96

Toronto artist blog

96 has been on my radar for a while; in late July of this year, I featured his single "25 to life" as the music of the week. I've been listening to him since then, and I've been learning more about 96 and his catalog. 96 has a distinct tone, and his voice has remained steady since his debut hit, "Lnit," in 2017. His sound is predominantly R&B, with hip-hop and more lyrical rap influences. "Stay" has an R&B feel to it, although tunes like "BEEN THRU A LOT" are more hip-hop in nature. But one thing that runs across all of his music is the unusual sounds and instrumentals that push the boundaries of traditional R&B and hip-hop guidelines. Anyone who develops new sounds that don't fit in the traditional sense is someone to keep an eye on; they are industry pioneers and potential game-changers. 96 uses some pretty unique approaches to his vocals, instrumental choices, and sample selections to create something that hasn't been done before. "down" is an excellent example of creative music with a distinct sample and flow. He has instances where he deviates from the beat and reintroduces it with style and newness. Seeing this level of talent is always inspiring, and one of my aims is to bring all of these creative artists together in one place. Artists like 96 carve out their own paths and pave new paths where none previously existed. That is exactly what DMTV is all about.

96's career is jam-packed with hits like "STAY," "Gangsta Party," and "25 To Life." These are a few of my favorites, as well as some of the most powerful in his collection. These are some of his more recent releases, as well as some of his more mainstream-sounding material. "GOIN96HOST" and "GOIN96HOST 2" are two projects in 96's discography. Both projects include a total of nine tracks with a diverse range of sounds. These are the projects when he really lets loose and tries new things. On tracks like "comedowns," "time," and "wifey," he combines new concepts and flows with strange samples and instrumentals to create something completely unique. 96 is a gifted artist with a lot of potential for breaking new ground in the city. He has a bright future ahead of him, and his music will continue to evolve until he finds the proper sound that connects with the people, at which point he will soar to new heights. I'm excited to see what 96 has in store for us next.

Written by Maxim Bayarsky