Congratulations to you for making it through January. The month of resolutions is over and you can now fall back into all of your bad habits just in time for spring. Get a partial refund on that spur-of-the-moment gym membership and get yourself a pair of new kicks. Return that juicer you claimed was going to change your life and cop a plane ticket. You deserve it.
It can be a busy task getting back into a routine after the New Year and January often disappears in the blink of an eye. That is why we have done you a huge favour and rounded up the best tracks from the last month into a nice, convenient list located below. It may have been the coldest month of the year but it was packed with stellar music that you may have missed.
G Milla – “No Holding Hands”
This track from Toronto artist and Hard to Kill member G Milla is loud, grimy and perfect for bumping in the car. It also came accompanied by a really dope visual that was teased on Instagram so hopefully, we can expect an official music video in the near future. Take a listen to his new On the Edge album if you like what you hear.
Jugger – “500 HORSES”
We were first introduced to this rising Toronto artist by way of his speaker-blowing aggressive single “ARC’Y BOYZ” and were immediately hooked. This track comes from Jugger’s debut PSYCO EP, a short but impressive and dynamic project backed entirely by top level production from Toronto’s own Wondagurl. Jugger is the first export from Killy’s Secret Sound Club and there are sure to be more considering the Canadian rapper’s recent success.
Ariana Grande – “7 rings”
Did Ariana take Soulja Boy’s flow? Or was Princess Nokia the inspiration? Will she release a new track titled “Japanese barbecue grill” – or maybe “Japanese barbecue finger” – following the aftermath of her new hand tattoo? Is it cultural appropriation? The story of Ariana Grande is one with many chapters but the latest has been packed with really catchy music. Keep up to date with America’s number one popstar and check out her latest above.
James Blake – “Mile High” feat. Travis Scott
This collaboration between James Blake, Travis Scott and Metro Boomin is a clear standout from Blake’s critically-acclaimed new album Assume Form. While Blake purists may not be into the contemporary rap elements of the single, the hip hop community has fallen in love with the combination of Blake’s vocals and Metro Boomin’s drums – yet another stellar meeting of minds between the English musician and American rap.
Joyia – “Adore You”
We had the honour of premiering this Toronto artist’s debut EP in January and this is one of our favourite tracks from the three-song project. Joyia is definitely a name to keep your eyes on – she’s working with multi-instrumentalists and production duo HMLT and has already been featured in a CBC Music First Play Live.
Future – “Unicorn Purp” feat. Young Thug and Gunna
Future fans were delighted to hear that his new project would include a track featuring fellow ATL staples, Young Thug and Gunna, and this track is a name worth mentioning in this list. Although “Unicorn Purp” is not the most impressive piece of Future Hndrxxx Presents: The WIZRD and Gunna’s verse is not particularly up to par, the adlibs from Young Thug during Future’s verses are amazing. It’s signature Thug.
Blueface – “Thotiana” Remix feat. YG
If you are still unfamiliar with viral Los Angeles rapper Blueface then you really need to consider moving out from under your rock. The young artist’s charisma combined with his off-kilter flow and infectious one-liners have attracted a huge YouTube audience of millions and it will only grow. Love him or hate him, the self-proclaimed “next big thing” has teased potential collaborations with Drake, just signed a record deal with Cash Money West and is headed out on tour with Lil Baby across the US. This remix of his tongue-in-cheek strip club anthem features a new verse from certified West Coast staple (and Blood) rapper YG and a hilarious football-themed music video courtesy of viral director and tastemaker Cole Bennett.
Billie Eilish – “bury a friend”
Billie Eilish was one of 2018’s breakout stars and the momentum only continues to build as she releases new material and stays on her rigorous tour schedule. We would describe the new music video from Eilish but it is honestly better if you just check it out for yourself – she never disappoints when it comes to visuals. The young California singer is dropping her debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? on March 29.
Toro y Moi – “New House”
It is always a good day when Toro y Moi releases new music. This particular track comes from the South Carolina export’s new Outer Peace project and features Toro singing over a warm piano loop and vocal snippet – a fitting ode to the chillwave that has inspired his personal brand of groovy electronic music. We can never get enough Toro y Moi.
LocoCity – “Job Done”
Bleeker Street rapper LocoCity is one of Toronto’s most exciting upcoming artists and has created a serious buzz with viral singles like “CP24” and “Do Sum.” The Sonny Visual-directed video for this new track features Loco posted up with all the essentials – foreign cars and tons of cash. Look out for the rapper’s debut mixtape, Save Yourself, releasing later this spring.
