CANADIAN MUSIC VIDEO ROUNDUP | NOVEMBER 2020

It’s that time again! SHIFTER’s Canadian Music Video Roundup for November includes videos from NAV, 88Glam, FTG Reggie and FTG Metro, Nate Husser, K-OS, 401 WST, Dom Vallie, Dax, Kofi, Shopé and more!

Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the country for November. Special shout out to our sponsor, realtor and Canadian hip-hop legend Greg Campbell.

Last month you voted and crowned “Six Speed” by SVLM as your Video of the Month.

Video of the Month //  SVLM – “Six Speed”

Who will win for November?

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Justine Tyrell
Worthy
Release date: November 4, 2020
Directed by: Noah Fallis

While Toronto is more so recognized as Canada’s hotbed for R&B, but Justine Tyrell is doing her thing over in Calgary. In November, she released the Noah Fallis directed video for “Worthy”. According to Justine the song is about “owning your value, owning your worth – and remaining unshakable in your stance of accepting only what you want and deserve.” The song and video are a reminder that nobody can determine your worth but you.

Dub J, JRDN, Maestro Fresh Wes, JD Era, Bizz Loc, Turk, Roney, Jelleestone
Wish I Could
Release date: November 6, 2020
Filmed and edited by: The Knemesis

There are very few things in Canadian hip-hop that’s more exciting than a posse track and Toronto always does them well. On “Wish I Could”, producer Dub J has assembled an all-star cast, from OGs like Maestro Fresh Wes and Jelleestone, to the Errr God himself, Bizz Loc. With the Toronto hip-hop scene in turmoil over a number of promising, young artists having been murdered, it’s refreshing to see artists from different generations come together to spread some positive vibes.

88Glam
East to West
Release date: November 7, 2020
Shot by: Kavin Roberts

Women, women and more women. As Shabba Ranks would say, “A trailer load of girls”. In the store. In the car. By the pool. A harem of beautiful and curvaceous women. 88Glam are living the life and loving it.

NAV feat. Lil Baby
Don’t Need Friends
Release date: November 9, 2020
Shot and directed by: Amir “Cash” Esmailian

Directed by his manager Amir “Cash” Esmailian, the video opens with a cool projection that makes NAV look like he’s standing in the ocean. With a mix of projection, blue and red lighting, slow motion shots, and pixelated shots mimicking a camcorder, it’s a simple yet highly creative and artistic video.

ShaqIsDope
Pressure
Release date: November 9, 2020
Shot and directed by: B. Seales

First off, this is a song you need to add to your workout playlist ASAP. ShaqIsDope reminds you of everything you love about hip-hop. A little big of storytelling, little bit of commentary, with a lot of truth and bars. The video and song remind you of the good old days of the culture while being new and relevant. It’s a reminder of the simplicity of the culture and how it all started. In a time when we’re seeing a lot of girl and cars in music videos, it’s a refreshing to see a rapper just out on the block rapping.

Sleepy13
I Got Mine
Release date: November 10, 2020
Directed and edited by: 3FIFTYCO

In November, Ottawa’s Sleepy13 came back with that drill sound with “I Got Mine”. Sleepy takes us to the streets with expensive cars, money, and weed. Good lighting and subtle effects from 3FIFTYCO.

K-OS
Supernovas
Release date: November 18, 2020
Directed by: K-OS

After leaving Toronto and the industry behind for Vancouver, K-OS recently ended his five-year hiatus with the release of his “disco-pop” single “SUPERNOVAS”. K-OS’ re-emergence and renewed creative expression can be attributed to two things – inspiration from fellow Canadian artist Kaytranada and his reconnection with the city of Toronto. The Canadian music legend blessed fans with some out-of-this-world visuals for the single. Directed and produced by the man himself, it follows the lead of the single, providing us with some feel good vibes that’ll make us wanna dance in a time where we need it most. We even get a few scenes of him dance on the moon.

Nate Husser
Iced Out Baby-G
Release date: November 18, 2020
Directed by: Nate Husser and Philip Chenard

SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for September, Nate Husser, is definitely one of the most promising artists in Canadian hip-hop. Fresh off spending some time in L.A. in 2020, he released the long-awaited visuals for “Iced Out Baby-G”. You may recognize this song as Jake Paul’s celebration song after his knockout win over Nate Robinson.

In this video, co-directed by Husser and Philip Chenard, we see the Montreal rapper hanging out with his boys on the block, then on a rooftop in Toronto, then in the backseat of his ride with some beautiful ladies, with a brief stop at the studio. This is Nate Husser living the life of a budding rap star.

Savannah Ré
Opia
Release date: November 19, 2020
Directed by: Yasmin Evering-Kerr

The true to the meaning behind the song and album’s name, the video for Savannah Ré’s “Opia” oozes intimacy and vulnerability. Real life couples take turns getting vulnerable with each other, including Ré alongside her real life partner. This video makes you want to reach out to that special someone and tell them how you feel.

TOBi
Matter
Release date: November 19, 2020
Directed by: Kit Weyman

You can’t have a SHIFTER Canadian Music Video Roundup without TOBi. He’s Mr. Consistency when it comes to dropping videos.

Between the opening sequence, which includes TOBi floating on water, then standing in front of waterfall, then in a cream outfit in forest, and the falsetto in the vocals, everything about this is so soothing and comforting…and highly artistic. TOBi once again shows off his versatility on this track. There are a lot of artists who can sing and rap, but there are few who can do both at such a high level.

