We’re back with another edition of Dope New Music, looking at new Canadian hip-hop and R&B releases from the past few weeks. In this edition of Dope New Music, we look at new music from Pressa, Moula 1st, Eva Shaw, King Cruff, ShaqIsDope, Skip Waiters, ZENESOUL, and more, in no particular order.
SKIP WAITERS | “LAST WORDS”
This song is too hard—the bounce, the instrumentation, his flows. There are artists that just call themselves artists and then there are real artists. Skip Waiters is the latter. His latest single “Last Words”, which has some Kendrick Lamar and Tobe Nwigwe vibes, is pretty much perfection. This song should be spinning on radio and playlists everywhere.
MOULA 1ST | “GIRLS WANNA HAVE FUN”
Moula 1st is back with “Girls Wanna Have Fun”. The beat on this one is straight fire as Moula raps over a Jersey Club Rap/Jersey Drill beat with a lot of bounce.
Some may know him more so for his viral and unfiltered appearances on podcasts like We Love Hip Hop, but his music is on point. He’s definitely an artists who should be on heavy rotation on Toronto radio. Last month, he released a song titled “Busy” with a similar vibe. If you missed it, make sure to give it a listen.
KING CRUFF AND RUNKUS | “FALLBACK”
King Cruff is back with a Kit Weyman directed video for his track “Fallback” featuring Jamaican deejay, MC, singer-songwriter and producer, Runkus. King Cruff knows how to make catchy songs that make you want to move, and this song is no different. He also boasts some pretty sweet vocals. Between his sound and visuals, it’s clear that King Cruff is an international star in the making.
SHAQISDOPE | “MY ALL”
If you like that classic hip-hop sound, ShaqIsDope‘s new single “My All” is exactly what you need. It’s a repeat worthy song with that boom bap sound, a dope bass line, a soulful sample, and a timeless flow. There’s something so nostalgic about this track. It puts a smile on your face and reminds you why you fell in love with hip-hop. Hip-hop with soul like “My All” is something we’re sorely lacking today.
PRIVATE NAME PRIVATE NUMBER FEAT. VIBZZ MAXWELL, KAEPABLE, TRUEACE, AND DJ RITZ | “BIG PLANE (REMIX)”
Private Name Private Number recently re-released his single “Big Plane”, a track armed with island vibes and a catchy hook. Now, he’s back with the “Big Plane (Remix)” featuring Vibzz Mazwell, Kaepable, Trueace and DJ Ritz. It’s an international track with representation from Canada, Jamaica and the UK as each artists lends their unique style to the song. This track deserves big numbers. Run it up!
PRESSA FEAT. FRIDAYY | “GET BACK UP”
Pressa‘s been on his positive vibes lately after going live on Instagram to promote peace in Toronto, even shouting out Duvy and the late Smoke Dawg. The inspirational vibes continue on his new Haze and Beat Cheff produced single “Get Back Up”, Pressa raps about his come up from the streets, while Fridayy, who rose to fame on DJ Khaled’s “God Did”, sings about helping his people get back up when they fall down.
NTHN | “BOUT IT”
Ottawa native NTHN is one of Canada’s best kept musical secrets with his effortless tone and flow that blends R&B and hip-hop. He’s been consistent in 2024 with singles like “Shikorina” and “24”. Now he’s back with his latest single “Bout It” where he sings about his grind and goals to be successful, make money, and be at the top of the game.
TEON GIBBS, BEAUGÉ, AND SUPERDRAMAGO! | “PON ROAD”
The East and West coasts unite on Vancouver artist Teon Gibbs‘ new track “Pon Road” featuring Toronto’s Beaugé and SUERPDRAMAGO! The song, which has a bit of a trip hop, laid back vibe, is a throwback to real hip-hop. This is another song with a timeless vibe that reminds listeners why they fell in love with hip-hop.
DA CROOK | “FIGHT OR FLIGHT”
After gaining even more steam with his single “All I Want Is You” featuring NorthsideBenji and signing a new distribution deal with Warner Music Canada, Da Crook is back with “Fight Or Flight (Playtime’s Over”). The song comes with a high energy video shot by Charlton Visuals where we see Da Crook behind the wheel and in a dark studio where he talks about the things he needs to do to protect his community, all over a playful yet menacing beat. The single is a lead up to his upcoming album Who Decides War coming in April.
SVDVM | “GO GETTER”
SVDVM has had a good year so far after his song “Auston Matthews” was featured in a national Uber Eats commercial starring Auston Matthews. He then followed that with a live performance at Toronto’s ThatGoodGraphic studio. Now he’s back with a byebyeyoung produced single “Go Getter” which tells the story of a young man working towards his goals.
Shot by David Del Rosario and directed by SVDVM himself, the video features bright colours, cinematic shots and special effects, as we see SVDVM in a session with his attractive therapist as the relationship eventually goes from professional to personal.
J CHINNASZ | “GRIOT”
After releasing his 2023 album Too Sweet, J Chinnasz returns with his latest single “Griot”. As of late, Chinnasz has been carving out his own style by rapping over classic samples and instrumentation with little to no drums and that continues on his new track.
The single comes with a video shot by Screen Kap where we see him in and around downtown Ottawa and driving around in a Cadillac. It’s a simple but well shot video.
ZENESOUL | “KEOTR”
After two sold-out candlelight concerts in Toronto and her first headline concert in Atlanta, Nigerian-Canadian artist, ZENESOUL, is back with her first single of the year titled “KEOTR“. Produced by JMS, the uplifting alternative R&B track, which is a lead up to her upcoming EP set to be released later this year, is a reminder “to guard your soul and maintain focus on who you aspire to be” according to the artist herself.
Shot by Mic Daviz in Lagos, Nigeria, the video embodies the words “Black is beautiful” as we see the picturesque sites and people of her ancestral homeland.
EVA SHAW AND DIJAH SB | “RVPTVRE”
Eva Shaw has built a reputation for producing bangers and she’s back at it again with “Rvptvre” featuring Toronto rapper DijahSB. On the track, Shaw samples the classic KRS-One song “Step Into A World (Rapture’s Delight)” which in turn sampled Blondie’s 1980 hit “Rapture”. The song almost sounds ethereal while featuring heavy drums as DijahSB floats on the beat.
TONA FEAT. EVERYTHINGOSHAUN | “CHAMPIONS”
Ghana born, Toronto-based artist, Tona, returns with “Champions”. The song features EverythingOShauN on the hook as Tona showcases his elite tone and delivery as an MC. He really is a “rapper’s rapper” whose craft is up there with the best MCs in the game.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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