Backed by electronic instrumentals, atmospheric flows, and flourishes of grit, Toronto's Future R&B scene is in the midst of a renaissance. The continued Billboard dominance of The Weeknd has powered the scene’s cultural relevance seemingly overnight, and now, Toronto is bubbling with an endless stream of talent. We here at Complex Canada have done your homework for you.
Abel Tesfaye aside, here are 5 of the six's best purveyors of the Future R&B sound. Don’t sleep on them.
1. a l l i e
Twitter: @alliemoves
a l l i e’s vibe has us feeling like we’re drowning in some sort of weird, sexy ocean. Tracks like "Remedy" have us thirsting for a full LP in the near future. In the meantime, start with her excellent 2013 EP, "Strange Creature".
2. Brendan Philip
Twitter: @phlpbnks
Fans of Bondax or Cyril Hahn would fall for the stuttery snares and airy synths of Brendan Philip. Couple that with undeniably soulful vocals and you have an artist worth keeping an eye on. Brendan Philip's self-titled EP is out now on Dine Alone Records.
3. Daniel Caesar
Twitter: @DANNYixxi
Daniel Caesar hops on subtler production for a more refined approach. The lazy comparison here is Frank Ocean, but Caesar establishes his own lane by revisiting ideas and encouraging us breathe. 2014’s Praise Break is as exciting as it is beautiful.
4. WILDE
Twitter: @We_Are_Wilde
WILDE has a penchant for the dark and brooding. The trio is evolved, sometimes leaning closer to the electronic side of things, but never straying too far off from the genre’s roots. Check out their soundcloud page for an eerie Hozier cover.
5. Rochelle Jordan
Twitter: @Rochelle_Jordan
Rochelle Jordan’s 1021 had some of the strongest R&B singles of last year. Her delivery is effortless and her flow is incredibly confident. If recent co-signs by heavy-hitters like Illangelo, JMSN, and Jessie Ware are any indication, she’s bound for big things. We would be far from shocked if she blew up, and even less surprised if it happened real soon.
