Canada’s hip-hop and dance music scene is on fire right now. There are no two ways around that statement, and there is an undeniable dosage of talent that is currently overflowing from their boundaries. Cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto have become massive hot beds for next level producers, mixing a manifold of different styles to create unorthodox and high flying tracks. Artists like A-Trak, Adventure Club, Zeds Dead, Kaytranada, Ryan Hemsworth, deadmau5, Excision, Datsik, Grimes, Purity Ring, and so many others have set the standard for Canadian dance music, and now there is a whole new offspring of producers that are stemming from our neighbors to the North.
Seemingly pulling influence from all these aforementioned artists, this next wave is dabbling in a unique style that often toys with instrumental hip-hop, R&B, and various fields of electronic music to build a sound that is worth playing on repeat. These aren’t just dance music producers, but artists from all walks alike that are helping put Canada even more on the map than ever before. This list is just scratching the surface, but showcases 25 essential upcoming Canadian producers in no specific order that are taking things to uncharted territories. Stream the entire playlist on our Soundcloud.
25. falcxne
Montreal and Mississauga based producer falcxne is on point right now. The immensely talented artist is just starting to get his shine, focusing less on social media sites and more on Soundcloud and Bandcamp releases. He has already caught the attention of Ta-Ku on his Drive Slow, Homie series, and creates a unique amalgam of 8-bit and hip-hop influences that quickly catches your attention.
24. Stint
Stint claims Vancouver and Los Angeles as his places of residence, and is making a name for himself in the world of dance music with a visceral, rock influenced sound. He has been seen remixing songs from artists like Radiohead, Young The Giant, and Lana Del Rey, perfecting a meticulous approach to production that stands out with its undeniable creativity.
23. Ianborg
Ianborg has been doing the damn thing for a few years now, kick starting his career with a handful of ethereal remixes that were highly addicting. More recently, the British Columbia based producer has been working constantly alongside Crywolf. Together they have released a full EP entitled Runaway, and they both seem to be discovering their sound alongside each other.
22. Tails
Focusing on a raw, hip-hop influenced sound, Tails is making some serious moves lately while recreating tracks from artists like Brandy, Janet Jackson, and Future. He is based out of Vancouver, and is one of the many rising Canadian producers that are creating a fresh sound in the beat scene. Tails associates with SYZYGY and Chapel Sound, and recently worked with Maximus MMC on a Rich The Kid remix.
21. The Theorist
The Theorist is a classically trained pianist, and it definitely shows. The Toronto producer’s output most often focuses on downtempo instrumentations that are perfect for a rainy day. His tracks could best be described as gloomy, but he adds just enough energy in pockets of these songs that you can’t help but get moving. He also loves having “U” in his tracks. Take a look at his Soundcloud and you’ll understand.
20. James Deen
Hailing from Vancouver, James Deen is nothing short of a badass producer. His heavily 8-Bit influenced tracks make you feel like your’e trapped within the confines of an old school video game, but that exact feeling is heavily euphoric in every way. He has already caught the attention of THUMP and released a stellar EP entitled Cashmere, and we’re patiently awaiting more music from Mr. Deen.
19. Deebs
The most recent artist to star in Secret Songs is Deebs, showing off a glitchy take on electronic production that is heavily influenced by R&B on many of his tracks. The burgeoning artist from Toronto released his aptly titled Songs4UByMe EP within the last few months, and his supreme attention to detail throughout will have you instantly pressing repeat.
18. Potatohead People
Made up of Vancouver and Montreal based producer AstroLogical and Nick Wisdom, this forward-thinking project pulls a strong influence from jazz, hip-hop, and smooth electronic beats. Both producers are equally impressive on their own, and its always a treat when we get a new track from Potatohead People. They work with rappers, produce instrumental beats, and are always experimenting with unique styles.
17. EKALI
Luscious production is EKALI’s speciality. The Vancouver musician often creates a sultry amalgam of string influenced soundscapes with hip-hop back beats, weaving together an addicting sound that will have you immediately drifting off. Other times though, we witness him going for it and just bringing the heavy like nobody’s business and keeping us on our toes.
16. Tommy Kruise
Based out of Montreal, Tommy Kurise has been tearing things up lately alongside producers like RL Grime. His more trap leaning beats will destroy any audience, but many are still laid back enough to bump while driving around. He’s also been known to work with some wild rappers, and we wouldn’t be more surprised if more vocalists were looking his way for instrumentals in the future.
15. Kryoss
If we had to describe the sound of Kyross in only two words, it would be “buttery beats.” They are also really epic, and bring together a choppy sound that still comes off as completely clean and put together. Then again, it seems like the young gun is doing something different on every single song, so trying to pin down or describe what he’s producing is a rotating cycle with each successive release.
