Sri Lanka-born, Toronto-based musician Shan Vincent de Paul is readying his debut full-length Saviors for release this week, and Exclaim! is giving you a preview of what's to come with the exclusive premiere of album cut "Church."
The hip-hopper and his family fled civil war at home, establishing new foundations in Toronto — where he's carved out his own spot in the artistic fabric of Toronto. Working alongside La+ch, Coleman Hell and Michah, Shan Vincent de Paul creates music as one quarter of the city's Sideways crew, though Saviors finds him stepping up to take his own share of the spotlight.
"Church" blends a psychedelic electro beat with a hazy, infectious hook and quick, articulate verses, making for a slick track that breaks down the walls between hip-hop and R&B, with an electronic undercurrent bubbling beneath the surface.
"I was listening to a lot of Brazilian artists when writing this one," he tells Exclaim! "I wanted to capture that playful rhythm you find in South American music but translate it into rap cadences. It's like Jorge Ben meets Pharcyde meets N.E.R.D. It's also a nice break from a lot of the heavy hearted stuff I'm doing on the project, a needed balance."
Listen to the eclectically inspired new track in the player below.
Saviors is officially out on April 15.
The hip-hopper and his family fled civil war at home, establishing new foundations in Toronto — where he's carved out his own spot in the artistic fabric of Toronto. Working alongside La+ch, Coleman Hell and Michah, Shan Vincent de Paul creates music as one quarter of the city's Sideways crew, though Saviors finds him stepping up to take his own share of the spotlight.
"Church" blends a psychedelic electro beat with a hazy, infectious hook and quick, articulate verses, making for a slick track that breaks down the walls between hip-hop and R&B, with an electronic undercurrent bubbling beneath the surface.
"I was listening to a lot of Brazilian artists when writing this one," he tells Exclaim! "I wanted to capture that playful rhythm you find in South American music but translate it into rap cadences. It's like Jorge Ben meets Pharcyde meets N.E.R.D. It's also a nice break from a lot of the heavy hearted stuff I'm doing on the project, a needed balance."
Listen to the eclectically inspired new track in the player below.
Saviors is officially out on April 15.