If the rumblings of the vast Toronto underground seem to share one common trait at the moment, it’s an understated ability to maneuver the traditionally unexplored territory of emotional vulnerability in hip-hop. And there likewise happens to be one common crew of collaborators and friends whose multi-tiered influences have granted them the most acute sense with which to navigate it. 

 

Hush, a lyricist born of rough Brazilian roots who unearthed salvation through creative release in Toronto, is one. Hudson Alexander, the well-respected, broad-strokes producer whose perfectionism defines the scene’s backdrop, is another. And on new single, MADtv, the two artists whose individual breadth are immeasurable, come together for the third time with another release ahead of their collaborative project, this time featuring fellow Torontonian, Brick.

 

Though deceptively hype with its first breath, MADtv also exhibits its deeper, somber grip. Hush, fairly grassroots and eloquently defined as a lyricist, does what he does best while equally folding into the mold, an addicting cadence. That cadence rides deceptively complex production – something we’ve come to expect from Hudson Alexander, whose steady hand seems to delicately blend countless layers of sonically diverse movement into something of a solitary ring.

 

The result is a spellbinding sense of duality where, if unfocused, the track feels like a hard-hitting club banger, but with attention to detail is something entirely more complex, meaningful, and deep. The layers continue to run deep for both artists who seemingly have a lot to say, but are strikingly clever with how they say it.