14. WMNSTUDIES
Z SMith and SaveMeBoots makes up WMNSTUDIES, laying down a cohesive project that highlights a danceable, often garage influenced sound. They also love dabbling in different styles of house music, experimenting with influences all across the board throughout their recent catalogue. We have a feeling these two could get really big in 2015, and we can’t wait for more and more music.
13. Hunter Siegel
Formally of The Killabits, Toronto based producer Hunter Siegel has taken on an entirely different music path with his DarkPLUR movement and a style he often calls Retro Future. Siegel has been making some major moves this past year including a release on SIZE, production for Omar Linx, and a recent collaboration with Wax Motif, and shows no signs of slowing down.
12. Elaquent
Vibing hip-hop beats are the specialty of Elaquent, laying down tracks that fit perfectly with his name. He’s got that raw, Dilla influenced style, and has brought the world some major collaborations with artists like Esta, Budamunk, and Muneshine. He’s also got an unlimited supply of EP’s on Bandcamp, and will probably release another one before you get through them all. Start bumping now.
11. Da-P
Associated with Soulection and stemming from Montreal, Da-P is a wild man producer who known for unleashing 808-laden beats that sound ever so crispy. His remixes are all over the board though, and he’s known to pull influence from hip-hop, 8-Bit, trap, and more laid back feels. It’s impossible to keep up with his ever-changing style, and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that.
10. High Klassified
High Klasssified is known for bringing that heavy, but he still keeps it real with intricate and tight knit production. Focusing most often on hip-hop and trap based beats, this Montreal and Laval resident has become known for original releases on Fool’s Gold and production alongside A-Trak, Lex Luger, Da-P, and Metro Boomin. You can get wild to his music at a party, or even just bob your head to his knockin’ beats on your own.
9. Vanic
Another rising producer from Vancouver is Vanic, shining bright recently with some of the biggest remixes we heard in 2014. Taking on songs from Zella Day, CHVRCHES, Machineheart, and K.Fly, Vanic found a sound that people enjoyed and truly ran with it. His remixes feel like collaborations, more organic that most and we wouldn’t mind seeing him produce for these types of artists.
8. Memorecks
Memorecks is another Canadian producer who doesn’t discriminate against too many genres. We’ve seen him release dubstep influenced anthems, chilled out beat tapes, and smooth vocal collaborations. This has made his output even more exhilarating, proving that he is no one trick pony and dabbling in a manifold of unique styles. Oh, plus he taught Rob Ford how to make a beat, so there’s that.
7. XVII
Claiming Winnipeg as his residence, XVII is another diverse producer that has been repped heavily by labels like Soulection. He’s a remix master, but has also released a long list of original anthems that often seem influenced by the work of TNGHT. He is half of the group NSTY with LVX, and undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him. Watch out for this dude in 2015.
6. Ramzoid
Ramzoid is a beast when it comes to forward-thinking production. His neuro-glitch, often funk influenced sound will keep you guessing with unexpected break sections, and there’s really no pegging down what will happen next. Oh, and did we mention he’s only 16? Big remixes of artists like Sam Gellaitry, Geotheory, and Seekae have been bringing him more attention, and fans of Haywyre and Mr. Bill will love his rapidly growing collection.
5. OBESØN
Exploring a sound the pulls influence from hip-hop, ambient, R&B, and downtempo, OBESØN is all over the board. Regardless of what style he is pursuing on each individual tack, it’s clear that his overall output possesses a cohesive feel that flows well together. We started listening to him in the early stages of 2014, and there’s no denying that this Toronto producer is progressing quickly.
4. Pusher
Pusher is blowing up on the Internet right now, also claiming Toronto as his place of residence and throwing down a series of remixes and originals that have exploded. He seemingly appeared out of nowhere these past months, and has now become heavily associated with vibrant flips of songs from Jack Ü and Ryn Weaver, alongside big originals that have caught the attention of EDM.com.
3. Eekkoo
Montreal resident Eekkoo is killing the game right now. The rising producer released his Hell Is Other People EP on mau5trap, and is meticulously crafting a melodic sound that soars out of this world with Feed Me style productions. He’s also been releasing some major remixes for The Presets, Enzo Bennett, and even Mr. Mau5 himself, and all things are pointing to a major 2015 for Eekkoo.
2. Tennyson
Tennyson is a brother-sister duo from Edmonton, and were the first artists to release music via Secret Songs. They have already come a long ways since then, touring alongside Ryan Hemsworth and putting out music that dabbles with jazz, downtempo, and melodic elements. All things aside, their music is truly beautiful, and getting stuck on their Soundcloud for hours a day is something we often do.
1. Pomo
Pomo is a Montreal based artist that is keeping funk, soul, and straight grooves alive with his feel good music. He was killing it all year, but his recent EP on HW&W Recordings really took things to another level. Beyond Pomo, the rising producer is also one half of Nouvel Âge with Antony Carle, and is also a master when it comes to remixing and putting mixes together. The Pomo takeover is real.
Other Essential Lists: Australia/France/Netherlands
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