Noblonski & Nolto "Dandy Lions" (feat. The Gumshoe Strut) [SINGLE]

 

What makes the lions dandy is their devotion to dress and appearance. But, “Dandy Lions” abandons pretence and presentation. It answers the door in a bathrobe. In the evening. “Dandy Lions” is a pleading justification for letting things go, for procrastination, and for experimenting with different ways of living. Noblonski's beat provides a peaceful and relaxing scene, in which Nolto promises he'll simply continue to monitor the results of his dereliction, and The Gumshoe Strut struggles to balance and prioritize his time and attention. The result is a call to inaction: give up the things that don't matter, and see what happens. Go gather more data.

The Dirty Sample's remix abandons the peacefulness of the original and replaces it with a "sick day" spent in a dark basement playing video games, giving a new perspective to what data may be gathered.

Written and performed by Nolto and The Gumshoe Strut

Produced by Noblonski

Introducing "Mr Proteus"!

 

With an abundance of lo-fi singles and videos under his belt, Proteus should need no introduction, but that’s what you’re getting anyway for the first single from his upcoming album, Hey Motherfucker, with frequent collaborator Black Art Ninja on production. “Mr. Proteus” reveals an MC with a dense delivery of braggadocio raps that reference everything from anime through comics and sci-fi to the supernatural in a mix of written and freestyle flows. BAN’s uptempo beat is a catchy Motorik Volca 303-style bassline with an 808 and Volca drum pattern. A squealing improvised Electrolobotomy custom synth line drops in throughout along with backing vocals by Peachy Tickles, Misty Beavers, and the BAN Choir singing the praises of—and sometimes insulting—Mr. Proteus. The single also contains a shorter radio edit that flips around the order of the lyrics to create a song that is significantly different from the original album version. Welcome to the weird world of Proteus!

Written and performed by Proteus

Produced by Black Art Ninja

Max Moon - "Little Do They Know"

 

For the first single off his debut solo album, Nickel City MC Max Moon teams up with Toronto MPC & production heavyweight Fresh Kils, one of only two guest producers on his mostly self-produced The Grand Howl. On “Little Do They Know”, Max barrages the listener with reflective art rhymes across a warped canvas of gitched-out jazz-rap. He expresses a pride in modesty and a focus on the essential’s of life, or as describes it: “Don’t need much, a hand to hold, some skin to touch”. He also asserts his individual and singular approach to the genre. “Little Do They Know” is bound to leave heads spinning as Max Moon shows the world that he does things in a way all his own.

Written and performed by Max Moon

Produced by Fresh Kils

Art by Apdtum

Chadio & The Gumshoe Strut present "Flow State"

 

On “Flow State”, Kamloops-based MC Chadio sinks deep into the zone — pairing effortless delivery with a beat that shuffles, swings, and hypnotizes. Producer The Gumshoe Strut laces the track with jazzy textures and lo-fi grit, creating the perfect space for Chadio to do what he does best: glide. This one isn’t just about rhyming — it’s about tapping into something meditative, focused, and fluid. If you’ve ever found yourself locked into a creative rhythm or lost in your own momentum, “Flow State” is your soundtrack. A perfect follow-up to the head-nodding “Bring It Back,” this track expands the Root Sellers soundscape — still grounded, still raw, but with an introspective twist.

Written and performed by Chadio

Produced by The Gumshoe Strut

Cuts by Chaps

Chadio & The Gumshoe Strut "Bring It Back"

Now based in Kamloops, BC, veteran MC Chadio returns with “Bring It Back”, the second single from his forthcoming album, Root Sellers. Dropping this summer via Hand’Solo Records, the project marks a new chapter — rooted in experience, sharpened by time, and driven by purpose. Over gritty, soul-infused production from acclaimed beatmaker The Gumshoe Strut, Chadio blends clever wordplay, lived-in perspective, and a deep respect for the craft. It’s a boom-bap burner that feels equally at home on dusty speakers or in fresh playlists. Already known to many through his “Sunday Bars” live rap sessions on Instagram, Chadio continues to carve out space for thoughtful, grounded hip-hop that hits hard without shouting.

