New EP from Rayhan

Toronto-based Rayhan is a rapper with a background in skateboarding, theatre and comedy, whose artistic creative flows across multiple artistic lanes. Before he was recording tracks, Rayhan was sharpening his presence on stage and screen, performing sketch comedy throughout Ontario and landing roles in film and TV. Now, he’s channeling that versatility into a music career that’s gaining momentum at exponential rates.

Last year marked a breakthrough with HIGH NOON, a six-track debut EP penned in just three weeks that introduced Rayhan’s knack for lyrical flair and genre-blurring production. Earlier this year, he followed it with uLove: Rayhan’s Version, a full-length debut that was both emotionally impactful and sonically adventurous. The project turned heads with its wide scope and fearless execution, placing Rayhan firmly on the radar as one of the most exciting new voices in Canada’s indie rap underground.

Now Rayhan now returns with Warming Up: Rogue Freestyles, a transitional EP that acts as both a standalone creative statement and a primer for what’s to come next. As the second chapter in his Untitled Trilogy, with his forthcoming record uDOPE, looming on the horizon, this EP opens a window into the creative work that’s fuelling it.

Described by the artist as “the calm before the storm,” across six tracks, Rayhan lets the edges fray, choosing spontaneity over sheen, expression over perfection. The EP draws from trap, punk rock and boom bap stylings, cut with sampling and live drums to give it an analogue feel. It’s music that feels alive; improvised but well formed, full of the kind of energy that comes from an artist on the cusp of something bigger.

Kicked off with “Gaffer Freestyle,” spacey synth textures and rattling beats form an uptempo hip hop scene as Rayhan’s expressive rapped flows rolls above, resulting in an energising jam that puts his performance talents and lyrical flair on full display. “MISSION ON MY ONES” casts a hazy soundscape of gritty guitar textures and the crunch of crashing drums as Rayhan threads emotive melodic stretches above, crafting a moody R&B-inflected sound that’s highly original and gripping from start to finish.

Tracks like “Never Miss Freestyle” deliver a dark trap energy capped by bouncy rapped vocals to present an engrossing listening experience. With “Hellion Freestyle,” airy female vocalisations and elegant flickers of piano glide through an atmospheric sonic fabric, with the vocal samples stuttering as the strike of drums and Rayhan’s commanding rapped leads enter to forge an immersive, smokey sound.

“530” sees Rayhan link up with Ke-Lo to create a downtempo hip hop jam where pitched vocals and compelling leads float over a backdrop of marching beats and fluttering runs of twinkling piano runs, offering a spectacular collaboration that’s equally memorable and fiercely unique. Closing the EP with “Coldest Breathing/Love U Still,” Rayhan leans into an old school vibe with the hop of drums propelling vintage-tinged instrumentation as his smooth vocals flow above to deliver a stunning finale to his superb new EP. You can find out more and support Rayhan here.

Listen to Warming Up: Rogue Freestyles below