CANADIAN MUSIC VIDEO ROUNDUP | APRIL 2020

It’s that time again! SHIFTER’s Canadian Music Video Roundup for April includes videos from Drake, The Weeknd, Dip Black, Tory Lanez, Kardinal Offishall, Eva Shaw, Kaytranada, TwoTiime, Zach Zoya, and more!

Once again, we ask you (the fans) to vote for our Video of the Month. Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the country for April. Special shout out to our sponsor Greg Campbell – Blue Panda Realty.

Last month you voted for “Hopscotch” by JaiOfTheRise feat. Lil Berete as your video of the month.

Video of the Month (March) – JaiOfTheRise feat. Lil Berete – “Hopscotch”

Who will win for April?

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Sean Leon
90 BPM
Release date: April 1, 2020
Directed by: Sean Leon
Edited by: Nicole Sison and Sean Leon

The video for Sean Leon’s “90 BPM” is more of an artistic, black and white short film than music video, directed by the artist himself. It’s centered around a bustier-wearing dancer who is later revealed as drag queen Miss Fiercalicious. She talks briefly about how drag has affected her life before the video comes to an end. We’re all for the trend of recording artists directing and editing their videos, and exploring another art form. Leon does a great job in the director’s hair on “90 BPM”.

Léon ‘fa du Fond feat. Hellbound Bishop
Birds in my Trunk
Release date: April 1, 2020
Directed by: BanzoFilms

We have another Leon at the top of our list. This time it’s Ottawa’s Léon ‘fa du Fond. First off, this Jay White produced song is a banger. Second, the video, the first of two on our list from BanzoFilms, is pretty interesting. True to the song’s name, it opens with a scene of chickens in a trunk and the chickens make an appearance throughout the video. I would’ve loved to be on set for this one.

Notic
Waste Move
Release date: April 1, 2020
Shot and edited by: Yassinevisuals

In April, Notic released visuals for “Waste Move”, shot, directed and edited by Tassinevisuals. It features Notic and a few young dancers in a back alley. There’s a lot of graffiti and some cool shots of Notic standing on top of a car. It’s a simple concept yet very well edited.

Drake
Toosie Slide
Release date: April 3, 2020
Directed by: Theo Skudra

Next we have the video that had the world buzzing; not because of the song or Drake’s new dance, but because it gave us a rare glimpse into Drake’s new-ish Bridle Path mansion. The video opens with shots of the desolate streets of Toronto. The Corona protocols continue inside with an almost solitary Drake wearing gloves and a face mask in the house. A face mask and glove clad Future the Prince is seen on the couch also trying his best to stay Corona free (as Tory Lanez would say). The video ends with a cool aerial view of the house with fireworks going off; a nice to way to liven up a city in need of some excitement.

Drae
Take Cover
Release date: April 3, 2020
Directed by: Andrew Lessard (Lessard Images)

Alternative hip-hop artist Drae is back with some visuals for his latest single “Take Cover” which has already received some commercial radio play in Canada’s capital. Shot at Cinghole in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood, Drae worked with long-time collaborator Andrew Lessard of Lessard Images on this video. It features all black and white shots of Drae and his band, as well as the occasional shot of the frontman smashing a TV with a sledgehammer. As with his live performances, it’s a very high energy offering from Drae.

Fresh IE
Okay
Release date: April 5, 2020

In early April, Winnipeg rapper Fresh IE dropped a very timely and uplifting video for “Okay”. The video takes a look at a lot of the social issues happening around us, from wildfires, flooding and pollution to homelessness and COVID-19 , and reminds us that everything is going to be okay.

The Weeknd
Until I Bleed Out
Release date: April 7, 2020

The Weeknd continues with the creepy vibes that we’ve seen throughout all the After Hours video releases on “Until I Bleed Out”. There’s a lot of symbolism here. A lost, empty and seemingly high Abel seems to be trying to escape his partying past. With lyrics like, “I don’t wanna touch the sky no more”, it seems the R&B hitmaker wants to make some changes, but the video seems to depict the temptation to go back to his old ways. Despite his superstardom, The Weeknd is still such a mystery, but one thing we know is he’s one of the most gifted creatives of our time.

TOBi
Growth
Release date: April 7, 2020
Directed by: TOBi and Jacob Carlson

We have another black and white, artistic video on our list this month with TOBi’s “Growth”. Directed by TOBi alongside Jacob Carlson, the video conveys a lot of emotion, especially when paired with TOBi’s soulful voice. There’s a rare visual effect, but they don’t take a way from the central focus — the message and the story.

WILL
Love Yourself (DD Mix)
Release date: April 9, 2020
Filmed and directed by: Trey Timeless

Directed by Trey Timeless, who we’ve had the opportunity to interview on The Morning Shift alongside Melissa Vales, the high energy visuals for “Love Yourself (DD Mix)” were shot in an under parking garage. Aside from WILL, the other star of the show is the styling. Whoever picked out the outfits deserves a raise.

 

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Kardinal Offishall
Run
Release date: April 10, 2020
Shot by: Noorez Rhemtulla

In April, Kardinal Offishall released a mini movie for “Run”. Shot by Noorez Rhemtulla, aka Nunu, it opens with comedian Majah Hype playing some of his more popular characters. As we can expect from one of Canada’s greatest entertainers and live performers, after that the film is one big party. It reminds you of the days when you would party on your block without having to worry about someone shooting up the place or having beef because everyone was there just to have a good time. Hopefully next time my invitation will be in the mail.

Doughzart
Dance With The Devil
Release date: April 12, 2020
Directed by: 3FIFTYCO.

