Skepta Ignorance Is Bliss

Published Jun 10, 2019

If you're new to Skepta and hoping to settle into his sound, Ignorance Is Bliss is not the place to start. While Skepta is far too seasoned...

Steve Lacy Apollo XXI

Published May 27, 2019

Since joining the Internet at 16, Steve Lacy has established himself as a quiet force. Unfailingly humble, the coy Compton native has been p...

Ari Lennox Shea Butter Baby

Published May 23, 2019

On the intro to her debut, Ari Lennox issues a theatrical warning: "Are you ready? 'Cause it's about to get disgusting. It's about to get so...

Rahsaan Patterson Heroes & Gods

Published May 15, 2019

Time is a luxury that neo-soul vet Rahsaan Patterson uses well on Heroes & Gods. Doing away with schedules and deadlines, Patterson gave him...

Tanika Charles Proves She Has 'The Gumption' on Her Confident New Album

Published May 08, 2019

Just a month out from the release of her new album The Gumption — her followup to her Juno-nominated, Polaris Music Prize long-listed debut...

Tanika Charles The Gumption

Published May 07, 2019

Building on the markedly old-school feel of her previous album, Soul Run, singer Tanika Charles stays rooted in classic soul, rock, and funk...

Lion Babe Cosmic Wind

Published Apr 08, 2019

As the title implies, Lion Babe's sophomore project, Cosmic Wind, is largely an ethereal effort. Dialling back on the tinny, uber-electric f...

Smif-N-Wessun The All

Published Feb 27, 2019

The latest from Brooklyn duo Smif-N-Wessun is clear-eyed and thoughtful, with a touch of rugged East coast swag. Supported by 9th Wonder and...

Don't Call Smif-N-Wessun's 'The All' a Victory Lap

Published Feb 22, 2019

Hip-hop is approaching its golden years, but not many of our Golden Era heroes are here to enjoy them — but Boot Camp Clik offshoots Smif-N-...

Chaka Khan Hello Happiness

Published Feb 19, 2019

Twelve studio albums into her legendary career, Queen Chaka Khan hasn't lost her magic. But in an attempt to do it all, Hello Happiness lose...

Patrik Went to Montreal to Write 'Spadina,' a Rap Love Letter to Toronto

Published Jan 25, 2019

To create Spadina, his tribute to Toronto, 28-year-old rapper Patrik packed his bags and moved to Montreal. "The best way to have perspectiv...

Anderson .Paak Oxnard

Published Nov 26, 2018

Anderson .Paak's highly-anticipated Oxnard is a slow burn. It's not a bad effort by any stretch, but perhaps the excitement that hovered aro...

John Legend A Legendary Christmas

Published Nov 19, 2018

Why didn't this happen sooner? John Legend's booming vocals and stagy vibrato are perfect for belting Christmas classics and he's in his ele...

Masego / VanJess / Shay Lia Opera House, Toronto ON, October 23

Published Oct 24, 2018

Though cooler temps have descended on Toronto, TrapHouseJazz crooner Masego brought a sweltering set to Opera House. Accompanied by his "Tou...

Phony Ppl Mō'zā-ik

Published Oct 23, 2018

It's difficult to improve on perfection which, following 2015's stellar Yesterday's Tomorrow, was the task at hand for Brooklyn's Phony Ppl....

LolaBunz Wild Card

Published Sep 26, 2018

Toronto west end spitfire LolaBunz flexes her agility on her debut, Wild Card. It's a compact and efficient effort — there are only eight so...

Masego Proves His Smooth Operator Bona Fides on 'Lady Lady'

Published Sep 13, 2018

"I remember my first trip to Toronto," recalls Virginia-based crooner Masego. "There was this street musician playing an instrument I've nev...

Lloyd TRU

Published Sep 12, 2018

Lloyd's all grown up and really, really wants you to know it. On TRU, the followup to 2016's Tru EP, Lloyd (quite literally) strips down and...

Masego Lady Lady

Published Sep 08, 2018

If you've been sleeping on Masego thus far, Lady Lady is the perfect opportunity to hop on his bandwagon. On his latest, he's tighter, more...

H.E.R. I Used to Know Her: The Prelude

Published Aug 15, 2018

On I Used To Know Her: The Prelude, H.E.R. hints at how she'll evolve on her highly anticipated studio debut. She uses the six-song teaser t...