iLLvibe: Let's Get Rich
Once named Canada's smartest person, the Toronto rapper displays his chops on the lead single from an imminent third album. The track skilfully weaves his fluent rhymes with the featured vocal of Jenna Nation.
By Kerry Doole
iLLvibe - Let's Get Rich" (Heavy Aux/Fontana North): In 2016, this Toronto-born hip-hop artist was named runner-up to Drake for Readers’ Choice Best Rapper by NOW Magazine, and he is tipped by many as another potential breakout star from the Six. He also made a splash by winning the first season of CBC’s hit television series Canada’s Smartest Person.
His new album, Antigravity (his third), comes out on April 20, preceded this week by this bangin' lead single. As the title indicates, it fits in with the omnipresent hip-hop theme of wealth accumulation.
The track makes skilful use of the interplay between Jenna Nation's featured vocal and iLLvibe's flowing rhymes. On the oft-repeated chorus, Jenna boldly declares "let's make lots of money, let's pile it all up, they can take nothing from you, why I don't give a fuck." The production work of Myer Clarity is imaginative, and it'd be no surprise if the cut makes plenty of moolah.
Antigravity will include features from Canadian rap hero Saukrates, Leanne Louise, Saturdae Jonez and Meghan Norah. The album launches at the Smiling Buddha in Toronto on April 20, with other dates TBA.
Stephen Macklam (left) and Sam Feldman.Courtesy Photos