Rochester

Toronto, ON – Rochester (aka Juice) continues his wave of new releases for 2017 with the launch of his new single, “Black Don’t Crack.”

The single delivers an empowering and motivational message and captures Rochester’s personal signal of support to his generation of peers dealing with unavoidable challenges of race, injustice, inequity, and identity – “don’t crack under pressure.” You can find the song on Spotify and iTunes.

Rochester kicked-off his wave of new music launches last December with his EP Cowabunga and has several new singles planned for the rest of 2017. Check out the new music below. - Hip Hop Canada

Toronto veteran rapper Rochester releases a fire new single called Black Don’t Crack. The single delivers an empowering and motivational message and captures Rochester’s personal signal of support to his generation of peers dealing with unavoidable challenges of race, injustice, inequity, and identity “don’t crack under pressure.” The song can be purchased, streamed, and downloaded on Spotify & Apple Music. Stay tuned for new music from Rochester, you can bet there’s more on it’s way. - Canadian Dope

Toronto, ON – It’s always great to see an artist that was around during our earlier stages still going strong so many years later. There’s no denying Rochester’s dedication to the culture and his craft. He was dope when we first met him – he went by Juice then – and his new material could be his best yet.

Released towards the end of 2016, Cowabunga is the latest project from Toronto vet; an 8-track EP featuring the likes of Boi-1da, The Maven Boys, Big Pops, DZY, Hooks, Staasia Daniels, Emg and Lgiano. Popular Toronto commercial radio station Z103.5 got behind the project’s release party and it saw some early success as the single “Boost” landed on Apple’s Hot In The Six chart. Cowabunga is available on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play.

“Grateful” is another tune doing good things for the project with the P.HarrisDesigns-directed video reaching over 30K view since November. The video has received a ton of great feedback with comments like “This track is refreshing, we need more music like this. Keep it up!” and “Yoo Rochester you gotta do some more shit like this help the youth out, need to get all the toronto blocks to stop beefing and just make music like this.”

Rochester and Boi-1da have always had good chemistry and this isn’t the first time they’ve come together on a big record. In late 2008 we featured the single “Pull Up” as our Song of the Day as well as the song’s remix shortly thereafter. The remix featured Kardinal Offishall, Lindo P., Shawn Desman and Shantal.

Make sure you take in new EP and stay tuned for more new music from Rochester. - Hip Hop Canada

Check out the title track from the new Rochester EP, Cowabunga. Juice uploaded the radio edit of the “Cowabunga” single earlier today as promo for the 8-track project continues. You can check out the tune below along some more track featured on the EP, the Hooks-assisted “Boost” and the Boi-1da-produced “Grateful.” Click here to take in the entire EP. - Hip Hop Canada

Toronto-based rapper Rochester (a.k.a. Juice) has major plans to release a ton of new content for the rest of 2017. He starts off with his ‘Quiet Storm’ freestyle over the classic Mobb Deep instrumental. Th​e freestyle captures a portion of the rapper’s​ journey as a thriving artist in Toronto​ — he​​​ ​has been influencing the music scene in Canada with his lyrical versatility for more than a decade. ​​This launch is ROCHESTER’s ‘warm-up’ as he prepares to share new releases with fans hot off the heels of his Cowabunga EP which launched December 2016. - Canadian Dope

Toronto-based rapper Rochester (aka Juice) is no stranger to big stages and shining lights, having supported a slew of A-list urban music talents on tour and on spot dates, including Chris Brown, Kanye West, Nas and Snoop Dogg. His debut street single and video “Boost” featuring Hooks, produced by Dzy (Dej Loaf, Kevin Gates, Little Simz, $ha) peaked at number six on Apple Music’s “Hot In The Six” chart right below Drake, Torey Lanez and Roy Woods. Rochester reconnects with Grammy Award-winning producer Boi 1da (Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Eminem) on his new single and video “Grateful”