Shopé
Rikiki
Release date: November 20, 2020
Directed by: Dukez

Former CBC Searchlight winner, Shopé, came back in November with his video for “Rikiki” off his EP Rikiki. The video is basically one big dance party with big smiles and bright clothing, a representation of the Lagos, Nigeria born artist’s African roots. He recently started a #rikikichallenge in partnership with Ottawa-based African clothing company Shakara Apparel. We need more of these vibes coming out of Canada please.

FTG Reggie x FTG Metro
R.I.P.
Release date: November 20, 2020
Directed by: Ben Telford Visuals

In November, Ottawa’s FTG Reggie released “R.I.P.”, another tribute to the late FTG Metro who appears on the track. The black and white video is sad and haunting, not only because of the shots of Metro, but because of the quality, tone and control in his voice. This song and video is a reminder of how much of a talent he was and how much of a loss this was for Ottawa. He was on pace to do so some big things for the capital. R.I.P.

Maro Opollo
Suicide
Release date: November 20, 2020
Shot by: Eighty4 Visuals

Calgary rapper Maro Opollo recently released the visuals for “Suicide”. Written and directed by Opollo and Sam White of Eighty4 Visuals, this video about a break up gone bad is something straight our of a horror movie. The scene opens with the main character texting his soon to be psycho ex-girlfriend, “It’s over”, and then cuts to him being chased in the woods by his knife-wielding, love scorned ex. This is a love gone seriously wrong.

Timal Garnier feat. Kareem
Vie De Richesse
Release date: November 25, 2020
Filmed by: Quest
Edited by: John Henley

Gatineau, Quebec artist, Timal Garnier, and Montreal’s Kareem came together in November for “Vie De Richesse”. We can always trust Garnier to bring some Francophone flavour to our roundups.

This video, brought to us by Quest and John Henley (who further the Gatineau-Montreal connection on this production), is pretty simple, but small details like the subtle changes of pace in the form of slow motion shots are pretty cool.

Dax
The Joker Returns
Release date: November 25, 2020
Shot by: Logan Meis

The Joker returns. In November, Dax returned as the Joker spitting all kinds of truth and putting bullies and bullying on noticed. He just oozes creativity both lyrically and as an actor. The POV shots of Dax beating up his victim, then dragging him through the dirt combined with his acting were A1. He’s so believable in the role of the twisted psychopath…maybe too believable. (PS: This guy really needs an Eminem feature. This beat was begging to be blessed by Marshall Mathers)

Kofi
Skrt Off
Release date: November 26, 2020

This is a banger with a high energy video to match. In this video, we see Kofi hanging out with the crew in different locations. There are a lot of glitches, movement and effects that bring out the energy of the song.

Wise feat. Blacka Da Don
Gross
Release date: November 26, 2020
Directed by: TrakSousa

This is a collab we didn’t know we wanted – Wise and Black Da Don. The pair connect for this Karate Kid inspired video directed by TrakSousa.

The video is a sequel to his video for “Tricks” with his love interest played by Erin O’hearn making an appearance. After seeing her with another man (who bumps Wise, making him spill his drink all over himself) Wise enlists the help of his new sensei Black Da Don. There’s a lot of comedy from the pair. It was a very well thought out video with a unique storyline that we haven’t seen in a music video before. This is a great Toronto collab from Wise and Black Da Don.

Freddy Printz feat. Lonelyboyxxo
Nefarious
Release date: November 26, 2020

Now to another collab; this time from Ottawa. Hip-hop artist and songwriter Freddy Printz is back with a brand new music video for his single “Nefarious”, released earlier this year. Delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visuals are set in Ottawa’s Chinatown neighbourhood and feature fellow Ottawa artist and R&B crooner Lonelyboyxxo who sings the hook on the track. Together the song and video, and its slightly hazy aesthetic, tell the story of toxic behaviour as Printz is seen repeating the same old relationship mistakes and getting vulnerable in the process.

Aiona Santana feat. NTHN
Psycho
Release date: November 27, 2020
Shot by: 3Fifty Co and Oriana Santana
Edited by: Santana Productions

November gave us another Ottawa collab – Aiona Santana and NTHN with “Psyscho” off her EP Invicta Pt. 2. With her Latin vibes, Santana has really carved out her own lane in the Ottawa music landscape. Between the song, wardrobe and the back and forth dance sequences, this video really channels some Miami vibes. It’s nice to see NTHN show off some versatility and range by appearing on a song and video we wouldn’t have expected from him.

401 WST feat. 100M’s
Real Quick
Release date: November 27, 2020
Directed by: Marcus Letts

Speaking of collabs, Toronto Raptors DJ, 4 Korners, and Cambridge, Ontario producer Ashton Adams came together in November forming the new group 401 WST, a homage to the highway that connects their hometowns. The pair released their debut EP Our House with the goal of “taking back House music” as a form of Black music. One of the bangers of the project was “Real Quick” featuring 100M’s.

Directed by Marcus Letts, the video is all in black and white with pops of red, consistent with the project’s branding. We see the foursome vibing out in front of a gas station and in front of a white screen before they take the party on the road.

Dom Vallie
The Longest Day
Release date: November 27, 2020
Directed by: nbrhdstudio

Our final video from November comes from SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for December, Dom Vallie. Late last month, he released the visuals for “The Longest Day”. Shot during a weekend visit to Ottawa, NBRHD Studio basically followed Vallie around for a day which resulted in this video. We see him in a local art gallery and walking around the Byward Market. With very few effects, the video comes across as raw and organic compared to other video on our roundup.

Inquire about sponsoring next month’s roundup at [email protected].

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Related article:

ARTIST OF THE MONTH // DECEMBER – KITCHENER/TORONTO RAPPER AND SINGER, DOM VALLIE