ATSIC S04E43 - Best of S04
I’m proud of what we did in 2023. 42 hour long mixes of the best Hip Hop coming out of Canada, and 26 long form podcast interviews with the artists who make it. It’s been a hell of a season, and this is one hell of a mix to finish it off. I picked my favourite track from each episode across all 41 regular episodes, and DJ Dice mixed them into a 2 hour long mix. Big big shouts to DJ Dice for putting in work to bring you this music in it’s most enjoyable and authentic form - as a mixtape. The country needs a place where you can find new releases from artists you haven’t heard of, and it can’t be a playlist on a platform that gatekeeps based on promo dollars and popularity. I think we’ve got a good solid start on building that platform, and I have no intention of stopping. We’re still right here. That alone is an accomplishment in this industry.
I couldn’t do what I do with ATSIC if it wasn’t for the support of my amazing wife, and donations from people who value the effort and time I put in making these. I want to thank her and everyone who sends music & drops, or who signs up to talk to me for an hour on Fly in Formation. The support I’ve seen has been inspiring, and the feedback I hear from artists who have wished a platform like this existed has been what keeps me going. I also have always thought that someone should be putting together mixes to highlight all the talent across the country. So I did that, whether anyone was paying attention or not. The numbers are slow growing, which is to be expected with no advertising, but they are growing, and that feels like an accomplishment in itself. If you want to help the show, you can donate, or you can tell your friends to tune in. Send them to Doobyis.com if you can’t remember the full Mixcloud url. I appreciate you all so much, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me bring this dream into reality.
Best Of lists are all opinion based, so please check the track list in short form under the write up, and let me know what you think. Who did I sleep on? Who did I help you discover? Should I have included Drake? What songs were more deserving than others? Let me know! I love feedback from other Hip Hop heads, and I’m open to being influenced. Finding new music is my favourite pass time, ATSIC just made it into a real labour of love now that I’ve been consistently putting in hours digging, hosting, and producing these episodes. The response from the community has been so positive and supportive, I’m happy to keep bringing the best music I can find into the spotlight.
The mix starts with Arlo Maverick, KazMega & Just Moe. Dice chopped Moe, but his verse is cool too and you should check the full version if you haven’t heard it. Speed is of the essence, we’d be here all night if we played every verse I liked in 2023. This track was the lead single from Arlo’s “Blue Collar” album, and it’s a full on ode to working jobs we don’t enjoy. I’ve been kicking myself over not asking Arlo what blue collar jobs he’s had over the years, that would have made a good Fly In Formation question, but whatever he’s done, it left an impression on him. Kaz also did a lot of heavy lifting on this one with the refrain about cheques bouncing, it’s catchy and relatable to all us poors. Sometimes escapism and fantasy is fun, but I’m here for reality raps more and more as each year passes. This one was on episode 429, the first one Dice mixed, I think.
After that it’s Drezus, Dakota Bear & North-Side-BaBy on “Just Landed.” Glorious horns announce the arrival of a big tune here, offering up some “look mama we made it” vibes as all three emcees rep their culture and merge trap sounds with cultural references. Big Unc looking dangerous is my new favourite Drezus persona. Glad to see him back active again, I’m looking forward to what comes next. This track was on episode 437.
“GANGSTA” is some laidback bounce out of Calgary, with Yung Papi Bonito & Black$tar flexing over some chilled out keys and snapping trap hats. The stripped down formula works perfectly to contrast the energy in the verses. These guys are Calgary based, so whether he knew it or not, Dice started the mix with a whole bunch of Berta. We also played this the first time on episode 437, but couldn’t pick between it and “Just Landed” and wanted to have all the artists involved represented, so made an exception to the rule to play them both.
Back to E-Town, Sonik dropped a heater early in the year with “Perfect for Me.” I’m not the usual target audience for love songs, but you can’t deny a well written ballad. Sonik tells us about his perfect match over a huge bass synth line and thudding kicks. My wife’s a fan of this one, my favourite from episode 414, which was one of two love focused episodes this year.
