In this edition of Dope New Music, we look at new hiphop and R&B, as well as other genres, from artists like Burna Boy, Portion, Charmaine, Haviah Mighty, Mindflip, Boslen, and more.
BOSLEN | “Crazy”
Boslen is one of the most talented artists in Canada. Period. His songwriting and creativity are top tier, and he can do any style. He shows it again on his latest single “Crazy” with his effortless vocals and laid back groove. There’s a nostalgic feel to it with hints of late 70’s, early 80’s inspiration.
Everyone is trying to do genre-less music, but for Boslen it doesn’t come across as a gimmick or something he’s just trying because it’s the current wave. Although he’s a signed artist, he still doesn’t getting mentioned enough when we talk about Canadian exports in music.
CHARMAINE feat. CHENZEHN | “HOOD RAT SHIT”
Since the beginning of her career, Charmaine has been dropping anthems for the ladies and she’s back with another one, with help from Chenzehn. Since starting her own label Big Sound Recordz with the goal of being a champion for female artists, she’s done just that, collaborating with Paris Richards on the “Geez Remix” and now with Chenzehn on “Hood Rat Shit”.
Over the years she’s built up a reputation for being bold and unashamed and she’s at it again as she sings “We outside. Fuck your feelings”. Their flows coupled with a basic piano baseline and a bouncy beat gives both men and women a dope record to bump this summer.
BURNA BOY feat. 21 SAVAGE | “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
We’re used to hearing Burna Boy on some smooth Afrobeat tracks, but on a hip-hop/R&B beat? And Brandy’s “On Top of the World” sample at that? Okay, Burna Boy. We’re in a time when we’re missing music that makes you want to dance, so Burna Boy and 21 Savage on a nostalgic and legendary sample is welcomed. Although it may seem unlikely, both of their voices compliment the beat so well.
This is a big time for Burna Boy who is set to become the first Nigerian artist to headline a stadium in the U.S. with his upcoming show at Citi Field in New York. He also became the first African artist to reach one billion streams on Audiomack. It’s safe to say he’s Africa’s biggest crossover star and songs like this are the reason why.
ZENESOUL | Reality
Today, Toronto’s Zenesoul released a three pack titled Reality and its soulful vibes almost feel foreign in a era of R&B that lacks soul and is more about sex than love and heartbreak. The sound is nostalgic and the vocals are beautiful. This EP is what R&B is supposed to be.
MINDFLIP | Duality: The Life Of A Gemini
Mindflip is having a big year, including a summer tour, a performance at Osheaga, a gold plaque, and now a billboard in Yonge-Dundas Square. Now the very deep and spiritual soul is back with a new EP Duality: The Life Of A Gemini. In recent years, the Gatineau, Quebec native, who rose to popularity rapping over traditional West Coast beats, has expanded his repertoire with pop hits while still staying true to his rap roots. This has carried over into the new project.
“Never Let You Down”, which once again blurs the lines between hip-hop and pop, comes with a new cinematic video. If you’ve followed his career, it’s clear that the talented rapper is becoming a star right before our eyes.
HUESO | “Believe It Or Not”
Ottawa is in the building! Hip-hop artist and singer, Hueso, is back with a new single and music video “Believe It Or Not”. Produced by ripvctr, it features heavy drums with Hueso riding the beat.
BEATCAVE X BLUXZ feat. JRDN, LOLA BUNZ AND FAME HOLIDAY | “Been A Minute”
There are two things that are a treat working in the music industry―one is seeing artists who you’re a fan of appearing on a track together and the second, is being there when it was made. BEATCAVE and Bluxz‘s “Been A Minute” featuring JRDN, Lola Bunz, and Fame Holiday was created at BEATCAVE’s Camp 6 and SHIFTER was in the building! Imagine JRDN, Lola Bunz, and Fame Holiday blessing the track with Töme providing background vocals and Charmaine providing some music direction from the couch. Fire. The song speaks for itself. Check it out for yourself.
TOBI feat. TOPAZ JONES | “All Night Long”
It’s safe to say TOBi is one of the dopest artists in Canada. Period. His talent knows no bounds. He can pretty much do anything.
He recently released a new EP All Night Long featuring previously released tracks, except for the title track “All Night Long”. There are bars, soul and dope production. Another one for TOBi.
ALLCAPYOW feat. DUVY and OTG Stiffy | “More Of My Love”
With his first two singles, Toronto’s ASYCI has shown he’s an artist to pay attention to with a very unique and soulful tone. While “Meant something to me” was a velvety smooth love song, “More Of My Love” boasts an upbeat yet laid back groove with the same buttery smooth vocals. Another dope track from ASYCI.
TARA LORD | “Finally”
Listening to Tara Lord, she has star potential and it’s evident on her new single “Finally”. Her vocals are super tight with a very polished tone and the drums hit hard. On top of that, her flow and delivery is strong, adding emotion to the song. Dope.
HAVIAH MIGHTY feat. OMEGA MIGHTY | “Zoom Zoom”
The Mighty sisters, Haviah and Omega, have teamed up again on the new single “Zoom Zoom”. It’s a nice track for the summer with some Reggae vibes. The two are always good at complimenting each other on a song, so what else would we have expected. The only thing missing is a Skillibeng feature.
PORTION | “Downfall”
Melodic rap is something that’s been overdone, but an artist who does it well is Portion. He does it too well. He displays as much on his latest single “Downfall”. On the song he talks about people praying on his downfall and having to cut ties with friends.
The single came with a video, shot in Atlanta. While a lot of Toronto hip-hop artists flock to L.A., it’s nice to see Portion head to the South.
The Scarborough native is another artist who doesn’t get enough mention among the top Toronto artists, but should given his talent.
YSN Fab | Thru The Thunder
Winnipeg’s very own YSN Fab recently dropped a project Thru The Thunder featuring previously released tracks, including the title track “Thru The Thunder”, and new tracks “When It Gets Bad” and “Rich Off My Notes”. He stands out as a talented artist and songwriter who really puts his heart into his music.
K. Forest | Pray For A Beautiful Sky
K. Forest recently dropped a new project Pray For A Beautiful Sky. Aside from the previously released “$Weet n $Our”, which has almost 500K streams on Spotify, it has a number of standout tracks, including “Most”, “Highs and Lows”, “Thug Passion”, “Yukon”, “Bound4thi$, Still Love Me?” It’s a pretty solid project where he mixes up sounds and shows us what he can do.
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