LEE REED, "The Cost Of Tacos," 2018

By Aaron Brophy 10/26/18 | www.samaritanmag.com

Hamilton, Ontario rapper-activist Lee Reed has seen the impact of urban renewal/gentrification in his city as people move there from Toronto and he doesn't like the effect it's had on working class citizens. Inspired by the East Hamilton Rent Strike that has seen tenants push back against developers trying to force out long-time residents, Reed has released The Steal City EP about this battle. In "The Cost Of Tacos" Reed asks "who can afford this stuff?" in reference to boutique tacos, using them as an example to show how high the cost of living has gotten in Hamilton. Proceeds from the "$5 or more" EP will go towards the Hamilton Tenants Solidarity Network (HTSN) and the East Hamilton Rent Strike Defense Fund. Buy it here. — Aaron Brophy