Written and performed by Chadio

Produced by The Gumshoe Strut

Mickey O'Brien & Lee Reed fight "Plutocracy"

 

Sudbury-based rapper Mickey O’Brien returns with a searing new single that cuts through the noise with unflinching social commentary and raw energy. Fusing gritty boom-bap with razor-sharp verses, “Plutocracy” confronts economic injustice and corporate power with an urgency that speaks to the times. O’Brien and politically-charged lyricist Lee Reed trade bars like battle cries, while Uncle Fester’s surgical scratching and the cinematic production of Danny Miles, drummer for the Juno-winning rock band July Talk, elevate the track into a protest anthem built for the underground. 

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien and Lee Reed

Produced by Danny Miles

Cuts by Uncle Fester

Chadio & The Gumshoe Strut - "Been A Minute"

    

"Been A Minute" pairs veteran wordsmith Chadio with longtime collaborator and producer The Gumshoe Strut, delivering a track that’s equal parts introspection and head-nodder. Chadio’s bars cut with quiet confidence, tracing themes of distance, reconnection, and personal evolution, while The Gumshoe Strut lays down a dusty, soul-laced groove that feels lived-in and cinematic. It’s a smooth listen with bite—proof that underground doesn’t mean undercooked. If this is the tone-setter, the album’s about to hit deep.

Written and performed by Chadio

Produced by The Gumshoe Strut

Cuts by Chaps

Epic & Deadly Stare serve up "Chickpeas"

 

After living in the inner city for most of his life, Epic retired from his career and moved away from the centre of the city, a change that provided some unexpected time to take a look back at his life and the little details that define who we are. The inspiration was unexpected and Epic soon discovered that Northside life was in sharp contrast to life in the decaying Edmonton centre. Surprisingly, the shining Christmas lights on the many neighbourhood bungalows were most noticeable. With a beat from Deadly Stare (Triune Gods, Endemik Music) that underscore life’s rhythms and precious moments, “Chickpeas” invites us warmly into Epic’s world.  

Written and performed by Epic

Produced and Mixed by Deadly Stare

Mastered by W.C. Spicer

Epic & Deadly Stare drop their Turntables in the Van

 

Capturing the dizzying buzz of the road and the excitement of nightly shows with horns, claps, and raps, "Turntables in the Van" cranks up the boom bap and takes us along for the ride. Inspired in part after witnessing Fugazi’s tour van washing machine routine and realizing the need to tour smartly, especially when traversing Canada’s vast landscape. Epic and Deadly Stare cram the band into the van to bring their music to the people. What is a band without turntables, anyway?

Written and performed by Epic

Produced and mixed by Deadly Stare

Mastered by W.C. Spicer

Artwork by Shauna Doris

Tachichi - "At The Top" (produced by Classified)

 

Born out of a catchy chorus that is both melodic and meaningful, and not just vapid pop, "At The Top" is a semi-autobiographical song about a regular working-class individual and their struggles to make it in the music industry. Just surviving, paying bills, and trying to find the funds to get an album done. But striving for greatness out of pocket guarantees trials and tribulations. Almost at the top of the mountain, but being rich and glamorous isn't necessarily the success they're striving for. Juno-winning producer Classified contributes a beat of bass-heavy drums and plentiful piano while Sipset teammate LXVNDR lays down the crucial chorus and a dope second verse. 

Written and performed by Tachichi & LXVNDR

Produced by Classified

Kaboom Atomic x The Dirty Sample - Are You High?

 

Look, these kids are delulu if they say they're in the GOAT conversation when they still got grape juice mouth. Kaboom is their father, The Dirty Sample is their grandpappy. The last thing we want is our last days to be tainted by these white labs who keep barking when the doorbell rings. They are an embarrassment to our gated community. 

