NorthSideBenji’s new album paves a new path for Toronto rappers and what it means to express vulnerability in music

By: Bana Yirgalem

Toronto’s hip-hop music scene is continuously developing and proving that the city is home to a cache of talented artists. NorthSideBenji is one of the latest examples, with a new album that’s letting everyone know Toronto rappers have a lot to offer to the music scene. 

Coming off an extended hiatus after the passing of fellow Toronto rapper Houdini, to whom he dedicated the album, NorthSideBenji dropped his highly anticipated project, The Extravagant Collection in October. 

Benji and Houdini are both independent artists from Toronto and collaborated on the song “Levels” in 2019, which became a popular song in the Canadian hip-hop scene and eventually made its way to be certified gold in Canada. 

After that collaboration, the two became close friends and started referring to each other as the other’s “twin.” They were working on new music before the tragic passing of Houdini in May of 2020.

The Extravagant Collection gives listeners a much more vulnerable and introspective side of NorthSideBenji, a side that is often overlooked when it comes to Toronto rappers. It’s an upbeat, yet personal story that he expresses through his candid words, all relating to his struggles and the lifestyle that surrounds him.

The tape gets off to a somber start with the opening track, “Long Live Twin,” a tribute to Houdini; “They don’t know me and Twin independent / I ain’t gon’ see my Twin in a minute, it’s crazy.” He later raps about coming to terms with the fact that he won’t see his friend again, and how painful it was to see his death being covered; “Wasn’t supposed to see bro on the news.”

The feelings of pain and regret are encoded in this opening song and he executes the emotions in a genuine way, setting the tone for the rest of the album.

NorthSideBenji only enlists two artists to feature on The Extravagant Collection; Louisville, Ky. singer Vory and New York rapper Melii, who both bring their own taste to the album. “Stripper Heels & Heartbreaks,” which features Melii, is an upbeat track with an underpinning mellow vibe.

The song illustrates the point of view of a girl who is working hard to earn a living, an endeavour which leaves her isolated. Melli’s flow compliments NorthSideBenji’s flow in a perfect way; the melodies of his along with her adlibs make the song the perfect track to just vibe along to, while still telling a story and contributing to the vulnerability NorthSideBenji showcases throughout the tape.

“Keep Runnin’,” “Problems to Millions” and “Chess Not Checkers” are three songs that stand out within the body of The Extravagant Collection, as they all portray the same message but from different perspectives.

“Keep Runnin’” gives the perspective of being on the run to make money, but also serves as a message to keep running from everything in the streets that ended the life of some of his peers. “Problems to Millions” finds Benji going in depth about how he used music to turn his problems into opportunities. “Chess Not Checkers” is Benji acknowledging that life isn’t a game and that it’s like chess because there are people trying to end him and his career in the same way a player tries to capture an opponent’s king in chess.

All of these songs relate back to vulnerability, the gang lifestyle, and NorthSideBenji’s story as a whole, as he paints pictures and tells stories that are so personal to him.

 “The Voice” with Vory serves as an ideal track to close the album. The repetitive themes of suffering, loss and pain are evident in the lyrics and parallel the lyrics of the opening track; “When they took my dawg, ain’t want to rap again / All this fentanyl, you in the trap again / Knock up at the door, this just this paranoia.” 

Listeners of Benji know he isn’t a stranger to the gang lifestyle and what comes along with it, and these lyrics give us an insight into his personal experiences and losses.

The album addresses Benji’s personal growth as both an artist and a person. As someone who listens to NorthSideBenji, hearing this new side of him is definitely a breath of fresh air as he starts developing his own sound and voice as an artist. 

The Extravagant Collection is indeed an extravagant collection of lyrics, sounds, beats, and overall production that showcases NorthSideBenji’s talents and his willingness to present himself, unguarded and vulnerable, to his listeners. Hopefully, as he continues to make music, he continues giving fans more personal insight into his life, as this album is proof that it pays off.