What would a Canadian music video roundup be without a video from 3FIFTYCO? This month they worked with Doughzart on the video for “Dance With The Devil”. The video shows Doughzart in and around Ottawa’s Byward Market, as well as Rideau Street. Parliament Hill also makes an appearance at the end. Overall, it’s a simple, well-shot and well-edited video.

Tory Lanez
Who Needs Love
Release date: April 13, 2020
Directed by: Josh “Midjordan” Farias & Tory Lanez
Edited by: Tory Lanez

Tory Lanez and his go-to music video director Midjordan are back with the visuals for “Who Needs Love” off of Tory’s album The New Toronto 3. As with other Tory Lanez videos, it’s more of a short film than a video with great storytelling.

Zach Zoya
DAYZZ OFF: HIATUS
Release date: April 15, 2020
Directed by: Guillaume Landry

The Montreal rapper has been generating a lot of momentum, staying busy during these Covid times. A day after participating in the Call of Duty Warzone live tournament alongside Raptors and Maple Leafs players, he dropped some visuals for “Hiatus”, the latest video in his DAYZZ OFF video series. The video depicts his everyday life in Montreal, from being on stage to hanging out in his neighbourhood.

Mika LeGacy feat. AP and GV
In My Own Lane
Release date: April 15, 2020
Directed by: Ben Telford Visuals

In the video for “In My Own Lane” we see Mika LeGacy, AP and Gifted Visions hanging out in a parking garage and bowling alley having a good time. There’s a lot of energy and dancing in this video and there’s obviously a good friendship and dynamic between the three artists that translates well to our screens.

Jking
High Stakes
Release date: April 20, 2020
Shot by: EK Visions

Next up we have our Artist of the Month for April, JKing. The EK Visions directed video for “High Stakes” is a simple, dark, black and white offering. We see JKing sitting in front of a microphone with earphones on. The simplicity of the video really allows us to focus on what JKing is saying and he’s saying a lot. Although JKing is a versatile artist, he always shines as a lyricist and we see that in this video.

Karen Kewels
Yeshua
Release date: April 21, 2020

Toronto singer-songwriter Karen Jewels is back with her latest single “Yeshua”. The song features a nice soulful groove and bounce. Meanwhile the video has some spurts of eye catching lighting and cool transitions. Some creative visuals from the veteran classic soul singer.

TwoTiime
How Im Comin
Release date: April 21, 2020
Shot by: BanzoFilms

The second entry on are list from BanzoFilms is TwoTiime’s “Home Im Comin”. The WSC Official exclusive release already has 36,000 views and counting. One of the nice touches is how the director incorporates some of the audio from the video shoot into the video, including the crew shooting out the hook. It adds a personal touch and makes you wish you were there. TwoTiime is definitely a Canadian artist to look out for.

CMDWN
MVP
Release date: April 27, 2020
Directed by: Dragan Andic/The .97

In April, CMDWN released the video for “MVP”. As usual, the contrasting Toronto and Atlanta sounds of Castro Guapo and Fiji always sound so good together and it’s no different on this track. It’s a simple video shot at what looks like a photo studio, but it’s good to see CMDWN still doing their thing.

Y.S.R feat. Blizz and WildNation
Puff Daddy
Release date: April 22, 2020
Co-directed by: Munachismo and Royalz Production
Shot and edited by: Royalz Production

This is our first time including these Calgary rappers on our list, but it definitely won’t be the last. With almost 80,000 views to date, this is one of the most viewed videos on our roundup this month (aside from Drake, The Weeknd and Tory Lanez of course). The video was shot on a rooftop overlooking downtown Calgary with the iconic Calgary Tower making an appearance. For those of us from the east who don’t know much about the prairie city, this is a side of Calgary that we’re definitely not used to.

Dip Black
My Line
Release date: April 25, 2020
Directed By: Dip Black & Quest
Filmed by: Quest
Edited by: 2jfilms

With the visuals for “My Line”, the filming and editing duo of Quest and 2jfilms have put together a video that matches the high energy yet dark vibe of Dip Black. We see the rapper, who continues to draw Busta Rhymes comparisons, either on a pay phone or in a cemetery digging somebody’s grave. Fellow Dreamland artist Hevve also makes an appearance in the video.

SVDVM feat. Jahriia
Pop Dat
Release date: April 28, 2020
Directed by: Dirtyscene

In April, SVDVM and Jahriia re-released their video for “Pop Dat” through a 6ixbuzz premiere. Last month we reported, “the video features the duo in front a wall and projector with some Bonnie and Clyde vibes. We also see some money and smoke, as well as members of RBLx who also make an appearance.” Also on display is the onscreen and musical chemistry of the two rising artists.

Eva Shaw & Nate Husser
On Lock/I Been Doing Great/Knocked Off
Release date: April 28, 2020
Directed by: Eva Shaw and Sideways Studio

In April, producer Eva Shaw and rapper Nate Husser dropped visuals from their joint EP I Been Doing Great. As with other Eva Shaw videos, we’re getting very high production value on these Sideways Studio directed visuals. As with other music videos today, it’s more of a short film than an actual music video and gives us a sample of the different songs on the project.

KAYTRANADA feat. Masego
Need It
Release date: April 29, 2020
Directed by: Andre Bato
Edited by: Nicky Keros

Kaytranada is another artist who consistently gives us the highest production value every time. The video for “Need It” is set in a nightclub with some amazing blue lighting reminiscent of the 1998 film Belly. Kaytranada is seen in the DJ booth keeping the vibes going.

Inquire about sponsoring next month’s roundup at info@shifteragency.com.

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