By David DeRocco

After spending the better part of 2016 immersed in “darkness,” rapper and entrepreneur Madchild is finally ready for his new project to see the light.

The Darkest Hour is the upcoming solo release from Madchild, who burst onto Canada’s late-90s hip-hop scene as one-third of the multi-platinum-selling group Swollen Members.  And with the new project nearing completion, the notorious road-warrior has announced a string of tour dates in support of the album’s anticipated March 10th release.  

“It’s done, it’s finished, it’s mastered,” beamed Madchild, who recorded the album over a span of 10 months with American MC/producer Michael Taylor Perretta (a.k.a. Evidence). “It’s a different experience than previous albums because it was recorded at Evidence’s studio. Every time we went over we would get a song done in a day or two, but it was scattered. Evidence is busy, I’m busy. It was a very non-stressful recording process. We’d get together and knock out a few bangers, then come back another time. We worked around both our schedules.”

Despite the lack of deadlines imposed on the recording sessions for The Darkest Hour, Madchild – who performs at the Four Triple Five club on Queen Street in the Falls February 1^st – says there was still some self-imposed pressure involved in delivering the dozen new tracks.

“I do enjoy working under pressure, but I still got that same feeling of satisfaction because I felt I had the pressure of stepping up to the plate and delivering. Evidence is my friend but he’s also one of my favourite rappers and producers. He went above and beyond by getting great features on the album and bringing some really great beats in. So I was challenged to bring my A-game every time. It was good pressure.”

The 12 songs on The Darkest Hour reflect a more mature and reflective side of this hip hop hellraiser, whose 2012 solo debut Dope Sick earned the Juno award for “Rap Recording of the Year.”  Songs like “Imaginary Tears,” “Body Bag,” “Green Light (feat. Evidence)” and “Write It Down” are laced with lyrical references to the tumultuous times he endured throughout 2016.

“Last year was a tough year for me. The three years before that were an amazing ride, but last year was a difficult ride. I disappointed myself with a couple things. I don’t speak on those topics but you can feel the reflections of that time on the album. There’s moments of vulnerability and real honesty around the darkness on it. Then there’s some tracks where it’s just all about beasting out, pushing myself with word combinations.”

Before fans start thinking that a “mature” album is a sign of a hip hop artist approaching the twilight of his career, Madchild is quick to brush off the suggestion.

“It’s the first album I’ve done as a solo artist that was completely produced by one producer. There’s a consistency to it. If you like one song you’re going to like them all. If you love one song you’re going to love them all. The next album I put out – and I’ve already got a lot of the assets for it – may be all over the place, more dynamic, more youthful. But this being a more mature album has nothing to do with age, it has to do with experience and wanting to approach the beats in a certain way.”

Madchild’s approach has always been about pushing the boundaries of Canadian hip hop as far as they can go, and The Darkest Hour adds another cannon to his award-winning arsenal of underground hip-hop.  Now, 18 years into his career, he sees no reason why he can’t continue making music regardless of how relevant he is to radio or the fickle tastes of the music industry.

“I don’t make music for the radio. It’s not like I do it on purpose, I just think what’s a single these days? I just make art. You never know, the next three albums I might make something that connects with radio again. That’s the amazing thing about this lifestyle. You  never really know how far you’re going to go. Hip hop is happening for the first time, we’re seeing artists that are 10, 15, 20 years older than me still killing it. I’m 15 years older than new kids coming up. As long as you’re killing it, know what I’m saying, and improving, I don’t think age is a factor. Making music keeps you young.”

As for the show in Niagara Falls, Madchild says he’s looking forward to introducing fans to The Darkest Hour and doing what he loves to do most – perform live.  

“It’s going to be raw energy, fun. We’re gonna have a great time. I brought my DJ, we’ve got a great opener. I come out and give it my all. It’s really an electric energy that happens. Very hopeful and confident that Niagara Falls will be one of those nights. It gets wild, it’s positive and fun. Should be a great fucking night!” 

SHOW:    MADCHILD

DATE:       Feb 1, 2017

LOCATION:  Four Triple Five Club, Queen Street, Niagara Falls