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FYI

SonReal: Have A Nice Day

The Vancouver-based hip-hop star generates major streaming and viewing numbers. Expect more with this catchy new cut that features his signature witty rhymes plus reggae-inflected vocals and a surreal video.

SonReal: Have A Nice Day

By Kerry Doole

SonReal - "Have A Nice Day" (Black Box Recordings/UMG): The Vancouver hip-hop artist known as SonReal (real name Aaron Hoffman) has been nominated for multiple Juno and MMVA Awards and has racked up Spotify and YouTube streams and views in the millions ("Can I Get A Witness" has 9.5M YT views). Expect those numbers to rise rapidly with the release of a video for this new cut, produced by Trevor Muzzy.


SonReal's signature is the free-flowing delivery of lines more witty and imaginative than most, and that skill is to the fore here. He rhymes "John Grisham," and "narcissism," with other names dropped including Walt Whitman and Tony Romo, while the positive vibe projected is welcome in these dark days.

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His raps are interspersed with easy on the ear reggae-tinged vocalizing, helping make the track a definite commercial contender. Further aiding the cause is a twisted but fun surreal video, directed by Peter Huang, in which SonReal's face is photoshopped onto the bodies of other people and dogs. 

Upcoming shows include the Safe & Sound Music Festival in New Westminster (Aug. 25) and at The Iceberg Alley Performance Tent, Mont-Saint-Pierre (Sept. 19).

 

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Dallas Smith
Courtesy Photo

Dallas Smith

FYI

Music News Digest: Hamilton's Festival of Friends Turns 50 with Feist, Dallas Smith and an All-Star Canadian Last Waltz Concert

Also this week: an unorthodox patriotic EP series from We Are Busy Bodies, celebrating the legacy of Sonny Rollins, nominations open for MMF Canada Board of Directors and more.

This weekend, the Festival of Friends in Hamilton turns 50.

The free summer music fest has earned iconic status locally, booking major international and Canadian stars as well as promoting Hamilton-based artists. Running July 31 to Aug. 2, this milestone anniversary edition features one of the events most formidable lineups. Headlining the first two nights are, respectively platinum-selling artists Dallas Smith and Feist, while Sunday's mainstage lineup features a long list of Canadian stars in a performance hosted and curated by roots-rock supertrio Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (featuring local legend Tom Wilson).

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