One thing I learned at Bluesfest 2018 is some artists are better suited to small intimate venues and others are better suited to the big stage. Local rapper Black Iri$h is for the big stage.

I had the opportunity to see Black Iri$h and RBLx perform at Marvest last year and liked what I saw. Aside from making good music, they were also good performers. That was the beginning of my conversion from being only a boom bap and bars guy to being open to the new wave of hip-hop.

Even though I went to his Marvest show, I have to admit I slept on Black Iri$h just a bit. Last month, Black Iri$h released his latest project, Gemini Season, and I didn’t get around to listening to it until recently, ahead of his Bluesfest performance. And you know what? I knew he was good, but damn…he’s really good.

This brings me to last night on the Black Sheep stage. I entered to Black Iri$h performing Foreign, one of his big songs from 2017 that I also saw him perform at Marvest last year. He was joined by RBLx members Xuave and Svdvm for the opening slot of the evening.

After Foreign he performed Babylon with Ottawa producer and artist V C T R. This part of the performance felt a little bit all over the place, but this song is a hit. I wouldn’t expect it in Ottawa, but somewhere in the world this song should be playing on mainstream radio.

The highlight for me was Nascar, my favourite Black Iri$h song. Another was him shouting out XXXTentacion and Smoke Dawg, and paying tribute to X with Look At Me which got the biggest crowd reaction of the whole show; crowds jumping and yelling out the lyrics. By now the crowd had grown. It was definitely one of the bigger crowds for a local act, especially in an opening slot. Impressive.

Then it was Svdvm’s turn to come to the forefront with his viral single Auston Matthews. He had to apologize a few times for rapping about the Toronto Maple Leafs star in Ottawa. How about a Erik Karlsson song to get him to stay with the Senators?

Iri$h closed out his show with Back It Up and came down to the crowd shirtless which had the ladies screaming. They didn’t seem to have a problem with the hook, “If she ain’t got a booty I don’t wanna fuck”. As they did throughout the show, they had the confetti guns going off, and it was a big turn up fest.

I have to give respect to Black Iri$h because his show was like nothing else I’d seen at Bluesfest. He has his own lane. He was accompanied by a DJ and a drummer; a combination I don’t remember seeing at Bluesfest. He also showed some versatility. As I said in my Bluesfest preview, Black Iri$h can give you bangers but then he can also give you bars on a track like Get Paid.

One of the knocks that new rappers get is their lack of stage presence and crowd engagement. That’s not the case with Black Iri$h. He’s a natural performer and entertaining just off his personality. In between songs he’d use autotune almost like a helium tank at a birthday party to ask the crowd questions like, “What you drinking?” It provided some good comic relief. He was one of the few artists who made me laugh.

He was high energy from beginning to end, and between his energy and personality, he kept you engaged and entertained throughout the whole show. Black Iri$h looks like a star on stage and he has the music, persona and work ethic to do damage in the industry. - SHIFTER

Ottawa artist Black Iri$h released the visuals for his hit track “What You Drinkin” last night and it’s a certain guarantee to be your new go-to party anthem. The video shows Iri$h living life without worries with his squad of OTT hooligans accompanying him throughout a day of clean, reckless antics. Decked out in Far From Average gear, Iri$h and his team start their own block party, socializing with the residents and popping champagne on the roof. If only everyday could be like this.

Have a look at the video and make sure to share the work of one of the most positive, talented artists in the city.

Download the track on iTunes here. - Small World Ottawa

Far From Average Records presents Black Irish with his fresh new single called On The Low. He is one of the hottest up and comers from Ottawa producing quality music for the masses. This track is a certified banger for the streets, it’s about staying on the grind and hustling on the low. Black Irish has that new wave sound that appeals to the new generation of rap listeners and his music is literally on fire. Be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram and stream or download his single “On The Low” today! - CANADIAN DOPE

Ottawa, Canada rising artist Black Ir$H From FFA FAR FROM AVERAGE recently drops his latest visual “What You Drinkin.” - DJ ICEBURG

hockey references in hip-hop songs happen as often as President Trump has good hair days. Rappers generally stick to the holy triumvirate of basketball, football and baseball when it comes to sports namedrops, and for good reason — hockey is a cold-ass sport full of crazy white guys in masks (props to Nat X for that insight). But every so often, a stick wizard comes along whose magic is so undeniable even MCs can’t ignore him (eg. “Angels all on my chest, ice on my wrist, I feel like Wayne Gretzky”).

