Brampton artist Van Hill recently released his latest single “Rollin” (produced by GHD and shivvy B) as a follow up to his Sad Day at Wonderland EP.
Taking a completely different approach from the EP, Van delivers a hungry slapper anthem that marks a switch in his emotional state. He dropped Sad Day at Wonderland to get the sad and depressive feels out of his system. Now he’s got that cleared out and he is ready to roll.
There’s an undertone of urgency in this record. And as Van explained it, sometimes it feels like time is moving way too fast. So the only solution to dealing with life as it comes as you is to pick up the pace and get “Rollin.” Check the record, and scope our Q&A with Van below.
Q&A: Van Hill
HipHopCanada: Start off by telling me what this song means to you on a personal level.
Van Hill: Personally I feel like time is moving fast, and at times too fast; so fast that sometimes I feel like I did the things that I’ve already done… like dejavu. Yo like I be having deja vu going to the grocery store fam. For real. That’s why I feel the way I feel; gotta move fast and efficiently to get to where I’m going. Thank you Mom.
HipHopCanada: Artistically, I think you’re actually one of the most emotionally-driven rappers in Canada right now. This song has a much different vibe from Sad Day at Wonderland. That EP was rooted in a lot darker, and more sad feelings. This song is on much more of a hungry, get-what’s-yours kind of tip.
Van Hill: I believe everybody is emotional. Some just hide it better than others. But I do believe everybody feels something, anything, everything. Sad Day at Wonderland (SDAW) was just a phase in my life that I needed to get over. That’s why I made it the way I did and put it out the way I did. Thank you Chris Rose. Now I’m hungry. Starving, really.
HipHopCanada: Talk to me about what’s gone on with you over the last few months that’s prompted this change in your music. I feel like maybe your life is climbing back up to its higher points.
Van Hill: I make things off the energy that’s provided, and I feel really good about the things that are taking place. I’ve embraced being on the negative side of things for so long that everything’s a positive now. Bitches love optimism.
HipHopCanada: How did the collaboration with GHD and shivvy B come about?
Van Hill: GHD is one of my favourite producers, man. He’s talented, so is shivvy B, man. We got a lot of music coming. Shout out Joey Vongsa for making the connection… gym class days 2011 shit, ya dig? Also look out for Q6, Edeez, Chris Rose, dF, [and] Wldface. We got some stuff coming for real.
HipHopCanada: Tell me about what it looks like for you to be “Rollin”. What does peak Van Hill look like?
Van Hill: I’m picking up the pace. Time will tell, and if I die before my time I pray my shit is timeless. Thank you.
Interview conducted by Sarah Jay for HipHopCanada
