TLDR: With the The Sawlid Act album, Ottawa rapper Sawlid made his official project debut with an album that captured his raw, independent energy.
Ottawa’s underground hip-hop scene doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves, but Sawlid, also known as Nic Rhymes, has been steadily carving out his lane. A product of the capital’s east end, Sawlid came up alongside his cousin Sir Jax (formerly The Kaliber), dropping early mixtapes on Landlokt Records that rippled through the local circuit. By 2018, he was ready to make his formal statement.
That statement was The Sawlid Act, a 10-track debut album released independently in November 2018. It’s an unfiltered portrait of an artist coming into his own, with production that balances moody boom-bap and modern trap elements. Songs like “Uno” and “Gucci” capture both introspection and street grit, while “Fuck Mumble Rap” serves as a sharp statement on the state of hip-hop and Sawlid’s commitment to lyrical authenticity.
For longtime followers of Ottawa hip-hop, the album felt like a moment, a checkpoint proving that local artists could create work that resonated beyond city limits.
Throwback Thursday is the perfect lens for revisiting The Sawlid Act. In a city where artists often struggle to break out, Sawlid’s debut is a reminder that Ottawa’s rap community can deliver albums that are both personal and polished. Whether it’s the gritty, reflective lyricism or the confident delivery, the album embodies the spirit of independent hustle.
The Sawlid Act is currently only streaming on SoundCloud but could be re-added to major digital streaming platforms in the near future.
A few years after The Sawlid Act, Sawlid continued to evolve, releasing the moody Darko EP along with standout singles like the Roelyn Wilde and Sir Jax-assisted “9and3mi6,” further cementing his presence in Ottawa’s hip-hop scene.
