Toronto rapper and producer, The 6th Letter, is shaking up the local hip-hop game with his style, flow and message. With two mixtapes out the 19-year-old founder of the independent label Above The Rest Entertainment has already created a solid fan-base with his unique approach to hip-hop.
Although smoky topics fill much of the content of his verses, The 6th Letter says he is not to be considered another weed rapper. His lyrics are intellectual, relatable and accompanied by different beats from producers such as Raz Fresco, Ski Beatz and Talen Ted. His relaxed, confident flow proves he is wise beyond his years and brings a fresh sound to hip-hop that the new school can enjoy. Off-stage he is soft-spoken and humble, but on-stage he captures the audience with his energy.
“[My music is] nostalgic because I draw a lot of influence from the old school era, the ’90s era,” he says. “I listen to a lot of A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan. It’s a new school twist to that old school feel. It’s a new energy to that.”
The 6th Letter got his start by reaching out to artists through social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. This approach garnered him positive feedback and opportunities from notable names in the hip-hop game.
“I think that my advantage was networking heavy and building relationships with people overseas, reaching out and have people reach out back to me,” 6th explains. “Just moving like that. That’s how I got the kick-start to my career. It was online stuff. I’m active on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, all that. It was just self-promotion, that’s really what it was.”
Through interacting and building a relationship with The Smoker’s Club Tour founder, Jonny Shipes on Twitter, 6th was asked to open up for The Smoker’s Club Tour when it hit Toronto in 2010. While many rappers’ first performance is in a small venue, The 6th Letter hit the stage for the first time opening for Curren$y, Smoke DZA and Big K.R.I.T.
“It was unreal. It inspired me, just being on stage. That was my first time performing, so I was kind of nervous but I was still amped at the same time,” says 6th, who opened for the tour in Toronto again this summer. “I always believed in myself, so I always knew [my music] was going to go somewhere, but not this fast, just from that experience.”
Through the power of social networking, 6th was also provided with another great opportunity when he reached out to Wiz Khalifa affiliate and New Jersey emcee, Neako, whom 6th is a fan of. He sent Neako some beats and told him to check out his tracks. On Ustream in December 2009, Neako spit over 6th’s beat and built a relationship with him from there. Once Neako heard 6th’s freshman mixtape, What the F, he asked 6th to join World Music Group, his independent label
“I’m a fan of Neako’s music,” shares 6th. “I was always listening to his stuff before I even reached out to him. Watching and learning from him has been kind of crazy; it’s very inspirational. I’m learning a lot.”
The release of 6th’s sophomore mixtape, Go Green, created his biggest buzz yet — what started off as just a mixtape, turned into a movement.
“Go Green is strictly weed, nothing else, and just be yourself, be happy, and be positive. A lot of people caught on to that, they enjoy it, they reach out,” he says. “I reach out back to them to spread peace and love.”
The 6th Letter is currently finishing his new project NorthernPlayalisticGetHighMuzik, which will drop early this year. Raz Fresco, the Toronto rapper/producer who has made beats for artists such as Big Sean, Wale and French Montana, will be producing every track on 6th’s new project.
“6th has definitely grown,” says Fresco. “The whole unit we have, that’s basically what we’re all about. We’re just about progression and moving forward. 6th is growing with his music, with everything he does. After he does it, it’s about doing the next thing bigger.”
