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Interview: Q&A

Toronto rapper Brick returns with new single “No Names”

Toronto rapper Brick returns with new single No Names

Toronto’s Brick returns just in time for the summer with his new energetic single, “No Names.”

Produced by Rosko and Hudson Alexander, the track gives you an in your face, aggressive production that allows Brick to tap into an inverse perspective of when your friends and acquaintances turn to foes.

The 8-bit-leaning beat is armed with a blaring 808s and distorted bassline that compliments Brick’s incredible flow.

I had a chance to sit down with Brick himself to speak about his come-up, the new single and what’s next for the new-comer.

Check out the single and Q&A below. You can find “No Names” on various streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.


Q&A: Brick

HipHopCanada: Now before we get into the new single, I must ask, for those who might not be familiar with you or your music, where did it all start for you?

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Brick: Um, I’ve been making music since I was like 4, as far as like drums, just doing a lot of percussion work, when I was young and shit. I thought band would be a good idea first year of high school but realized quickly that shit was garbage, they wanted me to play clarinet. Fuck a clarinet. That was around the same time I decided I didn’t want to play other people’s music. I wanted to play mine. I started writing music about 4 years ago based revolving around some negative shit, just trying to make myself take something positive from it and I kind of just woke up one day and was like, “man I think I really love this shit”.

HipHopCanada: I had the chance to listen to your previous single “Get Like”, which had a stand out sound to me, how is “No Names” going to differ from “Get Like”?

Brick: I appreciate that. The biggest difference is my confidence I would say. “Get it Like” was the start of a rebrand and the end of a hiatus for me. It was also the ending of a time where I was very uncomfortable with my life situation to keep it a hundred. I think it will become evident to listeners with every listen that I’m very comfortable and confident with who I am now. I’m loud and in your face with shit, sometimes awkward, that’s just who I am but I feel like I’ve figured out how to use it as a tool, rather than something I used to suppress. I’m a goof but I’ve learned to embrace it. I am also very white, and I know the stereotypes that come with it. Having more of my personality come through my work will separate me from that boombap and lack of innovation wave that comes to mind I will never ever wear a zephyr snapback or high-top Osiris’ and that’s a promise to my fans.

HipHopCanada: What is your approach to writing songs and what was the thought process while you were recording “No Names”?

Brick: It’s always changing honestly. I wish I could say I had a set routine but my shit’s all over the place. There isn’t any rhyme or reason to how I write but I write a lot. Everyday. Anything can inspire you if you’re susceptible to your surroundings, so I normally go through my day jotting bars down then completing the concepts I think are strongest. “No Names” specifically came to fruition because of my dude Rosko. He was working at Atlantic Records in LA at the time and had heard Get It Like and sent over that beat. I remember I was so angry that day over some miniscule shit and I played that beat and it just matched my energy at the time. I was supposed meet my mother for lunch and I cancelled on her because I needed to make a song with what I was feeling. She was cheesed. We rescheduled for another day when the song was finished, and I was less angry.

HipHopCanada: What has the process been like for you and your team while building a new sound and wave here in Canada?

Brick: Troublesome, I’d say at first because everyone in my camp is just as passionate as I am, we butt heads, sometimes full out heated arguments, but I think that leads to a better product in the long run. I don’t think it should come easy if it’s truly going to be something special. Special isn’t easy. Now that we’re all on the same wavelength shit is in sync now and things move much more smoothly. I’m confident in how I’ve revamped my sound and I’m just as confident in the people surrounding me helping me make these ideas in my head come to life.

HipHopCanada: What can the Canadian hip-hop audience expect from Brick?

Brick: First and foremost, I would say honesty. I’ve been working a lot with Francesco Yates in making that a core value in the new music. We got hella songs we’re working on, he’s so fucking smart man it’s scary sometimes…Most times. I’ve gotten to a place within myself I can dig deep and talk about things I used to hide or ignore. I think I need that out of myself and I think people listening also need that from me. Everybody can relate to ups and downs. Definitely a lot of new fresh music to be expected. Also, I act now, I don’t really know how that shit happened but catch me in Polar starring Mads Mikkelsen and Vanessa Hudgens on Netflix in January 2019. I die. In the movie I mean.

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You can follow @igobyBRICKnow on Instagram.

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