Ottawa hip hop artist City Fidelia breaks down the story behind trauma and crime in the hood on “Can’t Sleep”.
City Fidelia has never been one to hold back when it comes to giving his listeners the real and raw truth in his music. His latest single and MV, “Can’t Sleep”, off of his debut album Painkiller, does just that. Featuring fellow Canadian hip hop artist YNR Davinci, “Can’t Sleep” takes us through the journey of a dealer turned man on-the-run.
Directed and edited by Solaris/Evan Hartling (and co-executive directed and edited by Fidelia himself), the plot unwinds, depicting Fidelia and his crew behind the scenes of a metaphoric “traphouse”. A storyteller at heart, Fidelia brings empathy to an otherwise disorderly lifestyle. He reveals why some young men are left with no choice but to engage in illicit activities to simply get by. With a black and white cinematic feel and a suspenseful turn of events, “Can’t Sleep” truly feels like a mini-movie.
Produced by Ouici and mixed by Tino, “Can’t Sleep” has a timeless feel. Using his platform to educate and to relate, Fidelia takes the opportunity to meet his listeners where they’re at by showing the potential downsides to a “get rich quick” lifestyle. Trauma only begets more trauma, as YNR Davinci affirms in the hook, “I can’t go to sleep without the strap on me”. Speaking to the anxiety and trauma that exists in a crime-ridden environment, Fidelia reminds his fans of the repercussions of choices––a theme that is poignant all throughout his album, Painkiller.
Listen to “Can’t Sleep” by City Fidelia above and check out the album review for Painkiller below.
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