Tag: Toronto

OUT TODAY: Matthew Progress wages war against sexual puritanism on single ‘Digital Underground’

Toronto-based artist MATTHEW PROGRESS has released ‘Digital Underground’, the latest single from his forthcoming debut album God Made Dirt. A stark departure from the album’s previous singles (‘Gen Pop’, ‘Doc Neville’) which were more concerned with politically and socially-focused matters, ‘Digital Underground’ instead sees Matthew exploring the freeing power of sexual liberation. Evoking the feel and sensation of an acid trip, ‘Digital Underground’ is a psychedelic slice of new age funk, harkening back to the work of OutKast, Parliament-Funkadelic, Rick James and The Free Nationals, but re-imagined in a way that falls in line with Matthew’s trademark sense of menace and darkness. Its classic-sounding bass lines are paired with sensibilities skewing more electronic, that are further elevated by Matthew’s pitched up vocals.

Says Matthew of this new track’s origins: “While making ‘God Made Dirt’, Dan Only and I were inspired by various forms of psychedelic music like OutKast’s Stankonia, which we consider a psychedelic Hip-Hop classic. I felt moved to write about sexual liberation as a source of personal power and alignment with the divine. To me, that was best illustrated in story form.”

Narrating the scene of an orgy, the Dan Only (River Tiber, a l l i e) produced track, Matthew offers a detailed, first-person description of the encounter. The track’s chorus is a philosophical call to action, urging listeners to, when possible, choose love (or sex) over violence. Over the course of three minutes, Matthew urges listeners to unlearn and rid themselves of unhealthy doctrine they’ve been taught about owning one’s sexuality and body.

‘Digital Underground’ marks the third single release from Matthew’s full length debut album God Made Dirt (Pirates Blend) that will hit streaming services and digital retailers on 24th November. Composed of nine tracks, the project is a lyric-forward multi-genre mosaic that toggles between abstract hip-hop, punk, electronica, trap and psychedelic influences. The entire album has been produced in collaboration with Dan Only. Through an apocalyptic end-of-days lens, God Made Dirt explores the internal human dialogue between the divine and the primal self. On this intuitive journey through an ominous and gritty dimension – Earth 2023 – Progress rejects doctrine and fully embraces human complexity. He invites listeners to align with ancestors in the cosmos, resist authoritarianism, prepare for inevitable violence, claim sexual liberation while celebrating death and decay.

Listen to ‘Digital Underground’ below, out today (8th November) across various music platforms…

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Fiji – Robbi Niles

ROBBI NILES‘ latest single, ‘Fiji’ marks another milestone in Nile’s impressive career, showcasing his versatility as a musician and his unique blend of musical influences.

Born on the tropical paradise island of Barbados, Robbi Niles embarked on his musical journey at a young age, playing the Tenor Steel Pan when he was just three years old. Over the years, he has explored various musical instruments, including the saxophone, piano, drums, and guitar.

A talented guitarist, composer, lyricist, and producer, Niles made his debut in the music scene at the age of sixteen with his first single, ‘Wonder.’ This song quickly gained recognition in the Adult Contemporary world and charted on the ACQB Top 200. Since then, Niles has continued to hone his craft, building an impressive catalog that effortlessly fuses R&B, pop, hip-hop, alternative rock, reggae, and Soca – a testament to his Caribbean roots and diverse musical influences.

Robbi Niles has not gone unnoticed by the music industry, with notable features in publications like Notion, FLEX, Clout, Purple Melon, Volatile Weekly, and many others. To date, his music has garnered over 1,350,000 streams and views, thanks in part to his distinctive visuals and infectious hooks.

His journey to find his unique sound has taken Niles across the globe, from the vibrant music scenes of LA to the bustling metropolises of London and Toronto. Along the way, he has shared stories of life’s triumphs and disappointments, always delivering a message of hope through his music.

In his own words, Niles speaks of the deeply personal and emotional journey that led to his latest release, ‘Fiji.’ The track is a testament to his resilience and ability to channel his emotions into music, allowing listeners to connect with his experiences on a profound level. As Niles continues to evolve as an artist, ‘Fiji’ promises to be another stepping stone in his remarkable journey. With its fusion of genres and heartfelt storytelling, this single invites listeners to immerse themselves in the world of Robbi Niles, where music serves as both therapy and connection.