Adam Prince scored ten points when he recruited Tona and Artifice the Visionary for “You Don’t Tell Me Nothin.” I’m over here babbling up bad reviews, like dude says in that last verse, but I’m alright with it. Just trying to show love and build a spot where people can come to find weekly mixes of Canadian rap. This one was on episode 408.
“Crazy” is something people might call a “Best of Canadian Rap 2023” playlist that doesn’t have any Drake on it. But please don’t talk to me crazy, there’s just too much talent getting slept on for me to spend time playing music you all have on repeat already. I saw your damn Spotify Wrapped posts. I’m here to break new music, like RUNXGUN, a Mississauga/Calgary based group that I got a chance to talk to for Fly in Formation’s Season 2 finale at the start of December. This shit’s dope. In the interview we talked a lot about their style of sample heavy nostalgia based production by J.O. Mairs, but they also mentioned that they’re taking the sound forward in a lot of new directions, and this track from episode 432 is an example of that, sounding modern as anything ever has.
We played 2 WuTang tracks. The show is named after a Ghostface track, and each episode starts with a Wu feature that’s been released recently, just to remind people that Wu is forever in a very real life way. Their kids are even taking up the torch, and I play them often to start episodes too. This first one from under the W umbrella was a Method Man feature on a track from Prof. Extra dope when Wu is featured on tracks about eating the rich.
“SULLY" is a track from the home turf here in Lethbridge, Treaty 7 Territory. Donny Sage & Alchemy the Linguist grabbed K.STONE & Big Tones and laid out the reality of street life for three solid verses. You can hear truth in raps, and you can also hear when guys are fronting. I still prefer the guys who sound like they’re living what they rhyme about, whatever that is. These guys are in that reality rap category for sure. Big Tones sounding disgusted by people needing fenty pills to feel alive is some of the realest shit I’ve heard for a long time. This one got played on episode 409 and then 426 again for the mid year round up.
Dice put Lord Juco and Asun Eastwood over top of the SULLY Beat to give them some drums to rhyme on, for an #ATSIC remix version of “Buicks, Bonnevilles & Beamers.” Both of these guys were on their A-game lyrically for this one, and the pairing of both these guys just barring up bought it the spot on the list. If you want to hear the original, it was from episode 421. Im talking with Asun Eastwood Jan 16 on Twitch for Fly in Formation, and Im really looking forward to it because he’s one of my favourite emcees in the country right now.
Ray the Nihilist had a few tracks I debated choosing this year, but “Ruckus” beat out “Day Ones” by a narrow margin, partly because I played Day Ones on a playlist that also featured some pretty tough competition. I had to reign back my fan boy ism and stick to the rules sometimes, and “Ruckus” has Ray repping Saskatoon and recapping his journey so far over some grimy trap that leaves plenty of space for bars. Ray seems like good shit on a personal level too, we had a great discussion on Fly in Formation, and from the looks of things on his socials, he’s back in the lab cooking, so 2024 should be fun. Ruckus is from his “I’m Doing Good” EP, and I played it on episode 423.
Kryple released a lot of music this year, and any of them could have been the pick, it just depended on what playlist songs landed on and what competition there was week by week. This one was the most mellow and down to earth of his drops this year. Kryple had gems to drop on Fly in Formation when we talked this season. This track covered some of the same sentiments he expressed that interview, pushing through and maintaining consistency. I played it on episode 433.
Red Rum was Ol Gorilla Bones most touchy feely track this year too. He self described it that way when I talked to him for Fly in Formation. It’s probably one of the tracks I would have picked if I made this list based off of only what songs I could recall off the top of my head without going back through track listings. I listen to so much music each week that it takes a lot to make a lasting impression, but the organ heavy instrumental co produced by The Dirty Sample and Mo’Gravy, coupled with the down to earth no nonsense lyricism of OGB might have even been my favourite track of 23. I played it on episodes 415 and again on 426.
