Toronto’s own Rich Kidd has been Canada’s best-kept secret since his ascension from local underground stardom to national fame in the past couple of years. The architect of a new sound coming from T Dot, Rich has been steadily amassing praise from industry greats and music critics for his 360-degree musical vision: as an inspirational artist, world-class producer, and captivating performer.
Ever since his fist production credit as a 19-year old on Frank and Dank’s “Get Right Song”, he’s amassed a commanding body of work. The compilation series We On Some Rich Kidd Shit Vol. 1-6, an annual event in the local music scene that is entirely orchestrated under his creative vision, has featured nearly 100 artists and proven to be a showcase for some of the best talent coming from his hometown. As his name became synonymous with quality, it didn’t take long for him to get in the studio with the country’s best from Drake to Kardinal Offishall, K-os, Shad, and Saukrates, adding underground classics, commercial hits and award-winning projects to his resume. Letting the music speak for itself, Rich Kidd’s name and signature sound traveled the globe with his beat tape Kiddstrumentals and with collaborative work under his belt with rap greats like Busta Rhymes, Redman, Raekwon, DMX, and Talib Kweli, each time bringing him closer into the radar of rap royalty.
Whether it comes from joy or pain, sampled-based or entirely original, the constant with Rich Kidd’s sound is the attention to bass, giving a certain feel to his music that takes the listener on an emotional ride. Lyrically, his depth of vision and perspective mirrors the production style. A comedian and a realistic, he writes music that is above all human. From a humble upbringing in the Ridgeway housing projects to international tours in the UK and Australia, the highs and lows along the way are often heard in his songwriting. Coupled with a magnetic personality on stage that earns him new fans at every show, the certainty of Rich Kidd’s path to stardom becomes clearer with each project. With his most recent album The Closers with Son Real, upcoming solo mixtape In My Opinion,  Kiddstrumentals Vol. 2 on the way and a debut album to follow, there seems to be no limit to what the Kidd can do.