[MP3 + Music Video] So Loki – Lil Ma (+ Liquid Luck)

Here’s another one culled from my work on CBC’s Searchlight. This one, by West Coasters, So Loki, was some cool underground, left-field, alternative hip-hop with a bit of a Tyler The Creator feel that made it to the regional finals round and belies the unfounded (IMHO) complaint some have lodged that Searchlight is all about playing it safe and to the middle, mass audience. Really??!

Check out their SUPERMANIC mixtape released on Owake Records for more or the “Liquid Luck” track also included here from their forthcoming album entitled, Baggage.

[MP3 + Music Video] NAV – Some Way Feat. The Weeknd (plus bonus tracks)

If you’re over 25 and live like a grown up, you might have missed the ascent of Rexdale, Toronto rapper-producer, Nav over the past couple years unless you still stay in the clubs or are trying to keep up by reading The FADER. Quick cheat sheet though: he’s the man behind hits by Travis Scott, Drake, Belly and The Weeknd. Intrigued? Don’t even bother trying to hit up that Mod Club show, his first ever, advertised in the flyer above this Thursday. It’s been sold out. Your best best might be to ante up for a trip out to Coachella to his US and festival live debut instead!

[MP3 + Music Video] Napalm Dreams – Wavy (Original + discofox Remix)

More late night steez vibes courtesy Mississauga’s Napalm Dreams. Yes, he is doing that “Toronto sound” and yes, this is reminiscent of Weekend, River Tiber, DVSN and of course fellow ‘Sauga native, Partynextdoor but this is very good. You’ll never know just how close this dude got to making the Final Four of CBC Music Searchlight which is how I discovered him. The newly-released house remix here is just aight but that original version of “Wavy” is pretty epic to my ears. Agree?

[MP3] Jai Nitai Lotus – Better Things

Ooh, fancy GIF artwork! Late night vibes steez from Kitchen favorite and #DK11 album alum, Jai Niitai Lotus from Montreal! Vocally this kind of reminds me a little of my homie, Roger‘s recent work.

[MP3 + Music Video] soclose – Come With Me / Flowers

Another of my favorites from the CBC Music Searchlight process plus their latest release. Soclose‘s Searchlight entry reminded me somewhat of Kelela and did pretty well making it to the regional finals and the national finals considering it was some cool-ass, left-field electronic soul music. Wish they had made it to the next and final stage but only four could. Do you agree with the ones who made it though?