Quake reminiscing about smoking with his friends from the past on “Learn as I Go” might have been enough to lock in a spot on the list this year, but when he added the nostalgia of a 2023 Young Buck feature, it was a wrap. I played this track on episode 439.
Then it’s GFK’s turn to rep the Wu. 2 hours of music, 2 Wu features, that’s the recipe. “Happy” has him featured on a track by Joy Denalane, and the two pour out some soul in memory of days departed.
Dice didn’t even know it, but he played Skevious Tips in perfect position after GFK and Joy sang about the departed, because unfortunately, the young artist passed away after a battle with cancer. This track is actually from 2022, so it was originally played on ATSIC S03E31, but when he left the physical early in the year, I played it again in his honour on episode 406. One more was definitely due, this song is so on point, it deserves to be passed along in his memory.
AzraelRapsGood & The Dirty Sample dropped an album called “Content” in April, and it was solid “Gold.” That’s the one I played, with Az dropping gems throughout. Golden beat, golden quotables. This one was featurued on 407 and again on 426.
From coast to coast, we’ve got it covered. AzraelRapsGood is west coast based, and we go from there to DK, Chuuwee, Eddie Kaine, MOMONEYMATTEO out on the East coast, united for “Gold Tooth”, one of the singles from DK’s “Atlantic Rap” album. This one was from episode 435 originally.
JRoberts was so consistent this year it was tough picking one of his tracks, but “Paid in Full” was my pick from episode 439. I don’t feel like JR is doing anything that hasn’t been done or saying much that hasn’t been said before (who is really), but his voice is instantly recognizable, and that’s one of the main things I look for in an emcee. The body of work just keeps growing too, the man stays busy.
DJ Dice put in some overtime on his holidays this year to flex a bit extra on this mix. At the hour mark he put on a clinic. The blends on this episode are all in full on beast mode as well. I’m so appreciative of Dice and all my other talented friends. Shouts to DJ Baggylean & Deez Waxx too. I picked up a DJ controller this month, but it’s not here yet, and even when it arrives I’ll have a lot of years work to put in before I’ll be able to show out on the turntables. Replacing Dice or Baggylean isn’t the intent at all, just adding tools to the skill set.
After Dice juggles it a bit we get into the second hour of music, with East Coast mainstays Tachichi & Lxvndr’s “Neck Breaker Boogie” kicking the door in. Truro OG DJ Moves blessed the Halifax duo with a banger, and they delivered on the mic with bragadocio questioning who Halifax’s “the guy” is. My vote goes to Tachichi, probably. This one is from their collab album “Found Money” and I first played it on episode 410.
Skizza is the second Saskatoonian in the mix, with “Orchard” representing his year worth of work with AK Productions. Their “Champion Season” series started in the summer, and they dropped 3 albums before the buzzer. One even featured a verse from me on a track, so you know it’s quality. I played this on episode 430.
“Put It Down” from BNPK and Tariiiq is one of my favourite jams this year. Since I picked these songs one by one from each episode, some might not have made the cut if I just sat down and thought back or looked at a scrambled list of everything I played. This isn’t one of those, this one would have been one of my instant picks no matter what. Upbeat and bouncy “real boom bap” is my shit, and Tariiiq always delivers lyrically. Plucked this one from episode 405 and again on 426.
Cxtotheworld is an Edmonton based artist who dropped a lot of good shit in 2023. My pick was “Image, ” which I played on the second episode of the season. Cx rhymes about trying to make music that the people want to hear, and how all that involves is portraying the popular image. I agree with him. This one was early in the season, from episode 402.
Frankenstein has been making music long enough that Dice knew who he was, and my dude stopped paying attention in like 1995. I personally don’t know the history, but I know that his drop this year with Thrust OG, “So Fresh” is a certified jam. More funk filled head nod boom bap, and bars from veterans who haven’t lost a step. Played this one on episode 403 & 426.
