About Rel
Award Winning
While penning pages and constructing beats for his self produced album Miles To Go, Rel had no idea that it would go on to win 2 Independent Music Awards, taking both the judges panel and voter's choice for best hip-hop album. Fresh off a nomination for best live performance at the Toronto Independent Music Awards, and a Juno win for his production and mixing work on Shad's classic TSOL, the young artist would continue building his skills, pushing his own records, and eventually working with some of Canada's best in hip-hop: Thrust, Ghetto Concept, Wio-K, Theo 3, Korry Deez, Grimace Love, Ghettosocks, Moka Only, Eternia, Fresh Kils, Elaquent, DJ Uncle Fester, Lancecape, Ric Notes, and Tone Mason amongst many others.
“Those awards were great, but the reward in working with so many artists that I respect so deeply holds 10 times the value. No one can take those moments, relationships, or accolades away from me. That's the win.”
Soon, his album The 13th Floor with Fresh Kils would hold the #1 slot on college radio hip-hop charts for more than 10 weeks. Not something many indie artists can boast.
World Class
Rel had barely cut his teeth as an artist when the music industry turned the inevitable corner into the digital era. Managers, agents, promoters, and labels began to be fewer and more exclusive than ever. Rel took it as a challenge, and did whatever he could to get on stage and prove that he had every right to be there.
“I remember being out there hustling during the worst winter weather promoting my first record release in Toronto. 2000 flyers hand-to-hand outside venues of other live shows, as many radio interviews as I could get, and a gang of posters taped up everywhere anyone might see them. That was all before I knew about any kind of promo online. But yo, that first release was unforgettable. All my hard work really paid off.”
Now these years later the artist can confidently say that he has played on stages in 4 of the 7 continents, playing shows in Japan, China, Australia, Spain, and coast to coast tours of the U.S. and Canada.
“Sometimes all I need is someone to tell me I can't. There was this agent at one of these industry conferences telling me it would be impossible to book a tour through Australia. I went home, put my head down for a few weeks, and pulled together a 10-show tour spanning Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. It was dope! Don't ever tell me it's impossible... I just might prove you wrong.”
Triple Threat
“It wasn't really a calculated decision to do all the music myself. That just kinda came out of necessity. I wanted to rhyme, so I needed beats. I made the beats, I needed hooks. I sang the hooks, then I needed to record and mix them... and so on. After my first few studio sessions with other engineers, I just couldn't see a reason why I shouldn't learn to do it all myself. In my own way, in my own timing.”
“For real for real... there's a heap of dope emcees, great spitters... but where are the songwriters at? The game is a rat race. I get it. Content is king or whatever... but I don't get why anyone wouldn't take as much time as they need to get each song correct. This is your legacy. YOUR legacy. It's what we're gonna leave behind.”
Earner
Having been awarded close to $100K in Canadian federal and provincial grant funding over the years for numerous recording projects, videos and tours, Rel is no slouch when it comes to the numbers.
“It helps to try and leverage whatever skill sets you have at your disposal, making a little from each. Having multiple taps that drip a little here and there will eventually fill your bucket, and can quench the financial thirst when the drought rolls up on you.”
In 2016 Rel threw himself into a Kickstarter campaign that netted upwards of $11K in support of his album Gas Money. As an indie artist and entrepreneur, Rel owns and operates Gamma Delta Productions, the home of Reservoir Studio HipHop Solutions.
The Artist
Toronto native Rel McCoy writes songs for the thinker and the feeler. Hard beats, melodic hooks and a depth of writing that today's hip-hop sadly lacks, make Rel's content distinguished and refreshing. Referring to himself as a "skeptical believer," Rel somehow makes the paradox work, encouraging listeners to "question everything" while making his faith known to those who dare to listen for the deeper stratum.
Employing a writing style reminiscent of rhyme virtuosos like Elzhi, Black Thought, Freddie Gibbs and Nipsey Hustle, it's clear that Rel has spent some quality time with the pen. His skillful incorporation of classic machines [MPC3000 and the SP1200] give Rel that extra edge with a warm familiar groove, constructing bangers in his own distinct fashion. Without announcement the Canadian triple threat quietly packed up his studio and moved to Spain in late 2020 hunting for fresh inspiration.
Key Points
- 2x Independent Music Award winner
- Contributions on 4 of Juno Award winner Shad's albums including Juno Award winning TSOL
- The 13th Floor held #1 on Canadian College hip-hop charts for 10+ weeks
- Gas Money video premieres on HipHopDX and Noisey
- Live shows / tours in Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, China, Spain
- Kickstarter 2016 raised $11,000+
- Shared the bill with Slaughterhouse, Pharoahe Monch, Pharcyde, Kev Brown, Jeru the Damaja, Araab Muzik, Masta Ace and more
- Key industry conferences: SXSW, NXNE, COCA, CMW, NTMF, Sled Island, PanAm Games