Written and performed by Kaboom Atomic

Produced by The Dirty Sample

Magick Show - Morning Star

 

For the second single from Magick Show’s sophomore EP, the Nickel City supergroup delve deeper into their explorations of the dark arts with this ode to witches and warlocks. Produced by Max Moon, the beat is dominated by ominous organ notes and plodding drums on which original members Mickey O'Brien and Max Moon each drop a verse while new member Johnny Bizness is relegated the rookie role of cursing the soul with a catchy chorus. Welcome the Morning Star into your life with the wordplay wizardry of Magick Show.

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness 

Produced by Max Moon

Mastered by Dorc

Magick Show create a "Massacre" with their return

 

“Massacre” is the first single from Magick Show’s long-awaited second EP, Samhain, scheduled for release just in time for Halloween. This single not only signals the return of the Nickel City horrorcore super group, but also introduces to the fold new member Johnny Bizness, who produces this uptempo, sample-heavy funk beat on which the trio of MCs—Mickey O’Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny B—trade bars in a bloody orgy of horror-inflected punchlines and murderous metaphors. A minimal vocal hook is given heft by machete sharp cuts from DJ Uncle Fester. The result is a bouncy boom bap track bound to get the heads nodding and the monsters mashing on the dance floor.

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness 

Produced by Johnny Bizness 

Cuts by Uncle Fester 

Mastered by Dorc

Mickey O'Brien - "Gina" single and video

 

The second single from Mickey O’Brien’s Post Cards EP is “Gina”, a love-at-first-sight story set in the birth place of hip hop. On a trip to the city, Mickey and Gina encounter each other, feel the mutual electricity, and decide to explore the feeling despite the limited time they have together. The soundtrack for this tale of romance is a groovy boom bap beat by Fresh Kils beefed up with live keys by Zachary Clement throughout, a guitar solo by Petr Balaz for the outro, and a soulful blues hook courtesy of Sarah Craig and Annie Q. “Gina” is an excellent rap song for anyone who has ever been in love, no matter how fleeting. 

The accompanying video was filmed on location in New York City by Dan Jardine for Boom Shoal Enterprises. It’s an accurate visual depiction of Mickey’s story while also perfectly portraying the giddiness experienced in those early days of love. 

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien

Produced by Fresh Kils

Keys by Zachary Clement

Guitar by Petr Balaz

Remix by Uncle Fester

Mickey O'Brien - Ikigai

 

“Ikigai” is a Japanese word meaning to live a life with purpose, and it is also the title of the first single off Post Cards, the new EP from Nickel City MC Mickey O’Brien. Mickey discusses the trials and tribulations he and the people closest to him have suffered and how through it all he discovered his own purpose: to make music and tell his story. Produced by Fresh Kils, the beat is a symphony of constantly evolving boom bap, assisted by Zachary Clement on keys, Petr Balaz on guitar, and closing cuts by Uncle Fester, blending flawlessly with Mickey’s uplifting lyricism that inspires the listeners to live their life to the fullest and help change the world. Kilganon takes the song in a different direction with his breezy EDM remix as a bonus to the single.

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien

Produced by Fresh Kils

Co-Produced by Mickey O’Brien

Keys by Zachary Clement

Guitar by Petr Balaz

Cuts by Uncle Fester

Remix by Kilganon

The video for “Ikigai” is the tenth video shot in collaboration with Boomshoal director Dan Jardine. With new album Post Cards inspired by and written during Mickey’s world travels touring Japan, Australia, Ireland, the UK, a few American cities, and twice across Canada in the last year, “Ikigai” was inspired by Japan but filmed on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean and locations around his favourite Canadian city, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Epic & Rob Crooks - Green Tablecloth

 