Justo the MC is from NY, but his partners in crime for his 2023 album “Where There’s Smoke,” DK and Uncle Fester are both based in Halifax. Seeing scenes connect like this to put entire projects together is so refreshing. Sometimes it feels like the only Canadian who anyone in American Hip Hop knows is Drake.. or Kardi. That’s a shame, but I’m here to promote crossovers like this one. The theme of the entire album revolved around an apartment fire, and this song finds Justo & Ghettosocks looking to find peace in a hectic world, over top of some smooth jazz. DK’s drums are always on point, sounding like Questlove was on stage. I played this one on 416, and it also got a spot on 426 when I did a mid way retrospective look back at the first half of the year.
Stephen Hero gave me almost two hours of his time for Fly in Formation, and we talked a lot about the motivations and stories behind his album “Paper Flowers.” He broke down the urban legend behind this track, “Scissor John,” who iirc was a preacher turned serial killer who chose scissors as his weapon of choice. Legend says if you look into a crack in the guys tombstone, you can see the scissors he used, gleaming.. but Stephen doesn’t believe in that sort of thing so he couldn’t tell me whether you actually could see the flowers or not. His explanation shed a lot of light on what the hell he’s rapping about here, prior to talking to him I thought this was some sort of commentary on religion in general. I played this one on episode 428.
Tona killed a lot of feature verses this year, but my favourite track from him personally had to be “Cookin,” which I played on ep 425 and again on 426. The Toronto heavy weight gives his thoughts on longevity in the rap scene over top of a stuttering vocal sample along the lines of the A Milli beat.
One artist who really reps this Canadian underground culture and never seems to stop dropping new music is Moka Only. Always and eternally effortless and smooth, “Naturally” is him doing what he does best, kicking relaxed rhymes about day to day life over top of some smoked out, bare bones jazz club styled drums and bass. Always on the look out for new music from one of the longest surviving emcees in the game. I played this one on episode 431.
Tone Chop and Frost Gamble also never stop releasing music, so choosing just one from them was a bit of a challenge. I had to go with one called “Anti-That” from episode 418 (and 426). I actually did a verse on this but I didn’t send Dice the ATSIC remix version to play, because the original is dope enough and I don’t wanna take too many liberties with the songs people send me. Anyways, this one has Tone detailing his opinions on which music should and shouldn’t be considered Hip Hop. Hot button topic, but I’m here for it, and sometimes I agree. I also love a lot of trap and drill if I’m being honest, but boom bap is where my heart is.
Songs with a message always get a boost, so Raz Fresco and fellow BKRSCLB emcee The6thLetter kicking knowledge and trying to inspire the youth to do better got a spot in this mix after I played it on episode 419. There were a lot of Raz Fresco laced tracks that I could have chosen, but the combination of the gems dropping and the top quality sound quality that he achieved on his Figub Brazlevic collabo, “777” was a nice switch up from some of the grimier sound quality recordings that sometimes pop out of the oven. Raz has bars no matter what, but for a mix like this I wanted to use songs with big clean mixes, for the most part.
Back in Berta, it’s YNG Bear, an artist from Treaty 6 up near Edmonton (I believe), had a great year. I don’t think I knew anything by him before 2023, but he made a lot of noise in the last 365. I picked “O.D” from episode 412 (& 426). This track is just catchy as hell, the combo of melody and lyrical content locked it in as a must play for the Best Of mix. Always happy to help get some locals into a wider spotlight too, not that homie will need much help if he keeps making music like this.
Connor Price was Russel Crowes son in a movie. I learned that this week on his IG. What I knew about dude was that he was based out of Toronto and has been spitting real intricately crafted bars and putting together some of the most polished promo content videos I can think of. He recruited Haviah Mighty, so this track “Trendsetter” features two of the city’s most slept on and talented acts on one track. Shoe in for a spot on the list. Haviah had a big year too, I played her music plenty, but because of the way the episodes shook out, this is the track I picked to represent both her and Connor, since it’s catchy, bouncy, and polished. Some episodes it was really tough to choose my favourite, but this one was an easy choice from episode 434.