Kidd Keo – “Pitbull”
Spanish rap has been creating a serious buzz for the past couple of years but Kidd Keo is the latest export to make waves outside his homeland – in part due to his use of both English and Spanish in his music. The Alicante rapper’s Keoland project solidified his spot in the international rap scene last year and marks a new time for trap music worldwide. You may not know of him yet but he is already selling out massive venues across Europe and South America. Get familiar with Kidd Keo by way of his fire new single, “Pitbull,” above.
Lil Berete – “Go N Get It” feat. Loski
Toronto meets London on “Go N Get It,” the newest track from rising rapper Lil Berete. Filmed in Iceland and premiered on GRM Daily, the collaboration with UK artist Loski is a bright, progressive trap offering from the New Gen signee and a fresh reminder that Berete’s debut Icebreaker mixtape was one of Toronto’s most impressive rap projects of 2018. You can catch Berete performing on the last day of Rolling Loud Miami this May.
FOALS – “Exits”
Oxford indie outfit Foals are set to drop two new projects this year – a two-part series entitled Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost. The first installment is coming in March and this new track is the first taste of the band’s new material following their 2015 offering What Went Down. The surrealist video is a nice touch too.
YBN Cordae – “Locationships”
The Maryland rapper and YBN member made a huge splash in 2018 with several viral singles and a J Cole remix cosigned by the legend himself. He was just spotted in the studio with Dr. Dre and it planning to drop his debut studio album later this year. This groovy, infectious love track is produced by S1 and features Cordae rapping about several relationships and women he has encountered in his young life.
DijahSB – “Run My Money”
If someone owes you money this is the track you need in your life. Rising Toronto artist DijahSB released her newest project Looking at Space From a Submarine last year and is looking to have a fruitful 2019 with the release of another project and a continued push to make a strong female imprint on perpetual “boys club” of the city’s rap scene. Fans should check out her performance on BET’s Toronto edition of their #FreestyleFriday.
The Drums – “Body Chemistry”
This peppy jam from the NYC indie pop band is the first single from their upcoming Brutalism album due out this April. The punchy bassline and layers of vocals provide a solid bed for lead singer Jonny Pierce to reflect on the necessities of life and question if his depression is caused by inside or outside factors. We are really rooting for the boys to do a video for this one.
Clairmont The Second – “Grip”
Toronto’s Clairmont The Second is a staunchly independent and multi-faceted artist who you should already be listening to. Described as the city’s “most self-sufficient rapper,” the Weston Road artist has been making waves in the Canadian scene for the past couple of years with his dynamic self-directed music videos and critically acclaimed music attracting several nominations from Polaris and the JUNO Awards. This bouncy, clever rap track serves as the lead single from Clairmont’s new album Do You Drive?, the latest installment in his series of projects written, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered entirely on his own in his basement bedroom.
Kiana – “Alone”
We featured this track on the website earlier this month but it really deserves another mention. Kiana debuted last year with her single “With or Without U ” and is looking to make another splash in 2019. This moody R&B song from the rising Toronto artist is essential listening for this frigid weather.
NorthSideBenji – “Levels” feat. Houdini
NorthsideBenji returns with another viral rap track in the form of “Levels” – an ode to a higher lifestyle and a seriously luxurious future. The Danberry Beatz-produced collaboration appears on his new Caviar Dreams EP – an expansive independent Toronto rap project that is attracting attention across the city.
Sean Leon – “1:19”
Sean Leon stays working. The multi-faceted artist flooded the streets last year with the release of two audio-films and a three-song EP and plans to do the same in 2019. A snippet of this track was featured as a teaser on Leon’s recent Sean Leon (The Death Of) but fans can now listen to the full-length Eestbound-produced banger in full above.
ANKLEGOD – “Let’s Go!” feat. ACDATYOUNGN*GGA
Two of Vancouver’s most exciting young rap talent collide on this loosie produced by type beat producer YMP Cash. We first heard ANKLEGOD on his impressive debut EP Ankaveli, Vol. 1 and we are looking forward to new music from the rising Canadian later this year including the release of Ankaveli, Vol. 2. Both ANKLEGOD and ACDATYOUNGN*GGA were guest performers at Vancouver’s Breakout Festival, the city’s answer to an obvious lack of music festivals during the harsh Canadian winter.