TLDR: “LET EM OUT” is the explosive new single and video from Toronto legend Kardinal Offishall, previewing his long-awaited new EP while showcasing raw lyricism and Toronto-rooted authenticity.
Multi-platinum artist Kardinal Offishall releases the debut single “LET EM OUT” from his long awaited and highly anticipated EP, Everyday, Sometimes.
Widely known as one of Canada’s most iconic award-winning hip hop exports, Kardinal Offishall has long been a torchbearer for musical and cultural authenticity, seamlessly blending hip-hop, Jamaican reggae, and dancehall influences with a unique homegrown Toronto grit and sound, resulting in a voice and sound that’s unmistakably his own.
Self-produced and written entirely by himself, “LET EM OUT” showcases Kardinal releasing a timely, fiery new single that acts as a prelude to a forthcoming collection of some of his best work to date. The new single was released with a music video powered by director Marcus Letts.
“This isn’t just about making noise to cut through—it’s about making truth,” says Kardinal, who also works as a Global A&R Executive at Def Jam Records, helping to shape the sound and direction of today’s music.
“I’ve spent years creating sounds that move me, that disrupt the system, that remind me why I fell in love with hip-hop in the first place. It’s the raw, unfiltered kind—the kind that doesn’t beg for approval from anybody. Lately, I’ve been surrounded by a powerful mix of new artists who feel deeply and create fearlessly, and many icons who continue to uphold a certain standard…that energy was the perfect storm for me. ‘LET EM OUT’ wasn’t just a song—it was a release. A way to say: this is who I am now. No compromises. Just music that makes you feel alive!”
“LET EM OUT” by Kardinal Offishall
About Kardinal Offishall
With a career spanning over two decades, from early underground classics like “Ol’ Time Killin’” all the way to hit singles like “Dangerous” featuring Akon – that made him the first Canadian rapper in history to land in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart – Kardinal’s laundry list of notable collaborations with superstars including Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, Daniel Caesar, Ludacris, and exclusive music being featured on a Dave Chappelle Netflix comedy special, has placed his catalogue in the upper echelon of urban music performers of today.
Kardinal’s first official release since 2019, “LET EM OUT” fuses heavyweight rhythms with an urgent message. Sonically, it lands where Timbaland meets Burna Boy meets Busta Rhymes meets Bounty Killer — a propulsive blend of Hip-Hop, Dancehall, and UK grime influences that feels global yet grounded. Thematically, “LET EM OUT” is about birth and rebirth, street wisdom, and cultural pride. It’s a motivational anthem for those who’ve faced struggle and come out stronger — a soundtrack for staying true, rejecting corruption, and claiming success without forgetting where you come from.
This release comes after years of achievements for Kardinal that include an honorary Doctorate from York University, hosting Canada’s Got Talent alongside stars like Howie Mandel and Shania Twain, and a UWI Luminary award, to name a few. A true multi-hyphenate — artist, producer, executive, and cultural architect — he’s been a voice for the streets, a leader in boardrooms, and a relentless champion for artists and communities alike. From top to bottom, it’s a deeply personal, proudly independent work that reasserts Kardi’s role not just as a hitmaker — but as a visionary. And this track serves as a prelude to a big summer coming from one of Toronto’s most notable musical sons.