The last Rochester and Boi-1da collaboration “Pull Up” featured a widely shared remix with Canadian rap icon Kardinal Offishall and Latin Grammy Award nominee Fito Blanko among others. This winter, Rochester gets set to release his forthcoming EP Cowabunga, by far his most anticipated and ambitious release to date. - City on my Back

Toronto-based rapper Rochester (aka Juice) is no stranger to big stages and shining lights, having supported a slew of A-list urban music talents on tour and on spot dates, including Chris Brown, Kanye West, Nas and Snoop Dogg. His debut street single and video "Boost" featuring Hooks, produced by Dzy (Dej Loaf, Kevin Gates, Little Simz, $ha) peaked at number six on Apple Music's "Hot In The Six" chart right below Drake, Torey Lanez and Roy Woods. His new single "Grateful" sees him reconnecting with Grammy Award-winning producer Boi 1da (Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Eminem).

After experiencing much success on his last collaboration with Boi-1da ("Pull Up") that featured a widely shared remix with Canadian rap icon Kardinal Offishall and Latin Grammy Award nominee Fito Blanko among others, this winter 2016 Rochester gets set to release his forthcoming EP Cowabunga, by far his most anticipated and ambitious release to date. - This is 50

Toronto has transformed into the hotspot for on-trend hip-hop and R&B. Spearheaded by the usual OVOXO suspects, the scene has also birthed up-and-comers like Jazz Cartier, Sean Leon, Drew Howard, and a plethora of others. For the unacquainted, it may seem like Toronto's rap circle is a fresh and new wave.

Rochester is a Toronto veteran. He's an artist who has lived through the growing pains of his city, and remains active during its come up. He continues to rep his city, and is now preparing for a return to form. Along with new material, the rapper has an abundance of stories to tell.

We caught up with the "Boost" rapper, to chat about his new single, his new ventures, and what makes his live show unique.


You just recently released your latest song, "Boost". Can you tell us a little about what the song means? It's a bit different than your previous work. "Boost" is also produced by DZY, who has worked with Dej Loaf among others. How did that collaboration come about?
I do most of my recording out of my business partner's studio in Mississauga. He renovated a studio space at the Rehearsal Factory, and if you've ever visited, you know just how much talent comes through on a daily basis. Everyone from Rich Kidd to Majid Jordan, Big Pops to Kim Davis. They all have spaces to create.


One day I was heading to Rehearsal Factory, and I saw DZY messing around on a hoverboard. I've never been on one before, so I asked him if I could give it a shot. I'm a quick study, so I got comfortable on it real quick...too quick! I started zooming up and down the hallway until my foot slipped. I flew off of it like a lion pouncing on a gazelle. They laughed, and I got up, brushed myself off, and went on it again. I guess he liked my resilience or maybe it was the fact that I wasn't afraid to embarrass myself. Either way, he invited me to his studio space and history was made.

Is this new single preparing us for a full-length release? Can we expect more music soon?
A lot more music! I have an eight-song album called, Cowabunga, on the way. I'm prepping a video shoot this weekend for my next single "Grateful", produced by Boi-1da. That should be dropping in November

You've been around the Toronto scene for a while now. Over that time, the city has really blown up. How have you seen the music culture here change over the last couple of years?
The music culture in Toronto has changed, yes, but it still lacks diversity. We've always been a melting pot of exceptional talent. The only difference, is that people actually care now. I've been to all of the major studios in the city, and I've toured the country multiple times. I've seen a lot of the raw and untapped talent that won't ever get the chance to be heard, just because of our infrastructure.

Related to the Toronto wave - you worked with Boi-1da. How was that experience?
I met 1da at a Kardi Christmas party a couple of years back. 1da tapped me on the shoulder and told me he that he wanted to collaborate again. I hit him up a few times on Twitter with some concepts for an album. He sent me three beats and the first two that I did - I thought were insane! I thought he was going to flip when he heard these, but when he did, he was like...meh. The last beat I wasn't too sure about, because it's different from what's out there right now. But I did the song and sent it off, thinking that I might get the same reaction. He replied immediately, and said how much he liked the record.

