Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet uses his teaching background to elevate and education his expanding audience. He’s a former elementary school teacher and Toronto-bred MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies the diversity and resiliency of one of the world’s most unique cities.
With tattoos, beard, head wrap and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. His appearance is only overshadowed by his presence and delivery; stimulating audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain. When you see Humble live, he never fails to surprise, impress, but most importantly – makes you think. Humble constantly introduces new ideas and critical viewpoints to Hip Hop’s landscape, and has a lot of fun in the process.
Jumping from the classroom to centre-stage, Humble utilizes the myriad of experiences in his life, weaving them into lyricism, witty choruses, and soulful energy layered over infectious beats.
In 2008, Kanwer Singh began releasing independently recorded tracks on YouTube with self-made videos shared through social networking sites. By early 2009, Kanwer adopted the stage name ‘Humble The Poet’ and launched thepoetproject.com, a space to share his works and those of others that inspire him. The launch of this site also coincided with the release of his first project - 00:05. Humble has since released a number of projects including -00:04 & -00:03.
His most recent collaboration with SuperWoman, #LEH, has scored nearly 5 million views on YouTube in its first two months alone. Other notable tracks are Baagi Music (w/ Prod. Sikh Knowledge) in 2010 and Moorni that marked his first video collaboration with Superwoman (2012).
Humble The Poet has also been featured in numerous publications and major hip hop web sites including: Buzzfeed, 24hr (Sun Media), The Huffington Post (Canada), Metro Morning (CBC), MTV Iggy, MTV K, Rolling Stone, The Times India, VancouverDesi, FHM, World Star Hip Hop, Allhiphop, & 2dopeboyz.
Humble has toured North America, including Lollapalooza 2012, and has made huge impressions on audiences internationally, performing at major festivals in London, Delhi, and Pune.
He was featured in Goa as part of the documentary series The Dewarists, which was broadcast on India’s largest English-speaking network, Star World. The Dewarists has since gone on to win Bronze at The Cannes Lions Festival. Humble is also the subject of the Documentary “Humble The Poet” by Chapman University Director Brendan Naumas. The documentary gained 2012 Cecil Award Nomination.
Humble has also pursued ventures outside the music world, recently modeling for designer Raji Aujla at Fashion Art Toronto (F.A.T.) CitySCAPE event. He has also been featured (as himself) in the 2012 film Picture Day, which was selected for the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.
Due for 2015 release, he will also be featured artist in the film Inland directed by Deepa Mehta.