Canadian Hip-Hop icon Saukrates drops “Comin’ Up” from his genre-defining album, ‘Unhealthy Dependancy’.
“Uneasy lies the top that wears a crown,” that Shakespeare dude as soon as mentioned.
However as Canadian hip-hop legend Saukrates takes inventory of his life in his newest single, “Comin’ Up”, he isn’t feeling anxious as a lot as decided—clear-eyed about who he’s, the challenges he’s weathered, and what number of miles there are left to go earlier than he will get the complete measure of props he so richly deserves.
In a rapid-fire, three-minute stream of consciousness, Toronto’s grasp of the mic veers from recollections of his hardscrabble previous to visions of the long run, whereas by no means giving quick shrift to the hard-hustling realities of the right here and now.
One minute, he’s toasting to fallen comrades (“Lookin’ again, reminiscing, what number of have left us / OGs who used to squeeze with the most effective contact”); the subsequent, he’s eagerly anticipating a day when he’ll be “out within the clear”—“sittin on’ like half one million/ In a crib on some acres.”
Within the meantime, he has a stern warning for groupie freaks who may attempt to tie him down and distract him from his imaginative and prescient.
As a result of relating to being about that life, this seasoned avenue sage completely knoweth whereof he speaks. (Sorry, we’ll cease speaking like Shakespeare now)
“Comin’ Up” is the climactic observe on Saukrates’ new album, ‘Unhealthy Dependancy’, a 12-track magnum opus that showcases the outstanding private and musical progress he’s exhibited all through his exceptional profession.
He calls the file a “time capsule”, because it’s comprised of recordings he made between 1999 and 2004 which have by no means earlier than seen launch.
“It’s based mostly on a pirate radio present, with interludes and the whole lot,” Saukrates advised The Hip Hop Museum.
The album is certain to solidify its creator’s standing as a key determine in Canadian music, and as a tireless collaborator who’s executed groundbreaking work with the likes of Nelly Furtado, Nas, Methodology Man, Redman, and Drake (whose model of mixing melodic singing and rapping Saukrates helped pioneer).
Retaining that custom alive, the file options visitor appearances by Shakari Nyte (“Hope”) and Roam (“Superior”), in addition to the aforementioned Redman and longtime co-conspirator Masta Ace on the beforehand launched single “My Pager Burnin Up (Easide of Thangs).”
Saukrates’ PCDs have been exploding since 1994, when he set out on the profession path that’s since gotten him acknowledged as one of many architects of Canadian rap.
His affect has been felt throughout the musical panorama of North America—not solely as a solo performer, but additionally as a founding member of the hip-hop collective The Circle and the lead voice of his personal outfit, Massive Black Lincoln.
Through the years, he’s received a number of JUNO Awards (and been nominated for nonetheless others) and brought dwelling a A lot Music Video Award.
This yr, he’s up for an Emmy, for his collaboration with the Washington Capitals NHL workforce on the file “Caps 11”.
In 2024, Saukrates celebrated his three a long time of affect by releasing a particular anniversary version of his 1999 solo debut, ‘The Underground Tapes’.
Consisting of a whopping 42 tracks, the file options 21 traditional songs, every of them accompanied by a narration from the artist himself that explains the tune’s distinctive attributes and significance.
Saukrates can afford to wax nostalgic every so often, as a result of the place he occupies in right now’s market is getting stronger by the minute.
Take his current signing with Frostbyte Media Ltd., a Canadian boutique label throughout the SRG-ILS household.
SRG-ILS is distributed globally by Common Music Group’s Virgin Music division, giving him entry to a wider-than-ever universe of ears.
On the identical time, his private MySeat app is now obtainable on Google Play and IOS, that means {that a} treasure trove of his unique content material is quickly accessible to followers worldwide.
Count on tons extra pleasure and invention in 2025, as a result of with a creator as restlessly creative as this one, there’s all the time one thing new “Comin’ Up”.
