Tag: Calgary

OUT TODAY: K-Riz Shares Single, ‘Whatever U Like’; Announces New Album

Following a string of critically lauded releases, hip-hop artist K-RIZ returns with ‘Whatever U Like,’ the first single off his forthcoming album, One Way Ticket, arriving next spring on Mo Gravy Records.

The single finds K-Riz leaning into a newfound joy and another dimension to his multifaceted rap persona. Reuniting with JDats, the producer behind the blissful blend of jazz-infused samples heard on 2020’s The Room EP, ‘Whatever U Like’ hits with lashes of delirious dance-oriented beats, a reflection of Riz’s current state of contentment and openness to exploration.

One Way Ticket, which will also feature appearances by Toronto rapper Junia T, emcee/singer Ice tha One, and Calgary-based, Zimbabwe-born newcomer K the Chosen, represents the urge to move forward and embrace new experiences. The rapper permanently relocated from Edmonton to Calgary in 2021, and with that came new influences and a necessary shift in perspective.

K-Riz’s past efforts Peace & Love (2021) and The Room EP (2020) garnered rotation on CBC’s The Block with host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe naming K-Riz as a Black Canadian artist you need to know. Those releases also landed him a nomination for Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards. As part of the festivities

Look for more singles from K-Riz’s third full-length album, One Way Ticket, in the coming months. ‘Whatever U Like’ is now available on Bandcamp. If you like the track, purchase it on Friday 7th October for the next Bandcamp Friday when all sales go directly to artists. 

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KODAE Returns With Vibrant Single, ‘Fractals’

Following their debut appearance on the blog with spine tingling Nu soul/jazz piece, ‘Awake With Crystal Eyes’, back in February 2021, five-piece group K O D A E has totally flip the script on their sound with brand new single, ‘Fractals’.

With featherly light tones and guitar licks injecting some groove into the production, ‘Fractals’ feels like a deep breath. The last couple of years reminded K O D A E of the importance of presence and community and as things have opened back up, many people have fallen into the busy trap of trying to make up for lost time. This song is a reminder of savoring the moment and regaining connection to the world.

Combining a mutual love of modern groove with personal connections to nature and mysticism, With their different backgrounds, each member from K O D A E brings a unique flavour to the table: Annie da Silva’s velvety voice and cutting lyrics, Owen Mcpherson’s gospel roots on the deep five, Seyoung Lee’s lush jazz textures on the keys, Curtis Sauer’s ambitious groove on the drums and Eric Osborne’s fluid harmonies on the guitar.

Have a listen to the uplifting single below…

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Selci Shares Video For Latest Single, ‘Ghost’

Canadian art-pop artist SELCI released her latest single ‘Ghost,’ accompanied by a stunning visual directed by the artist herself. ‘Ghost’ offers a first taste into what will be a fruitful 2022, as Selci puts the finishing touches on a two-part album project, details of which will be announced next month.

Discussing her latest offering, Selci noted that, “it’s about being ghosted – literally and figuratively. The first verse is about the elusiveness of truth. This feels augmented in our current reality with the lack of trustworthy sources and the influx of political conspiracies. The second is about being ghosted by a love interest and washing it away with liquor. The third is an outcry – it gives me the feeling of falling to my knees in surrender to the things that I cannot control in this life. This song is very much a response to the political climate of the past two years. It takes the laments of modern life and compares them to ghosts.”

For Selci, the pairing of music to the visual, is a natural extension of expression. “The video for ‘Ghost’ recreates famous 19th century paintings of mythological women,” she noted. “In contemporary styling we recreated Charles Mengin’s ‘Sappho’, Waterhouse’s ‘Echo and Narcissus’, and Mallais’ ‘Ophelia’. Contemporary dancers dance like ghosts in front of giant human-like statues in Calgary, known as ‘The Brotherhood of Mankind’. In its time, it was created as a celebration of colonization, framing it as a gift to the rest of the world – a dated and simply incorrect view of colonization, and continued harm it has brought to Indigenous peoples.

Continuing with that theme, the scenes of women dancing in red dresses is an intended nod of awareness to the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada. The final scene – featuring a woman, apple in hand, being clutched by another hand from below, is a commentary on the Garden of Eden, and forced assimilation into the Catholic Church.”

‘Ghost’ follows Selci’s September single ‘Type and Send.’ The two tracks show the versatility and dynamic range of Selci’s sonic palette. And with a two-part album set for 2022, the Selci is ready to take on the world.

Why not check out the epic video for the single below…

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Uyemi Connects With Higher Self In New Video For Single, ‘Mindful’

A meditation on reaching your highest self, ‘Mindful,’ the latest single from Calgary alternative R&B artist UYEMI calls for cutting cords with those who block your growth. The track, which appears on her upcoming Butterfly Effect EP, is out now with an accompanying video directed by Alimzhan Sabir (Mattiel, ToBi, Jon Vinyl), with creative direction from Uyemi and video production by fellow visionary artist Selci.

The video takes viewers into a bleary-eyed Uyemi’s dishevelled environment, a metaphor for her troubled world. Connecting to her higher self through a TV set in retro soul-infused sequences and euphoric soft-focus hallucinations, Uyemi’s journey from anguished to elevated state of mind is stylishly portrayed.

“There’s free will/You can do whatever you like…You can be yourself,” Uyemi intones to her turmoiled self from an alternate place. And it’s in this space between strength and vulnerability that she finds her groove. Paired with smooth-as-liquid melodies, her airy vocals waft like a long, calming exhale.

“’Mindful’ is a plea to protect your energy from unhealthy relationships and negative thinking,” Uyemi says. “You’ve got to be mindful of everything around you, so you can create the life that you want. The whole Butterfly Effect EP is about ridding toxic people from my life and finding my voice again after I lost it.”

Check it the video for ‘Mindful’ below…

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Album Review: P.I.M.P (Poetry Is My Pleasure) – Lyrique

Newcomer LYRIQUE first came under my radar with 2020 neon trap joint, ‘Smoke Break’ – and he has firmly reminded there ever since. So when he released his debut full-length album, ‘PIMP’ late last year, I was very intrigued to give it a trial.

I expected the 12-track set to predominantly feature the mellowed-out vibes as featured in ‘Smoke Break’ – but ‘P.I.M.P’ offers a whole lot more as it encompasses array of sounds – from hazy vintage boom bap-inspired cuts, smooth afterhours samples (perhaps spanning from the late 80s/early 90s) to even swing hip-hop-esque tones (have a listen to ‘Casino Royal’) and uptempo 80’s-style/Pharrell Williams-esque soulful funk (Pimpin Wasn’t Easy) –  most of which were accompanied with soul-satisfying thumps of the bassline.

Arriving in Canada in 2014 from his native in the Philippines to work as a live-in nanny, Lyrique’s melodically chilled rhymes are a glimpse into his personal struggles as a temporary migrant worker. Now a permanent resident, Lyrique is now armed with uncompromised confidence and self-worth (have a listen to concluding track, ‘Dressing Room’).

So welcome to the world of Lyrique, a very creditable artist who’s patently striving to fulfil his ambitions as a musician. Check out P.I.M.P below:

Must Listens: Hunger, Drive Slow, Pimpin Wasn’t Easy, Hope Dealer

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