HiM". Scratched Vinyl.
  9. ↑ "Rapper Mathematik previews Realishim with "The Motive"". HipHopCanada. 2019-02-02.
  10. ↑ Gleich, Christoph (2022-06-17). "It's Mathematik: 16bars + MK2 = OG". HHV Mag.
  11. ↑ Lamb, Karas (2023-09-25). "Mixtape Monday: MIKE x Wiki + The Alchemist, Mathematik, Airospace, x The Arcitype, KHEYZINE + More". Okayplayer.
  12. ↑ "The First 50: Toronto's Hip Hop Architects | Events | Hart House". Hart House.
  13. ↑ Toronto Hip Hop Pioneers - Apple Music
  14. ↑ Rolfe, Matthew. "40 Years of Toronto Hip Hop With Dr. Francesca D'amico-cuthbert". Foyer.
  15. ↑ ""Resisting the Singular Voice": On Canadian Hip-Hop | The Puritan". Puritan Magazine.
  16. ↑ Fox, Luke (2018-05-16). "Twelve gorgeous photos of what Toronto hip hop looked like before Drake". Toronto Life.
  17. ↑ Long Dectar, Rosie (2025-02-07). "Kaytranada, Tiësto, Zedd Will Get The Party Going At FVDED Music Festival 2025 | Billboard Canada". Billboard.
  18. ↑ "Decypher Toronto's hip hop past and present during Black History Month". City of Toronto. 2025-01-31.