Written and performed by Fortunato and guests
Remixed by various producers
Written and performed by Fortunato and guests
Remixed by various producers
The first single from the remix album of Fortunato x The Dirty Sample’s The Coalition, is “Will To Survive (Gordski Remix)”. The production half of Halifax hip hop duo The Goods, Gordski makes a surprise return with this remix, turning what was a collaboration between rappers Fortunato and Ol’ Gorilla Bones into a posse cut featuring some of the best in the underground Canadian hip hop scene. Fortunato is joined by Chadio, Noah23, Wordburglar and Ultra Magnus as they each present their views on survival in rap, in life, and even in the afterlife. Each MC provides their own unique vision and vocal delivery while Gordski’s low-end-heavy beat moves through multiple change ups to keep things fresh through this five minutes of funky boom bap. The remix is also accompanied by the original version produced by The Dirty Sample and featuring his MC alter ego OGB. And if you prefer visuals with your audio, check out the animated video by Kaleb Bumboclap.
Written and performed by Fortunato, Chadio, Noah23, Wordburglar, and Ultra Magnus
Remixed by Gordski
“Get It”, the third single from Fortunato x The Dirty Sample’s The Coalition, is a hustler’s anthem that preaches the tenets of devotion and perseverance. Fortunato expresses that time is finite and we all have one life to live so get it before it’s over. The Dirty Sample’s beat is a gritty, soulful production that complements Fortunato’s positive message. The video sees Fortunato rapping at a variety of locations across the GTA that emphasize the message: an abandoned building, a park, a building that gives the MC wings, and others. You only have one life to live, so get it!
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by The Dirty Sample
The Coalition is a collaborative project between Toronto-born MC Fortunato and Calgary-based producer The Dirty Sample. Sharing a deep mutual admiration for the music of the other, the two finally joined forces a few years ago to work on this project. “I’m incredibly picky when it comes to beats” says Fortunato. “I listened to The Dirty Sample for years and every beat was so interesting and unique! I knew that I had to work with him.”
The album took shape over the last few years as beats and verses were exchanged between the two via email. The result is a dark, psychedelic trip into the grimy roots of underground hip hop. Both Fortunato and The Dirty Sample have lengthy music careers and their experience and passion for the culture shines through. Songs like “The Grime” and “Get It”, the first and third singles, are indicative of a bygone era where dark foreboding beats meet inspirational and introspective lyrics. The Coalition is a must for any listener who longs for the purity of hip hop as it was originally intended.
Written and performed by Fortunato, except “Will To Survive” by Fortunato and Ol’ Gorilla Bones
Produced by The Dirty Sample
“Get It”, the third single from Fortunato x The Dirty Sample’s The Coalition, is a hustler’s anthem that preaches the tenets of devotion and perseverance. Fortunato expresses that time is finite and we all have one life to live so get it before it’s over. “I’ve always felt like I had a short window to make it, the clock is ticking so get yours” says Fortunato. While The Dirty Sample’s original beat is a gritty, soulful production that complements Fortunato’s positive message, Rove provides a heavy-hitting break beat-inspired remix that changes the complexion of the song entirely. But the message remains the same: “I’m getting mine, get yours, we all can get it.”
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by The Dirty Sample
Remixed by Rove
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by The Dirty Sample
Remixed by Pasquale
For the first single from The Coalition, Fortunato’s new collaboration album with producer The Dirty Sample, the blue collar MC goes back to basics. “The Grime” is just Fortunato snapping. Sometimes an MC needs to assert themselves and put an exclamation point on what makes them who they are. “I spit cacophonies awesomely, y’all can hold my coffee” is peak Fortunato braggadocio but also highlights his passion for wordplay. A little deeper, it’s also about dark thoughts and facing demons, his words reflecting that vibe with no remorse. The Dirty Sample provides a gritty big banging beat that is the perfect backdrop for the boasting, while Sean One delivers an epic smooth jazz groove for the remix.
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by The Dirty Sample
Remixed by Sean One
Fortunato & Sean One continue the uplifting positivity on “It’s You”, the second single from their upcoming album, Blue Collar 2. Sean One combines a thick drum track with synth bass and keys for a chill boom bap backdrop on which Fortunato presents his philosophical life lessons. Overflowing with inspirational musings that include “be satisfied with what you got, enjoy the life that you live”, “life is precious, so defend it”, and “Only one like you, so breathe and be true”, a callback to their previous single, the central message of “It’s You” is that the one who controls your fate and can change the world is you. When you’re feeling down, this is the song that will lift you back up.
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by Sean One
Video by Creative Imbalance
Blue Collar 2 is the culmination of a decade of friendship between producer Sean One and rapper Fortunato. The two met when Fortunato moved from Toronto to New Brunswick, and the result was the Blue Collar EP which featured the late Sean Price, Merkules, and Steele of Smif N Wessun.
Seven years later the two have combined once again to create the sequel. Unlike the first, Blue Collar 2 has no features and brings a much more positive vibe. “I wanted the album to be as clean as possible,” says Fortunato. “I wanted my rhymes to show my current perspective and my growth as an artist.”
“Breathe” and “It’s You” are examples of the inspirational ethos behind Blue Collar 2. “The whole vibe of the album is meant to inspire, uplift, and empower,” Fortunato explains. “When I heard Sean’s production it was triumphant and almost celebratory. So I wanted my rhymes to complement his beats and adjusted my content to help manifest that energy.” Hopefully it will do the same for you.
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by Sean One
After two positive, uplifting singles for upcoming new album Blue Collar 2 with producer Sean One, Fortunato takes the opportunity on the third to flex his mic skills with brazen braggadocio battle raps. On “Stop This”, his scathing lyrics are delivered in a confident and meticulous manner as would be expected from a veteran MC releasing music since 2008. Sean One combines banging drums—oh, those cymbals!—a thick bass line, sublime strings, and some subtle tinkling sounds for an epic boom bap beat that is crisp and clean. Or in the words of Fortunato, “Sean One and I combine with an assortment of rhymes over beats complete with no distortion.”
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by Sean One
@iamfortunato
@shiggyseanone
Fortunato & Sean One continue the uplifting positivity on “It’s You”, the second single from their upcoming album, Blue Collar 2. Sean One combines a thick drum track with synth bass and keys for a chill boom bap backdrop on which Fortunato presents his philosophical life lessons. Overflowing with inspirational musings that include “be satisfied with what you got, enjoy the life that you live”, “life is precious, so defend it”, and “Only one like you, so breathe and be true”, a callback to their previous single, the central message of “It’s You” is that the one who controls your fate and can change the world is you. When you’re feeling down, this is the song that will lift you back up.
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by Sean One
Watch Fortunato rap this summer jam in the freezing cold of a Canadian winter...
“Breathe”, the first single from Fortunato & Sean One’s follow up to their collaboration album Blue Collar, is an ode to hip hop and the artist’s journey within it, touching on and challenging various hip hop cliches along the way. From “we’re getting paper, getting paid” to “without the money and greed we can really be free”. Fortunato’s vocals are chill and laidback over Sean One’s smooth, minimal production combining piano with boom bap drums. “Breathe” reveals itself as a mature single from a confident, experienced rap vet.
Written and performed by Fortunato
Produced by Sean One