In a recent interview with HipHopCanada, acclaimed Canadian rapper Sayzee opened up about his latest collaborative EP with JUNO Award-winning Toronto artist Tona, titled Sun Is Out.
Discussing the inception of Sun Is Out and his relationship with Tona, Sayzee shared, “To be honest I don’t remember how we met, but I just remember the energy always being dope. We had features on a few joints together in the past, and we figured we might as well do a record together, cross-pollinate the fan bases and all that.”
This organic approach laid the groundwork for a project that didn’t take a long to come into existence, which is a testament to both of their high-end work ethics. When it came to laying down tracks for the EP, the process was anything but protracted.
“He had sent me a few records with open verses at first, then I banged out a few half records and sent them over to him. It was less than a 10-day process,” Sayzee explains.
Tona’s trip to Sayzee’s home studio would became a full-blown production sprint. “He rolled down to my house, we recorded everything, and boom, the ‘Sun Is Out.”
“If man wanna came together to watch an eclipse, come outside for this,” said Tona on Instagram just prior to the EP’s release.
Adding, “Shit is harder than Australian math,” and “whipped up on some straight Hiphop shit, no filler,” in other posts.
Asked to choose a favourite song off the project, Sayzee indicated he was particularly proud of “Jordan Belfort,” praising the production value. “Gonek murdered that beat. It’s short and sweet.” The track is certainly a standout for its intense energy and catchy rhythms, encapsulating the overall vibe of the EP.
Learning from Each Other
Collaborating with artists like Tona—or Richie Sosa, who he dropped the Big Sproxx-produced No Mercy EP with in 2021—isn’t just about blending styles and tapping into new fanbases for Sayzee—it’s about growth.
“I’ve been really lucky where everyone I have collaborated with has been a super legend and had history in the Canadian music scene,” he says.
These experiences are educational as much as they are inspirational, allowing Sayzee to “pick up some of their good habits.”
Along with Gonek, Sun Is Out boasts contributions from a host of talented producers including Skindeep, Sonny Carson, Tone Mason, Chippewa Sioux, Mally Abstract, Pangea, and DJ Nana. “All those guys are crazy so the project really was solid from a beat standpoint, all we had to do was bar out,” Sayzee added, emphasizing the high caliber of production that supports their lyrical creativity.
Reflections on AI in Music
In the wake of the release of Drake’s AI-powered “Taylor Made” diss track, the YFRWN rapper also weighed in on the emerging role of AI in music, responding to recent innovations like AI-generated tracks. “Ya, that stuff is weird. On one hand, it’s cool and amazing that machines can do that shit. On the other hand, it’s kinda corny to be guessing if diss records are authentic or not,” Sayzee remarked, acknowledging both the potential and pitfalls.
Looking ahead, Sayzee isn’t slowing down. He’s poised to release an album with the legendary Tone Mason and another project with upstate New York rapper Jamal Gasol titled Smoke Wave. With these releases on the horizon, Sayzee promises, “It’s definitely going to be an interesting year.”
Sayzee and Tona’s Sun Is Out is available now on Apple Music, Spotify, and various other digital streaming platforms.
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