As 2022 ramps up, so do the new music releases. It’s never easy to keep up with what seems like an infinite amount of drops every month, so we’re making things easy. We’ve compiled our favourite Canadian tracks of March to help broaden your library. This month we heard OVO Sound rapper Smiley prove he’s more than just a meme rapper, Montreal MC Mike Shabb open up about his demons, and Toronto singer Savannah Ré re-establish herself as one of the most exciting new voices in Canadian R&B. From rugged raps to summery funk, here are the tunes we’ve been bumping the loudest.
Mike Shabb, "Blood Bath"
View this video on YouTube
Mike Shabb’s “Blood Bath,” a standout on his latest album Sewaside, is a warning to everyone. At only 23, the Montreal rapper has made a name for himself in the city, as well as some enemies that keep his paranoia high. Despite clocking in under three minutes, Shabb finds time to air out not only his grievances, but the darkness instilled in him after his father’s untimely passing.
Duvy f/ Vory, "Thugz Don’t Cry"
View this video on YouTube
On “Thugz Don’t Cry,” Toronto’s Duvy and Houston’s Vory go back and forth, somberly meditating on their concealed emotions. Duvy’s chorus sees the rapper living with no regrets as he croons about his love for life while Vory’s verse reflects on his distrust towards his enemies and the inevitability of death in the streets.
Savannah Ré, "Fiji"
View this video on YouTube
“Fiji,” the latest single from Toronto songstress Savannah Ré, is one best saved for a date night. Ré’s vocals exude a self-assured sexiness as she prepares to see her man, where she intends on flipping the script and taking the lead during their soirée. Singing over lush strings and quaint 808s, it could very well be the quintessential sneaky link anthem of the year so far.
Booggz, "Benny Made Me Do It Freestyle"
View this video on YouTube
Booggz’s “Benny Made Me Do It Freestyle” was supposed to whet our appetites while we waited for his latest mixtape Not For Sale. Instead of just being a preview, it encapsulates Booggz’s talent nearly perfectly. While the album is a showcase of the Toronto rapper’s ability to craft hits, no track features skillful rapping quite like the freestyle.
Luna Li, "What You’re Thinking"
View this video on YouTube
At the core of Luna Li’s standout “What You’re Thinking” is a track about the insecurities of love. The chorus is simple lyrically, but the repetition of Li wishing she knew what her love interest was thinking only adds to her uncertainty. Love is never as simple as we think and the Toronto multi-instrumentalist’s insecurities about how she’s perceived by this interest are very much indicative of dating in your 20s.
IDMAN, "Good Life"
View this video on YouTube
The struggles of leaving a toxic relationship can’t be understated. On “Good Life,” IDMAN reflects on her time with a bad partner, but tries to do so without reminiscing. She seems disinterested in her ex’s life but also has a hard time letting go. The act of leaving a messy situation is harder than anyone can possibly say, but IDMAN putting her thoughts into song shows the duality of letting go and looking back.
Kaytranada and Joyce Wrice, "Iced Tea"
View this video on YouTube
When Kaytranada drops, it’s always an event. Paired up with the excellent L.A. singer Joyce Wrice, “Iced Tea” sounds like the exact track you’d expect from the Montreal-born superproducer. It doesn’t stray too far from Kaytra’s formula, but it doesn’t need to. Wrice’s carefree vocals and braggadocious verses make this song an automatic lock for the soundtrack to the summer.
Busty and the Bass, "Merry Go Round"
View this video on YouTube
Busty and the Bass have been around for quite a while, with clear influences dating as far back as the ’70s and a hint of 1990s Outkast. On “Merry Go Round,” the Montreal-based funk band is as laid back as ever. STS’s opening verse echoes the cadence of Andre 3000, providing a charismatic and smooth flow over the band’s lustrous instrumental.
Smiley f/ 42 Dugg, "Grammy"
View this video on YouTube
We all heard Smiley’s hilarious Uproxx freestyle, but luckily that isn’t indicative of Smiley’s general output. “Grammy” is far less of a meme track than the freestyle, and is much more indicative of the OVO Sound rapper’s personality. Throw in a verse from the ever-consistent 42 Dugg and you get a track that bangs way more than you’d imagine.
Nate Husser f/ Merlyn, "Get Out"
View this video on YouTube
Nate Husser has never shied away from releasing some of the most left-field bangers you can think of. On “Get Out,” Husser is the more quaint one as he enlists the help of BROCKHAMPTON’s Merlyn Wood. While Husser’s verses are one of his most traditional performances, Wood steals the show with bombastic verse over Slick Sterling’s eerie beat.