I can’t front like I’m the target audience for “Less is More” from K-Riz’s album “One Way Ticket.” He’s got Ice Tha One singing the hook, and he holds down 2 verses about love and raw sex in ways that somehow didn’t feel like too much retread. There’s a bar in there about “we in each others mind so lets finish painting the picture” or something like that, and it does what I love about gangster rap still, but for love songs, which might be even more difficult - says something that’s been said a million times in a new way that I hadn’t thought of. Gotta be the slickest way to say “lets get naked” in 2023, and it was only one of the many thinly veiled nods to getting freaky featured throughout. This one was from episode 427.
Kimmortal is a Vancouver based artist who always brings social commentary, but with “Stop Business As Usual” she’s really perfected the formula by pairing calls for Land Back and an end to Palestinian genocide with an airy boom bap beat and some soulful vocal samples. She lays out a call to action for the listeners, questions white privilege and systematic racism, mentions the genocide at home in Canada, and it’s mass graves and parallels, and firmly secured a spot on the best of list. This track was originally on episode 438.
“On Guard” was one of several singles I liked a lot this year from Sudbury based emcee Mickey O’Brien. He’s graced Fly in Formation both seasons to talk about different albums, and recently got back to his job at the nickel mine fresh off a successful tour in Japan and Australia. This track has him just barring out and discussing his drive and dedication to the craft and fighting temptation, looking back at lessons learned, and just tap dancing across yet another dope beat from his frequent collaborator and producer extraordinaire Fresh Kils. This one was from episode 424.
I couldn’t keep The Mighty Rhino off the list. Homie is one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever encountered online, constantly championing various causes and posting with empathy and kindness. Then on the other hand, he absolutely stomps the shit out of beats with an amazing command of vocabulary and cadences. This posse cut, “We Gon’ Stomp Shit” features the illustrious Thirstin Howl the 3rd, Tragedy Khadafi, Guilty Simpson, Bonshah, Fraction & Ultra Magnus, forming some sort of super group for one track only. Everyone sounds in top form here, making this one of my favourite cypher style tracks of the year. I have no idea what goes into getting this many greats onto one track, but I’m glad Rhino is out there making it happen. I played this gem on episode 415.
Daniel Son is always dope, very lyrically consistent. He’s based out of Toronto, and often makes really grimy boom bap that I couldn’t really fit into a more upbeat mix like this one, but “The Drunk Tank” with DJ Moya broke the mold and has him moving at top speed above a steady boom bap banger with a vocal scratched hook. That’s my shit right there. Narrowly edged out his track “Gun Under the Poncho,” but there was more competition on the episode that featured that one. “The Drunk Tank” was on episode 404 early in the year.
“Boogie” is just undeniable. Calgary based artist Sinzere always delivers, and this single would definitely fit on any dance floor I’d ever want to be on. Funk vibes in full effect as she encourages everyone to shake something. Episode 440 featured this track last month.
Illvis Freshly are regulars on the festival circuit, and their new joint “One Two Three” will fit right in. The bass line here is just silly, and the boys bar up with some straight on no nonsense lyricism that’s sure to keep bodies moving when they perform. Props to whoever produced this too, shit is dope. This one was my pick from episode 436.
From here on out the mixing was on my shoulders, Dice told me he didn’t want to play the tracks with BPMs up in the 120s this late in the mix. I couldn’t stomach not having a track from each episode, so I finished out the mix myself with some trap hi hats snapping away on “Paperwork”, an ode to making money from Hungry & Young Stitch featuring D-Rec. All three complete the mission, kicking bars to inspire people to make the money but not let the money make them. I like that sentiment. Episode 417 was the original home for this one.
