What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Teon Gibbs

Who are you

I’m a hip-hop and R&B artist based out of Vancouver, B.C., and I’m one of the most diverse artists in the game. I’m really hungry and my live show is not one to be missed! #chefskiss

First concert

In 2006 I was still living in Gaborone, Botswana and we saw a crazy South African house show when we were visiting Durban. I remember seeing DJ Cleo and Black Coffee, who at the time were like superstars in South Africa. I remember being really young and on a beach with a huge crowd and no inhibitions.

Life-changing concert

In 2014 I was working as a stage-hand at Center of Gravity music festival in Kelowna. I got to change over a lot of shows and got to watch from backstage. J. Cole was headlining and, as the last act, we got to watch from front of house. I have never seen a hip-hop show with that level of musicality—the band was sick, and Cole was great at performing his songs, but more importantly it was the way he talked to his fans. That completely changed my outlook on stage performance.

Top three records

Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy  This album is simply a masterpiece. It has hits, it has some of the best production on any hip-hop record I’ve ever heard, and Kanye became a lot more personal throughout the narrative of the record. As I was starting to write I think this completely changed my perspective on what a rapper can sound and look like.

Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill  Miseducation is the epitome of artistry and incredible penmanship in my eyes. The Score was the first album I ever bought in my life, and I was so young (basically my big bro told me to get it). But I loved it, and Lauryn was a standout for me. When I got Miseducation I had no idea what was in store. Her storytelling and rawness was really captivating. It’s only when I got older that I realized how deep and thoughtful the lyrics were.

D’Angelo Voodoo Honestly name me a better R&B/soul album? I’ll wait…

All-time favourite video

The Notorious B.I.G. (featuring Mase and Diddy) "Mo Money Mo Problems"  Look, there’s a lot of cinematic masterpieces in music-video form. I could have mentioned something super-technical, or with a great narrative, but nah. I’m here for the iconic shiny puffer jackets, the fish eye lens, the dancing, the skits in between scenes, and just the complete eye-candy that was the “Mo Money Mo Problems” music. I remember being a child and thinking Biggie was the coolest man on the planet.

What’s in your fridge?

Smoked Gouda. I love a good grilled cheese. I remember one hungover Sunday I just wanted to make myself a grilled cheese to try and recover. I didn’t have enough cheddar so I slapped some smoked gouda in there. GAME CHANGER! Thank me later.

Sourdough Starter. I too fell victim to some of the trendy pandemic activities. I look after that little guy like he was my flesh, LOL, but it does smell pretty bad.

Pucker Butt. We thought we were cool and would remake an episode of Hot Ones at home… I love hot sauce, but this is nothing to be played with, LOL. It’s still sitting in the fridge until the next time we want to torture ourselves.

You can check out Teon Gibbs's These Are The Times here.