Who are you listening to right now from Toronto, or just in general? And where do you take your influences from?
PartyNextDoor's "Not Nice" and "Only U" are in heavy rotation right now. I like Jazz Cartier, and I think he's reppin' the city properly. He has remarkable music and clean visuals. I play Keys n Krates when I wanna clean my ear palette and Jack White for the same reason. Anderson .Paak always gets played when I'm cooking. Also, J. Cole for motivation, and Weezy for work outs.

You've worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. Any particular stories that stick out to you?
I met Jay Z once and was so wasted off of liquid cocaine shots, that I tried to sell him my album. I met Kanye once when I was opening for him, and actually asked if I could do my version of "Overnight Celebrity". I went on tour with Obie Trice years ago, and got more groupies than he did [laughs]. I saw Timbaland in Miami and found out why they say to never meet your idols, because it ruins the fantasy. I've seen Akon talk to his little brother Bu about not getting to caught up in the women, and to focus on what's important. I listened while Walshy Fire from Major Lazer​, explained why Toronto has the best Djs, and how watching Starting From Scratch play, changed his life. Yeah, I got stories.

One thing that's always mentioned alongside your name, is your live presence. How do you approach your live performances, and why are they so memorable?
Every show is different for me. I'm always looking for a way to keep it fresh, and I try and find that one thing that'll make people remember me. Not only with a dope verse or a undeniable beat. It's the way that I can connect with them. I look for the little things between the music that makes a connection with the audience. When I hit 'em with the fire, it's just the icing on the cake.

What can we expect from you for the remainder of the year? Anything else you'd like us to know?
More music! I'm also working on a cooking show right now that'll change the game! I'm terrible at multitasking, so once my album release is locked in, I'm gonna start production. Oh yeah, there's gonna be a PSA about gun-violence floating around soon, so be on the lookout for that! - Complex CA

As a longtime resident of the fine city of Toronto, which has since lovingly been renamed as the “6,” I’ve watched – and heard – the local scene grow through a few eras. I’ve become increasingly aware of the substantial amount of NYC content we’ve been serving here at AAHIPHOP, and I’m starting to feel like a dick. In the wake of the city’s newfound fame, It seems like a perfect time to put on my metaphorical Jay’s cap and start repping my city a little more.

Don’t call it a comeback, he’s been here for years!

This time around, I want to talk about a cat named Rochester aka Juice. After winning Flow 93.5’s (the city’s primary mainstream urban radio station) Flow Search Showcase in 2002, he pretty much hit the ground running. My first introduction to him as an artist was his Caribana themed video for the catchy single Do It off of his debut album. The years that followed saw him drop numerous songs/videos, rock stages with industry elite like G-Unit, and become the face of numerous campaigns for brands like the — now defunct — Athlete’s World stores, and Much Music’s Much Vibe, a 24/7 urban video station. Now, a decade since first bumping Juice, I’m sitting here checking out his latest EP, KARMAZABXTCH. It’s an eight-song offering that’s fresh, relevant and a wonderful way for Juice to reassert himself on the Toronto music landscape.

Kicking off with the club banger, Bad Girl, Rochester shows off an evolved flow that’s very “2016 Toronto.” His production is handled by some dope local beatsmiths, like J.Staffz and Anon London Beats. If I had to sum up the albums content, I’d say it ranges; He gets sexy on the bassy joints Say When and Karma Sutra, he gets personal on the lost love/broken heart vibe of Wounded Lips and goes all out on the EP closer Now Or Never.