Kaboom Atomic is a dope emcee, but he’s also hilarious. His IG is well worth the follow. I think dude is a stand up comedian too, but I might be hallucinating that detail. “Double Up” has him using as many double entendres and dual meaning words as possible, and it makes me chuckle every time because the typical bragadocio bars are all just so cleverly crafted. Great lyricism is what I’m looking for mostly, and this one checks the box for that. It was from episode 420 (& 426).
Then I went with back to back Spitty. He dropped a lot this year, but both “Not For Me” and “Brrrrrrr” were anthems. The first has him talking about choosing to pursue music instead of a regular path through life (relatable), and the second is just hype as fuck. Bramptons best is in attendance on this one, and not just rap wise. Spitty’s content grind is incredible, and he’s even been making moves in the community hosting open mic events and working with other locals on his songs. “Not For Me” was the pick from the debut episode, 401, and “Brrrrrrr” was featured as an ATSIC exclusive early drop on episode 413.
“Waves” got the pick from episode 422. Skye Stoney is an artist I don’t know much about, but this track is a high energy mash up of reminiscing on lost homies and representing for his people while pushing into the future. Going mad hard for our people is something we need more of, everyones too busy trying to get the bag themselves.
Switch hits like a gut punch on “Things I’ve Seen,” talking in the first verse about drug use and harm reduction, and in verse 2 about losing his uncle to slow decline Alzheimer’s. Lyrically he’s always intricate and witty, but when he takes on topics like this, the BC emcee is in his element. It might not be the typical commercial viable record, but it’s one that deserved a spot on the ATSIC list picked from episode 401.
Another track that reminiscing about the things they’ve seen, “Lookin’ Back” from T-Bear featuring renowned wordsmith Quake Matthews and renowned crooner JRDN. Most of T’s listeners seem to be East Coast based, but his IG profile said Calgary, so I have to assume he’s another in the long line of rappers who have moved west for work. If he’s able to put work like this together consistently, he might be moving again soon, on an upward trajectory. This was picked from episode 411.
The last track on the wrap up mix is “96’ Bulls” from episode 441. When the dream team unites, we take notice. Drezus joined Snotty Nose Rez Kids for a victory lap celebration of greatness. This one’s ready for big placements and radio rotation, and it’s repping their roots and heritage the whole way through. Beautiful to witness the frontrunners in the First Nations rap scene linking up and creating bangers like this. I’d take an entire album from this team, personally. I think their styles contrast perfectly, with both sides bringing something unique to the table.
That’s all for this year. Thanks for tapping in, listening, and reading. If you enjoy the music, show love by telling a friend or sharing a post. Even just hitting like on posts and stories about ATSIC will help boost it to more peoples timelines and it’s hugely appreciated.
The second season of my interview series, 'Fly in Formation,' has concluded, but Season 3 is returning Tuesday January 2! The Jan/Feb schedule is posted down below, starting with with American Niagara based emcee John Creasy & and Halifax based producer Uncle Fester to talk about their 2 recent releases and what’s up next. Things are gearing up to maintain momentum into the new year, stay tuned. Check the promo below to see who else is coming up, I’m excited to talk to everyone and learn some game. Make sure to hit follow on Twitch or subscribe so you don’t have to watch the ad breaks during interviews! Help build a community by popping up in chat and asking questions to me or the guests.
Every week, I buy every song I play, unless the artist sent it to me, saving me a buck. I believe in buying music to support independent artists. Making music is time-consuming and expensive. Streaming doesn’t pay much at all, and since streaming has become the way most people consume music, it’s even more important to make sure to buy tickets, buy music (physical or digital), and buy merch from artists you want to hear more from. Streaming pays next to nothing, so if you want artists working on more music instead of working more shifts at their day job, you need to show them love by opening your wallet and giving them financial support.
Telling a friend is another great way to support the show, I appreciate everyone who helps spread the word immensely.
Happy New Year!
Stay Up.