“Green Tablecloth” is the third single from Nassau Manor, the upcoming album from Epic & Rob Crooks on Hand’Solo Records. The chill funk groove composed of drums, guitar and piano by Rob inspired nostalgia in Epic. Thinking of a move from Edmonton, AB to Peterborough, ON, Epic packs the song with imagery of walking around Edmonton. Intentionally going offbeat and back on beat several times to keep the listener off balance, Epic recounts in his unique folk rap flow the memories of various events in his life: a Julie Doiron concert in a record store, a protest to end a war, and purchasing a tablecloth in Greece. The song ends with Edmonton DJ Battle champion Baggy Lean, who contributes cuts throughout, scratching Canadian rap queen Michie Mee proclaiming “Ontario”. Another Epic classic crammed with quirky Canadiana!

Written and performed by Epic

Produced by Rob Crooks

Epic & Rob Crooks introduce "Sad Rapper Jack"

 

Epic & Rob Crooks present “Sad Rapper Jack”, the second single from their forthcoming album, Nassau Manor, on Hand’Solo Records. Writing to the melancholy, ethereal beat by Rob Crooks, equal parts soulful and jazzy, Epic was thinking of a good friend of his that was sad all the time when he realized Jack was part of a much larger sad rapper movement. Were The Smiths to blame? Using Jack as a surrogate for this phenomenon, Epic delivers his message with a dry sense of humour and in his unique folk rap flow. “Sad Rapper Jack” was recorded at the Nassau Manor apartments in Winnipeg, MB in a closet padded with a cut-up used cubicle bought at a surplus sale. That’s a different kind of sad.

Written and performed by Epic 
Produced by Rob Crooks

The video was filmed and edited by Rob Crooks, featuring Epic rapping around a wintery Edmonton, AB at landmark sites such as the West Edmonton Mall, the Starlite Room, and his own basement and backyard. Also includes cameos by local rappers Touch and Emprime.

Fortunato x The Dirty Sample want you to "Get It"

 

“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

Epic & robcrooks "Hold It Down" for the culture

 

It’s the return of Epic! “Hold It Down” is the first single from Epic’s first new album in 15 years. He uses the song to proclaim he is still down for hip hop culture while also touching on other topics that are important to him, such as action on the climate crisis and support for the Canadian hip hop scene. The concept was also influenced by a 9-month deep dive into reggae culture via U.S. east coast college radio shows in his late-40s. Epic lays down his train-of-thought rhymes in his unique folk-rap delivery over groovy, jazz-soul production from collaborator robcrooks, who he is teamed with for the full Nassau Manor album. In an age when many collaborations are done online, Epic flew on WestJet to Winnipeg to recorded it at Rob’s apartment near the banks of the Red River.

Written and performed by Epic

Produced by robcrooks

The single is accompanied by a video shot by Epic and Kelley Dunfield while on vacation in Rome, Italy, and was edited by robcrooks. The video captures Epic rapping in front of iconic spots such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Coliseum at night. Even on vacation, Epic holds it down for the culture.

Mickey O'Brien - "The Medicine (Uncle Fester Remix)"

 

With a vibe reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Gang Starr, Mickey O’Brien’s “The Medicine”,  has everything that is good about positive 90s hiphop. The remix by Uncle Fester adds a touch of jazz and a g-funk flare while DJ Versatile’s turntablism brings that DJ Premier flavour. On this first single from his upcoming Orebody - The Remix Album, Mickey raps about overcoming struggles and living life to the fullest with hope as the medicine to carry on and persevere against all odds. As he says on the chorus, he’s “all in, all in”.

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien

Remixed by Uncle Fester

Original produced by Fresh Kils

Cuts by DJ Versatile

The video, shot by Green Boots in Sydney, Australia during Mickey’s first overseas tour in December 2023, portrays the artist as a James Bond-style character living that 007 life. The video also stars model/actress Annabelle Austin and fellow artists and tour companions Ghost Attack and Ash, who appear courtesy of Rah Records.