That player, right now, is Auston Matthews. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ all-star rookie is so good he gets more than a mere reference — there’s a whole doggone trap song about him. “Auston Matthews” by Ottawa-based artists SVDVM, Black Irish, and Xuave (that’s right — even folks in Sens territory can’t deny his greatness) is one hell of a turn up anthem. One that deserves to be blaring out of every club in The Six — or, I don’t know, at the Air Canada Centre during warm-ups. Just listen to that outbreak-ready hook: “Auston Matthews…Auston Matthews…Hit ‘em with the four like Auston Matthews, BRUP BRUP BRUP BRUP!” (A reference, of course, to that time Papi made history by scoring four goals in his NHL debut.) Eat your heart out, Future. - sharpmagazine

Ottawa, ON – It’s no secret that Leafs Nation extends way way past the city limits of the Greater Toronto Area. In fact, when the Leafs are in town to face the Ottawa Senators, half the arena is decked out in blue and white. The modern day Sens are a relatively young organization – having only returned to the NHL in the 1992-1993 season – and the Leafs have been around, officially, since 1927. So not everyone is going to give up their allegiance to Toronto’s team, despite heir hometown team returning.

Fast forward to the 2016-2017 season where young phenom Auston Matthews and Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews makes his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators, scoring 4 goals in a 5-4 overtime loss. Matthews would be the first player in the modern era of the NHL (starting in 1943-44) to score four goals in his debut. And Ottawa artists SVDVM, Black Irish and Xuave certainly think Matthews is the real deal. Using his 4-goal performance as inspiration for their new single named after the Arizona-born skater. “Hit ’em with the 4 like Auston Matthews… run the 6ix.”

It’s unclear if the trio are actually Sens fans, Leafs fans or even hockey fans at all, but they definitely know how to bang out a big record. “Auston Matthews” premiered yesterday on Ottawa’s own Nu BRL Radio show hosted by Lil Thrilla and DJ Alive. Check it out below. - hiphopcanada

SVDVM Ft. BLACK IRI$H & XUAVE “Auston Matthews” - theblowup

nspiration for memorable rap songs can be found in many places. The club, the car, the corner, and — yes — even the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanada.

So it was that independent rap artist SVDVM, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan for all of two seasons, found himself watching Auston Matthews’ spectacular four-goal debut live at the Ottawa Senators’ home and the seed for an anthem was planted.

Auston Matthews, Auston Matthews/ Hit ’em with the four like Auston Matthews…

With “Auston Matthews,” SVDVM, who wrote the track in November, and featured emcees Xuave and Black Iri$h have created an addictive anthem for the Toronto super rookie.

Hockey and trap, together again.

Shot at the Carleton University Ice House and directed by Samuel X, the video for "Auston Matthews" has stacked more than 26,000 views in six days.

Matthews himself "liked" the post on Instagram.

"My relationship with hockey just got a lot better," SVDVM tells Sportsnet.

"I didn't expect this many people to tune in so fast. A lot of people are congratulating me on a marketing scheme, but that wasn't my intention. I was just trying to make a great record."

Naming a rap record after a specific athlete has become a familiar trope of late. Kanye West and Lil Wayne knocked out "Barry Bonds," Chief Keef is ballin' like "Kobe," and Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs gave it up to "Scottie Pippen."
Last season, Montreal artist Wasiu used "P.K. Subban" as a vehicle to touch on Quebec's racism. And only someone not from Latvia could forget "Zemgus Girgensons."

The irony here? SVDVM hails from the Ottawa Valley area. Raised on the sounds of 50 Cent, Soulja Boy, Nas and DMX, he used to be a big Mike Cammalleri fan before throwing an AM34 sweater on his back.

"I'm not a Senators fan, but I always hope they win," SVDVM says. "Just not when they play the Leafs."

