Who is ApolloNightLA Artist of the Week Staalin?
Hailing from Toronto, ApolloNightLA (@apollonightla) Artist of the Week Staalin (@staalinbmj) has moved through the underground steadily gaining attention as one of the most underrated emcees from his region. Let’s meet him!
“From the outside looking in, who is Staalin?”
“I’m the best rapper period. Every artist should feel that way about their craft. I’ve been called many things; “Beast” is my favourite. You’ll always get bars from me, no matter what style of song it is. Hard Boom Bap, new school, party music, love songs, introspective music, you name it. The flow, bars and passion will always be there. I just let the beat move me, then I try to murder it.”
“What brought you to the entertainment industry, music specifically?”
“I’ve been writing songs since I was 12 years old. Rap songs mostly. I just tried to express myself, to myself; while trying to figure out who I was and wanted to be. I was watching Rap City (the Canadian version) and they were showing a video by Black Moon called “Who Got the Props”. When I heard that track, I began to do more serious raps and ultimately wanted to become a rapper. About six or seven years ago I started to build a buzz and fan base, but life and some legal problems had me take a back seat from the rapping. Only in the last three years have I taken more serious strides to make my mark in the Rap music industry.”
“Who are your biggest musical influences and who in the Rap industry are you most compared to?”
I’m influenced and driven by lyricists. Ras Kass is one of if not my favourite artists because of the way he puts his words and metaphors together. His delivery is unorthodox at times which keeps it fresh and he has meaningful bars. Camp Lo, Common, Boot Camp Click all played a part in shaping who I am as a rapper. As far as comparisons go, the dudes I get likened to the most are Jadakiss because of the distinctness of my voice and delivery and Royce da 5’9. Damien Dante Wayans, who was a special guest judge on Apollo Night L.A said that I reminded him of Jay Electronica after hearing “F.R.W.L”. The fact that people are even considering putting me in the same sentences with any of those artists is an honour and blessing.
“Tell us about your current project and your ApolloNightLA “Artist of the Week” winning single “F.R.W.L”
“F.R.W.L stands for “From Russia With Love”, and it’s the first single of of my upcoming EP – F.R.W.L 2. It’s a play off of my music persona Staalin. Being from Canada where it is from an outsiders perspective always cold, I thought I would play off of that image by stating that my music, flow and lyrics are too cold even by Canadian standards so I went to the next coldest place I could think of, that being Russia. There a lot of talented artists from Canada (more specifically Toronto), but I feel that my level artistry is beyond that. Colder than that. This joint embodies that feeling. The beat, which was produced by Rushmore Muzic, is a certified banger! It’s been described as having that golden era feel, with lyrics that are witty but raw at the same time. It’s truth uncut. F.R.W.L is one of those neck breaking, car system rattling songs that I hope gives people who appreciate the art of making music hope. It’s different. It is a re-proclamation of my abilities and my willingness to go through any individual in the way of my success.”
“For new listeners, what song of yours would you pick as an introduction to you?”
“I guess the song that has made the biggest impact for my career to date would have to be “Grand Entrance” off my second album “IK3: Man of Steel”. That was produced by DVient who I’ve worked with many times previously. The track has been mired in controversy because in the opening line of the song I say “F**k Drake, and anybody who sounds like him….”. Being from Toronto myself, you would think that most rap music listeners would be out for my head because I mentioned his name in what many people believe to be a diss track towards him. In reality, it has been my most requested song to this point (until F.R.W.L is out the bag that is). However to set the record straight…. again, and as Apollo Night LA host Screwface Radio explained, the song is going against the notion that you have to sound like a Drake to be successful and that there is more to the Toronto sound than what is being fed to the people. The message is simple. Find yourself as an artist. Don’t hop on the hot new trend because people are blindly following it. Be original, but say something meaningful. That’s what I attempt to do each time I write. So far so good. It’s definitely one of my favourite videos.”
“Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment…”
“I performed at an event that wasn’t very big, but it was for charity. It was at a bar that wasn’t really designed for live Rap music performances and the stages was very compact. Myself and my show partner Loots were in the middle of my set, when the table that had been holding the DJ’s equipment collapsed behind us. An apparently drunken DJ started wildin’ out on my boy accusing him of making the table fall. Now while this is going on, the music for the set is still playing from the laptop on the floor. Rather than stop, I kept going without missing a beat. Without it even phasing me. When I was finished my set, a number of people came up to me to commend me for staying cool and not being distracted by the accident. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me to be so locked in and focused musically, was a very proud moment.
Get Social
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/staalin.bmj
Twitter – https://twitter.com/staalinbmj
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/therealstaalin/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/StaalinVEVO
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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