Rochester seems like he was a decade too early; the level of notoriety he gained up here would have been mega-amplified within the scope of this “New-Toronto” wave that Drake, and cats like Jazz Cartier and Tory Lanez, seemed to have set-off. KARMAZABXTCH is sure to reignite the flame Rochester has ignited many times before. This time, though, all eyes are on the 6. With a few well-placed visuals (which Juice is known to drop), he could be looking at a whole new career plateau. - Above Average Hip Hop

“Karmazabxtch,” the highly anticipated EP from Rochester AKA Juice contains 8 original tracks with the bulk of production being handled by some of Toronto’s top up and coming producers. Karmazabxtch is a collective assembly of mellow and uptempo hip hop, hard hitting basslines and catchy hooks. Whether it’s drawing inspiration from a recent trip to his home country of Jamaica to write the club smash “Bad Girls.” Looking inwards at his own love life in order to write his current single “Wounded Lips.” Or showing off his killer instinct and aggression in the high energy track “Lucille.” Karmazabxtch exposes every side of Rochester’s artistry giving listeners an in depth look into The Juice! - NEFFWORKING

Toronto, ON – Rochester (aka Juice) continues his wave of new releases with the launch of what is being called Toronto’s summer anthem of 2017. His new single, “Good Vibes,” featuring EMG is available now on all major music platforms.

The song blends dancehall reggae-like beats to give ROCHESTER and EMG a hot wave to flow on lyrically, capturing the right mix to deliver the ‘sound of summer.’ Rochester and the Blocktrade team celebrated the single’s official release on June 15 inside Company Resto Bar.

“Good Vibes” is HipHopCanada’s Song of the Day. - Hip Hop Canada

Canadian artist Rochester has just released the video to his summer single, “Good Vibes”. Featuring EMG, the song has clip has been eagerly awaited. The track was produced by K-Fresh.

Infusing pop sounds into a dancehall sound, the song quickly became a fan-favorite and an unofficial summer anthem for Toronto.

Since last December, Rochester has been dropping a series of songs. He is promising more tracks and all we can do is anticipate.

Watch the visuals fro “Good Vibes”. - Aipate

Rochester push continues with “Good Vibes” feat. EMG. - City on My Back

RAH Sounds drops a song of triumph.
While R-Mean may have put his "R-Mean Mondays" freestyle series on hiatus, he still making his presence known with his feature on Toronto producer RAH Sound's new single, "Real Sticky". The song also features Joell Ortiz and Termanology, with hook duties being fulfilled by another Toronto native, Rochester.

Since this is RAH Sound's song, the beat better be at the forefront of the song, and thankfully that is the case. The production uses old-school boom-bap rhythms with the triumphant accompaniment of a booming horn section, encouraging each rapper to go their hardest, and that's exactly what they do.

Each verse has their respective MC's tell a tale of the sticky situations they had to overcome before they could make it in the rap game, including dodging bullets and dealing with inner demons. Check out the song and let us know what you think. - Hot New Hip Hop

Stick Up


When it comes to that champion sound, RAH Sounds got it made. Over the Toronto producer’s blaring horns, Joell, R-Mean, Term showcase their lyrical skills while Rochester mans the hooks. - Rap Radar

Canadian producer RAH Sounds has released a really dope new single with support from a diverse range of talented artists. Toronto’s own Rochester (who also represents BLOCKTRADE), Joell Ortiz, Termanology and R-Mean.

HotNewHipHop featured the record earlier with high praise to what RAH brings to the table, and his ability to steal the show despite flawless performances from the artists on the song:

“Since this is RAH Sounds’ song, the beat better be at the forefront of the song, and thankfully that is the case. The production uses old-school boom-bap rhythms with the triumphant accompaniment of a booming horn section, encouraging each rapper to go their hardest, and that’s exactly what they do.”

Listen to “Real Sticky” here or stream it below.



Coincidentally, we received a press release for this exact song while I was compiling this post. This isn’t officially part of R-Mean’s #MeanMondays series, but he might be using the timing of his appearance on RAH’s single to reboot the series:

“‘Real Sticky’ fuses boom bap with new school elements, laying solid ground for the diverse styles of each artist’s lyrical talents. Listen as each artist raps about their personal struggles in life and in the industry. The lyrics underscore how sticky each of the artist’s paths have been personally and professionally, showing listeners that the challenges they each faced weren’t unique to their cities.”

“Real Sticky” is HipHopCanada’s Song of the Day. - Hip Hop Canada