Robbi Niles invites fans, old and new, to embark on this musical journey with him as he continues to explore the depths of his artistry. Have a listen to ‘Fiji’ below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

OUT TODAY: Aiza is claiming her own ‘sovereignty’ on her debut album

Montreal-raised, Toronto-based certified Afrobop queen, AZIA is claiming her own sovereignty on her debut album, out today (29th September)

Featuring 11 tracks which showcase her unique blend of soulful afropop and R&B, ‘Sovereignty’ is in the words of Aiza herself, “an ode to the many lessons I’ve learned to become the empowered and unapologetic woman I am today.”

“The album dives into my experiences dealing with heartbreak, healing my inner child, honoring my lineage and boldly owning the fact that I’m a star.”

Working with her longtime partner and producer, C The Reason, as well as an established team of collaborators including Divinity Roxx, Beyoncé’s former bassist and music director, Aiza has crafted a collection of songs that own her power.

Sovereignty features previously released singles, including the playful Afropop of ‘Majimbo,’ Aiza’s French language “eff around and find out” anthem, ‘Kité,’ the delectable and self-assured ‘Alright,’ as well as the album’s debaucherous and seductive lead single, ‘Cocoa Butter.’

During the three years it took to complete ‘Sovereignty’, Aiza explains that she “chose to bet on [herself] over and over again, even when [she] had no idea how it would come together.”

Have a listen to ‘Sovereignty’ below…

Must Listens: Cocoa Butter, Black Tea, Majimbo, Kité

by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Kellie Loder unveils her beautifully honest single, ‘When It Comes To You.’

During the pandemic, KELLIE LODER reconnected with an old lover and discovered that she felt the same things for her that she felt years ago.

The reconnection evoked the Juno Nominated singer/songwriter to pen her latest single, ‘When It Comes To You’. The imitate guitar-led piece, soothed over by Kellie’s featherly heartfelt vocals, reflects that certain connections never stop offering inspiration.

Kellie Loder says of her latest release: “I intentionally took a softer approach when delivering the vocal because I wanted it to feel like I was next to her singing it to her and only her. Sometimes it’s just a little louder than a whisper in the chorus.”

A first-runner-up on Canada’s Got Talent (2022), Kellie has co-written with household names such as Alan Doyle, Steven Page, The Good Lovelies, and Grammy award-winning musician and producer, Greg Wells to name a few. Her empowering anthem, ‘Fearless’ was used as the soundtrack behind the CBC’s Tokyo Olympics coverage.

Here’s your chance to check out the emotive ‘When It Comes To You’ below…

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Right Here – Solitair

JUNO Award-nominated artist SOLITAIR‘s single ‘Right Here’, featuring world renowned DJ Grouch, is the perfect tribute to the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop – it boasts his unique production style combined with gritty urban soundscapes. The high energy track also features a music video directed by London Rich.

“When was the last time you felt REFRESHED and INSPIRED by some new Hip Hop energy? That’s the FEELING I intend to inject back into the music culture of the city, country, and worldwide, beginning with the release of Right Here,” says the prolific producer and songwriter whose first taste of commercial notoriety came as a result of producing four tracks on JUNO-winning rapper Choclair’s gold-selling Ice Cold debut album, while being featured on a few other tracks. “Just as Batman reacts to the bat signal, my new single is a nod to all my hardcore fans to remind them that not only do I have a lot left in the creative tank, but I am ready to showcase new music to an even broader audience with this new project.” He adds: “I also wanted to highlight more of my producer and songwriter side, along with my obvious hip hop lyrical prowess!”

In the early aughts, Solitair toured the world with Choclair and Kardinal Offishall and spent five years moving between New York and Toronto while working with notable American and international artists including Nina Sky, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Busta Rhymes, Estelle, Rick Ross, Elephant Man, and Jim Jones. Back home in Toronto, Solitair had also established an impressive track record of producing and co-producing songs for a laundry list of iconic award-winning Canadian rap and R&B icons including Jully Black, Melanie Fiona, Glenn Lewis, k-os, and The Rascalz. Likewise, in 2010, Solitair had already carved out his musical unicorn status by crafting the pop-influenced, alternative smash ‘Come True’ featuring Kardinal Offishall, that was nominated for a Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul recording of the year, an accomplishment that placed him in the rare company of artists who’ve been nominated for Juno Awards in more than one music genre.

‘Right Here’ is taken from his highly anticipated forthcoming album Dangerous Art. Check out the video for the single below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment