Return of the Real: The Rise of SonReal

The first time I heard SonReal it was back in December. It was his “Dr. Dumb it Down” track featuring Tona that caught my attention. I thought his energy was dope and his rhymes were fresh.

I wanted to hear more from the Vancouver emcee.

By the time I heard his track “I Tried” (a joint that basically boiled down to being yourself musically), I was sold. I was becoming a fast fan of SonReal when his “Clap for Me” video hit the net. Then he dropped the visuals for the high energy Rich Kidd featured track, “Already There” and then the Bishop Lamont track featuring Natt Dogg and SonReal exploded Stateside.

And now we’re here.

With a strong following in Canada folks Stateside are starting to ask, who is SonReal? Not to be cliché but SonReal is just a real dude with relatable music that has a fresh story line and interesting concepts. Oh and by the way the guy can rhyme, which helps him make quality music.

I dig SonReal.

With a few projects under his belt, it was The Lightyear Mixtape (his last project) that provided me with a great introduction to SonReal and his sound. And with a new project on the way, Where’s Waldo, he’s out to prove he’s the guy you’ve been looking for musically. And if the Classified produced track he just released is any indication, Where’s Waldo will be a winner.

SonReal is looking to continue to make his mark throughout Canada and worldwide. During our recent interview we talked Canadian Hip-Hop, his sound and more.

SonReal is dope, so pay attention.


(Photo by Lee Watkins)

ThroatChop: Let’s jump right into it. It seems like you've created quite the buzz on the Canadian Hip-Hop scene. Do you think you've gotten to that permanent spot as a Canadian household name yet?

SonReal: Of course. I feel like we are doing something completely new out here. Nobody is grinding like us in Vancouver and making the trips across the country as consistently as we are. Vancouver doesn’t really have a real front man right now so we’re just grinding for the top spot really. But yes ... we will have a permanent spot ... promise.

ThroatChop: Word. So, it seems as though you've crossed over to the States too. As a Canadian artist, why is that so important?

SonReal: Ahhh man, well I mean. It is so damn easy to get caught up in the Canadian market. It's like a whirlpool (and I ain’t even in Toronto). But yeah, especially in Toronto, they have so many insane rappers/singers/producers out there (with exceptions) that are famous in their city but haven’t dipped into the states. It ain’t easy man, and we haven’t even fully executed it by any means but we do not plan on just being household names in just Canada, we are trying to go down there as well as everywhere else just as hard.

ThroatChop: There are a lot of cool artists coming out of Canadian. Who are among your favorites coming out of the Canadian Hip-Hop scene?

SonReal: Obviously the O.G's like Sauks, Kardi, K-OS... but umm … for new dudes (I aint gonna say Drake laughs) (laughs) I would say my brother Rich Kidd. Dude is just a humble ass killa (laughs). Him (Rich Kidd) and my dude Tona. Tona doesn’t get near the exposure he deserves. Both those dudes taught me a lot as far as being in front of a camera and in the studio or whatever.

ThroatChop: It seems like you try to have fun in your music. For the most part you keep it light. I dig it. Where'd that type of energy start?

SonReal: Haaaaaaa everybody always say that. Well, Where’s Waldo (the upcoming project) might be a slightly rude awakening. But for real, I'm a happy dude, I got great friends, a great team of people helping me out, good producers behind me, my moms the shit... so how could the energy not be good! (laughs) But for real, some of the new stuff is a lot harder … at least harder than "keepin it light" (laughs).


(Photo by Lee Watkins)

ThroatChop: Word. I can respect that. So, how would you even describe your sound to someone for the first time?

SonReal: Very honest. Brutally honest. Melodic, if you haven’t noticed. I do pretty much all my own hooks. Even hooks other singers sing for me I usually write. My music has hook game, all day.

ThroatChop: So, even with a new project on the way, you're still pushing out music from The Lightyear Mixtape. How do you think that project was received?

SonReal: Man it's crazy because when it first came out people were hype. But it seriously had a massive second wind. It only came out last summer but around November til now with all the video buzz and blog love, we've gained a lot of new fans and listeners off that tape. I'm still behind that tape ... and I think my fans are too.

ThroatChop: You mentioned you have a new project coming up, Where's Waldo. What's the concept behind the new project and who did you work with on it?

SonReal: Where’s Waldo February 28!!! It has nothing to do with that lil’ red striped dude. I just called it that for familiarity and what not. It's all about me being an artist right now that is hard to find in the grand scheme of things, but once you find me.... it's over. You’re like "damn... I found him this guy is dope" (laughs). For rappers and singers I worked with Rich Kidd, Bishop Lamont, Saukrates, and Tona. As for producers... we got Big Pops and Vokab, Classified, Soundsmith, Rich Kidd, Lokeynote and my dogg Matt Brevner from Vancouver.

ThroatChop: What's the biggest different between Lightyear and Where's Waldo?

SonReal: As honest as Lightyear was, Where's Waldo is very much more so. I always felt like my fans wouldn’t be too stoked if I talked on certain things or said certain lines or whatever that I would refrain from saying. Where’s Waldo I just said fuck it, this is who I am. These are the things I am going to talk about and I think in the long run my fans will love me for it. The record is a lot more synth orientated and not as much sampling. It's harder. I say some heavy shit up on this record and you can tell I am hungry as hell.



ThroatChop: Damn. Sounds like Where’s Waldo is going to be a dope project. So, when you look back on your work five years from now, what would you have wanted to accomplish?

SonReal: Five years from now? Damn I want me Biz, Rich, Dane and Ferg to have the GoodLife head office in Honolulu (laughs). I just want to be making good music and doing what I've dreamed about since I started this thing.

ThroatChop: Word. So, we've spoken a lot about your music. Who inspires you? What are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

SonReal: (Laughs) I’m gonna be honest. In my iPod is just a bunch of beats and me. I'm trying to get this record done asap so I'm picking every track apart. But as far as dudes I’m listening to right now... Biz and I were driving back from a show the other day and just flipping out on that B.o.B "No Genre" tape. I love J.Cole.

ThroatChop: Last but not least, a question I ask everyone featured on Return of The Real, what's next for you?

SonReal: Man I really don’t even know. I do know it's going to be a huge year. But it seems like everyday lately Biz is getting a new call or I'm getting a new email saying something cool. So we are just trying to ride it out, keep our head down, and make things happen this year. Gonna be a great year ... thanks for the interview brah.

For more from Son Real, connect with him via Twitter and check out more music via her BandCamp and personal site.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.