In town for the COCA conference, Winnipeg’s rap sensation Abstract Artform (AKA Shea Malcolmson) is making a cross Canada trip to Halifax this week. Though the rapper will be hundreds of miles from home he says being out east is a blessing.
“I love the coast because it reminds me a lot of home and I just get along with everybody,” says Malcolmson. “The best part will be performing with everybody out here.”
Malcolmson will be performing songs off his third and most recent album, As the Crow Flies, for his Halifax date.
“I finally got to a point where I could narrow down my sound,” says Malcolmson. “It’s my most mature record to date.” This record was the first time Malcolmson let go of the production reigns which gave him more time to focus on his lyrics.
“It’s a fairly deep record and not as playful as my last record,” says Malcolmson. “I’m hopeful people will see the maturity and growth.” On the record Malcolmson talks about his adoption, dealing with addiction and issues growing up which he says creates a much more mature sound. He says the record is focused on blues and hip-hop which makes the sound more cohesive.
“I would say that it’s a mix between blues, country, funk and hip-hop. I call it backwards rap,” says Malcolmson. “It’s like laid-back rap. What we do while we’re relaxing, sitting back and drinking beer.”
Malcolmson says though he won’t have his band with him for the performance in Halifax, the audience can still expect to have lots of fun. “It’s going to be a whole lot of hooting and hollering,” he says. Check out Abstract Artform The Company House tonight, Wednesday, June 26 at Droppin' Science, 9pm with Relic (Toronto) and Ambition.
