Namilla
Just over a month ago, the British Columbia hip-hop community suffered a terrible loss due to the untimely passing of Jesse “Don Castro” Ollivierre.
“Castro was more than my blooda… He was a mentor and showed me a lot about the music. The way he could structure a song was like nothing I’ve ever seen.” – Namilla
The Vancouver-born, Surrey-bred lyricist co-founded the Canadian faction of Stendo Gang alongside Namilla and Dru Gray. Don Castro has been a staple in the B.C. Underground scene for well over a decade. He was a larger than life figure that who spoke on what he lived unapologetically. If I had to describe his music in three words it’d be quality street rap.
Here’s a quote from Castro’s right hand man and labelmate Namilla about Castro’s passing:
“Castro was more than my blooda… He was a mentor and showed me a lot about the music. The way he could structure a song was like nothing I’ve ever seen. He was so in tune with every little sound. If anything it inspired me to pay attention to the most minute details when recording and everything would HAVE to be on point. Don was a perfectionist so if he didn’t 1000 percent like what he heard, he’d say ‘Namilla… Pull it back and put more heart into it.’ One thing I can say is he will live on through me, Stendo Gang and through music. R.I.P. Don Castro.” – Namilla
In honour of Don Castro, our Song of the Day is “My Patna” by Namilla of Stendo Gang. You can also find Don Castro’s Kreacha-assisted “Feel It In The Air” video directed by Toronto’s JB of GCP.
Don Castro