Happy with the buzz the anthem has generated, SVDVM hopes the attention inspires fans to check out his other work, like the 2016 EP Coldnada.

He's dropping a new song on March 2. No word yet if it'll be about how the Maple Leafs used their cap space at the trade deadline. - Sports Net

Auston Matthews knew he would be big news in Toronto this season — but a rap song named for the rookie?

Toronto’s leading scorer has enjoyed some fame thanks to independent rapper SVDVM, featuring emcees Xuave and Black Iri$h, It’s based on his memorable four-goal game in Ottawa in the season opener and his name and the line: ‘Hit ’em with the four like Auston Matthews’ are repeated often.

“I saw it a couple of weeks ago,” Matthews said Saturday morning. “It’s pretty cool to have your own song named after you and pretty funny. I’m a big rap guy. Mitch (Marner) starts playing it on the way to the rink, he thinks it’s hilarious.

“It’s getting tagged a lot. Some of my friends from home were asking me if I saw it. Good for those (artists), it’s a pretty catchy song.”

The artists are from the Ottawa Valley and filmed the video cavorting around the rink Carleton University’s Ice House, with their crew wearing Leafs sweaters.

The last rookie to have a memorable song named for him was Wendel Clark, an unsuccessful attempt to get him votes for the 1985-86 Calder Trophy. Gary Suter of the Flames was the winner with Clark runner-up.

KUDOS FOR CLAUDE

Like most, defenceman Matt Hunwick figured Claude Julien would not be out of work for long after being fired by the Bruins earlier this month.

Of course, he didn’t foresee Julien’s eventual landing spot being back with the Canadiens.

“I’m maybe surprised that it was Montreal, but not surprised he didn’t last long (on the unemployment line),” Hunwick said. “When you’ve had the track record he’s had and won a Stanley Cup, I think those guys don’t come on the market very often ... which explains why he was only out of a job for a week.”

Hunwick spent his first three-plus seasons playing for the Bruins under Julien, from 2007-11. As such, he understands just how much of an effect the veteran coach can have on a team.

“(He had) a big influence on me,” Hunwick said. ”Claude and Craig Ramsey, who was the D coach at the time, were big helps. I had a few seasons under them and probably learned the most as far as learning the NHL game. Things like being responsible defensively. That was at the core of my time with the Bruins and made us successful.

“He’s fair, he’s honest. I don’t think I’d label him one thing or another. He was great for my development. I think you always like a coach who lets you know where you stand. No grey areas.” - SportsCenter

Ottawa, ON – Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, our Song of the Day is the latest single from Ottawa up-and-comer Black Iri$h. “24 Bandz” was produced by 24 Yoko and RoffieTrill, and released by Far From Average Records. You can check out the record below.

We recently interview Iri$h along with fellow Ottawa rappers SVDVM and Xauve. The trio joined forces earlier this year for a tune that has appealed to hip-hop heads and hockey fans alike. “Auston Matthews” was ‘liked’ on Instagram by Toronto’s young star, and he later told Toronto media that he appreciated having the ‘catchy song’ made in his honour.

Check out “24 Bandz” below and stay tuned for more from Black Iri$h. - HIPHOPCANADA

Black Iri$h
With RBLx looking on, their crewmate Black Iri$h hit the Black Sheep Stage with explosive energy, reminding us again of the immense amount of talent working in the Ottawa scene. With Travis Scott inspired crowd work and a collaborative approach to his set, Iri$h brought a much needed vibe with his set. What took the crowd by surprise was his slick versatility with Auto-Tune on his song “Foreign.”

What made this show a classic was the fact that he wanted to put his crew on. He brought out Trevor, a local MC in his crew, as well as up-and commers SV and Xuave who brought that Trippie Redd aura to the stage. Some of the performance highlights included energetic performances of “Auston Matthews” and “Nascar.” What makes Bluesfest special is the fact that local artists are able to express themselves on a larger platform, and Iri$h took full advantage. The crowd was a healthy mix of his loyal, ever-growing fanbase, as well as new fans he had won over with his performance.

I’d give his set a solid 5/5. Another great look for a bubbling artist on the local scene. Keep doing your thing Iri$h! - HIPHOPCANADA