Portion Opens The Floodgates With New Single, “Wave”
The elusive Scarborough native is finally ready to present himself as your next favourite rapper.
by Daniel McIntosh
- Published on
Withholding can be a very powerful tool in music. By some twisted alchemy, artists who abstain from the regular album cycles confound our expectations, excite us, and always leave us wanting more. Portion knows that all too well. Although the Scarborough rapper has been recording music since 2015, the output has been a patient slow drip of singles. You can go through all of his Soundcloud releases in, like, one-and-a-half scrolls.
There’s nothing wrong with the considered, slow-and-steady approach though. It’s clearly working out for him. He spent his last few years moving between Toronto and Atlanta, tweaking his sound amid both city’s respective scenes. Early songs like “Ambitions of a Patek,” earned him notoriety for a precocious ability to wield melody. While eulogizing a childhood friend in “Fif’s World,” Portion displayed a lyrical maturity that set him apart from his contemporaries. These early songs led him to signing with Warner Music Canada this year.
“Wave,” is only his third single in 2021 but given the relative drought we’re glad to see Portion open the floodgates. The brass-heavy anthem takes notes from Atlanta trap while Portion celebrates his recent string of successes. On “Wave,” Portion brings the hype for his debut album, due out this fall.
By Matt Wallace
The one-day multi-venue festival proves that some of the city’s best discoveries happen off the beaten path.
By Cam Delisle
Warm guitars, lovesick musings, and a soulful vocal performance make for the cult favourite's most compelling release yet.
By Luis Minvielle
The long-running indie rock institution reckons with time, loss, and a surprising late-career resurgence.
By Molly Labenski
I Built You A Tower solidifies the indie rock stalwarts' enduring presence while exploring grief, rumination, and futile self-pep talks.
By Cam Delisle
On NATURE IS HEALING, the pasture-dwelling pop fantasist gallops through fantasy and euphoric dance-pop.
By Samuel Albert
The folk songwriter discusses her new album, A Sign in the Weather, moving to New Orleans, and finding inspiration in life's transitions.
By Glenn Alderson
The Calgary fuzz-rock duo turn grief, exhaustion and resilience into a cathartic first taste of their upcoming EP.
By Johnny Papan
The Evanescence frontwoman on misinformation and why the truth is still worth fighting for.
By Stevie Olivia Carter
Ahead of Eyes Full, the Tennessee-born free-jazz saxophonist and songwriter reflects on friendship, healing, and finding home between Appalachia and New York City.
By Stephan Boissonneault
The Montreal trio’s sophomore album balances indie dance-floor energy with quieter moments of reflection.
