Clairmont the Second, Shad, Swamp Thing, and Tea Fannie
Clairmont The Second - they said it would rain…
The new album from Clairmont The Second has been a long time in the making. After critical acclaim and high praise for his last full length (It’s Not How It Sounds), CTS took his time and delivered his strongest work to date. This is a contemplative record full of some of the most innovative beats I’ve heard used to create a soundscape that isn’t just a backdrop for a rapper, it’s a true immersive experience. It’s cinematic. In fact, calling it “beats” doesn’t do it justice, it would be better to say CTS raps over gorgeous compositions. As expected, his lyrics are rich, dense and his idiosyncratic vocal delivery is captivating beyond simple general intrigue. His unique cadence paired with these compositions makes this one of the best hip hop albums I’ve heard come out of Canada in a while. Clairmont The Second is an unstoppable force.
Shad - Reel Speakers
Shad’s importance to Canada’s hip hop history cannot be unstated. No matter what’s going on in our lives, when new music from Shad drops, we know we’ll have some great new jams to vibe with. His latest is a four song EP with acclaimed Michigan producer 14KT handling the beats and the two are a match made in heaven. The beats have a laid back feel while still delivering a pace for Shad to deliver urgent bars of inquisitive, sage-like, observations that keep getting better as Shad moves closer to achieving the status of becoming one of the grandfathers of Canadian hip hop.
Swamp Thing - Slap Slap
Swamp Thing, the B-horror-movie inspired project from Timbuktu, Chokeules, & Savilion dropped their annual Halloween surprise once again this year. This tasty treat from these resident veterans of Canada’s hip hop landscape is one I’ve come to anticipate each October. The beats slap hard like the title suggests and the horror themed verses always make me crack a smile. It’s nice to know that no matter what shitty news is getting delivered, you can always count on Swamp Thing to deliver an album every year that will help put your mind at ease.
Tea Fannie - It’s All Love
Calgary’s Tea Fannie is a rising name in Canadian hip-hop. Earning the coveted opening slots when more established acts roll through her hometown, people who know what’s up, know she’s going to outgrow the scene in Calgary. Her debut album finally arrived last month and it does not disappoint. The release has a downtempo, end of the night feel as Tea Fannie raps about badass women, relationships, and injustices. Lyrically dense and honest, this debut showcases the next hip hop act out of the prairies that demands your attention.
- Jeff MacCallum