Innocent Bystander (band)

Sweatshop Union
Origin	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres	Canadian hip hop
Years active	2000 (2000)–present
Labels	Battleaxe
Associated acts	Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Innocent Bystanders, Trillionaire$, Hilltop Hoods
Members	Mr. Marmalade DJ Itchy Ron Metty the Dert Merchant Mos Eisley Dusty Melodica Conscience
Past members	Kyprios

Sweatshop Union is a Canadian hip hop collective based in Vancouver, British Columbia, consisting of four politically-minded rap acts — Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander. Known for their socially conscious lyrics, Sweatshop Union's music comments on issues ranging from the war in Iraq, the plight of the poor and working-class, to the negativity and misogyny of mainstream hip-hop.

In 2000, the members of Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander came together to produce an album. The result, titled Sweatshop Union, was released in 2001.

The band signed with Battleaxe Records in 2002 and their self-titled debut album was re-released as Local 604. The group also began touring North America with a number of other rap and hip-hop artists, including their label-mates Swollen Members.

Current members of the group include Metty the DertMerchant, Mos Eisley, DJ Itchy Ron, Mr. Marmalade, Conscience, and Dusty Melodica. Like other hip-hop collectives, the members of Sweatshop Union continue to work, perform and produce separately in addition to their work with the band. Pigeon Hole, Dirty Circus and Metty's side project Trillionaire$ each released albums in 2010. As of 2011, Kyprios has left the group to pursue his solo career.

Their 2004 album Natural Progression led to a Juno Award nomination and three Western Canadian Music Award nominations. They have been called part of "Vancouver's hip-hop renaissance", and had their music featured in CBC Radio's Make Some Noise documentary. They have expanded their touring to the east coast, hoping to increase awareness about their music.

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