PHOTOS BY: SHAHANAH SHIVJI & DEVON K.
As an avid brand and platform that wants to represent authentic quality, within Vancouver, DM always has to be on the lookout for the right individuals in this city, that earned and deserve a limelight.
When it comes to the category of "Hip Hop", in this current generation, its a very mixed up term, that gets thrown out a lot, A LOT, in mainstream media, for songs that are simply NOT true to the foundation of where Hip Hop was and is going. It's hard to categorize a lot of artists in todays age, as people are starting to multiply their sound, examples include, combining singing and rapping together or creating a hybrid category, such as Swavey. With that, comes influence for the up and coming chapter of creatives, who are so inclined as well as determined, to pursue music in any way, shape or form.
Influence is heavily important, when discovering new faces, hearing new sound, or even beginning to hear an evolution of an artist. With all those influential characteristics and criteria listed, Dimemond has definitely been fortunate enough to share a name and project that embodies someone who has patiently built a catalogue for themselves (and still is), but also does not forget what Hip Hop means; the bars, the storytelling, the sound, the flow of verse to chorus... the literal foundation.
LOWKITA - RUDE
LowKita x Mr Floetic - RUDE
What's RUDE?
Rude simply represents LowKita's background, in a word. As a reflection of being a mix of both Jamaican and Bajan heritage, being surrounded by her family and culture, being called 'Rude Gal' is something that is incredible natural to her.
After initially listening to the project, Dimemond definitely understood the connect between the name of the project and who LowKita was. She's keeping it A1 and simple, stating who she is, where she comes from, where her mark is lyrically and sound, as well as the tone. The branding couldn't be more spot on. She just kept it real.
LowKita, 2017.
RUDE x MR.FLOETIC
As this is a great project which LowKita describes as a sound collaboration to make people remember how much she is musically inclined to dominate the city, as both an MC and a creative, female individual, it was also a great collobration with another great individual within the 604.
Mr.Floetic is definitely a name you will see and have seen pop within the last 2 years in particular, very intensely. He co-runs, alongside his DJ brothers within the Dynasty Boys collective, he is the co-founder and team member of the Emotions Open Mic Experience within Vancouver, and just last month in December, he had his 7th annual celebration and charitable event, The Party That Saved Christmas.
He is simply a taste maker within Vancity, and has many more plans to change up the city culturally, and bring in more opportunity for this city to constantly be moving in waves of recognition that it should be known for!
Mr.Floetic has been hitting his music element hard as well, and has dove deeper into the production game and one great example of a project, is his collaboration with LowKita for the RUDE EP project. It could not be anymore clearer, that Floetic is delivering a new wave of sound for the artists he wants to work with and has worked with, but also he knows what sound will not only challenge vocal capability, but also developing their identity through production as well.
LowKita does admit when she first met Floetic, it was during a moment at a club when Floetic was spinning.
“3 years ago, we were in Shine on a Saturday and Floetic dropped my track in the main room. it was a super mellow track, and it was at the moment in the night, when the club was closing. it was a dope moment. someone actually listened to the music i put out.”
One thing LowKita definitely learned and really appreciated about this project, is the amount of support and chance Floetic has in her.
We have met our fair share of artists thus far, and having conversations with them, when they see the real support within their own city, is a priceless element. You cannot, with any means, buy genuine appreciation and support for your craft!
“you have to give producers, a lot of credit.”
1. TING
Ting is simply a track that helped evolve LowKita's music catalogue, as she fearlessly admits it was a new sound, that exceeded her comfort zone. It was an automatic reaction to a mix of a new experience which did exceed a certain criteria she never explored but also, a new aesthetic of sound, as the beat is very particular.
Mr. Floetic x Emotions Open Mic, 2016.
However, despite the initial creative block she acquired from the first listening session of the beat, LowKita overcame the obstacle she briefly experienced, and delivered a hybrid of her capabilities and unique rhyming; she delivers flow with providing bars, and singing the chorus. She describes this track in particular as a mood setter, as "it's a track you get ready to before going out".
LowKita, Emotions Open MIc, 2016.
2. BUMP (feat. East)
Bump is easily LowKita's favorite jam off RUDE. It is a track that represents all positivity that LowKita feels about her art and craft of music.
LowKita, 2017.
LowKita describes Bump both a new beginning and a her mark of her presence in the music community within Vancity. Originally a Calgary-native, moving to Vancouver, she quickly felt how different she was from others, and admits the "way she raps feels different". But in Dimemond's eyes, thats the very reason why LowKita stands out from the rest of the artists that co-exist in the city. She understands the culture of Hip Hop, creating bars, storytelling and flow upon a beat. LowKita also shared her point of view of what Hip Hop is, in Vancouver. There is definitely a lack of appreciation for really great Hip Hop connoisseurs such as LowKita and sometimes Vancouver, like any other somewhat media-driven city, can appreciate the wrong things.
The track also has some great bar-assistance from a long time friend of LowKita, East. East is an artist based in the US, but they have collaborated on a track before, when LowKita resonated in Montreal in 2010 and began to explore music, while meeting and networking with artists.
So what better way for LowKita, to re-introduce herself and presence in this city, than bodying a track, that is almost embodied in her organically and naturally? Let LowKita explain that when you listen to Bump!
LowKita, Emotions Open Mic, 2016.
3. VIBES
Vibes is a track which LowKita didn't want to spoil too much about, as it is a particular track she is currently building a visual for. However she did relay to DM that it is her track, for laying back with the homies and reflecting.
LowKita, 2017.
Vibe Smoke & Lay Back.
LowKita, Emotions Open Mic, 2016.
As we wait to hear more from LowKita, we know we will always receive quality from her lyrical stand point, as well as delivery. This project shows her progression, as well as her expansion in tone, singing while amid rapping in various forms within various sound. She is definitely one of a kind, and resonates a hint of Left Eye, MC Lyte and Lauryn Hill, all of which hold a very high pedestal in the Hip Hop genre.
She is definitely coming for that Hip Hop throne in this city, and we can't blame her; she has bars!
Make sure to keep up with LowKita on social media:
LowKita on SoundCloud
LowKita on Facebook
LowKita on Instagram
LowKita on Twitter