Toronto, Canada transplant and Melbourne, Australia native Notion – MC, Producer and Engineer – has been in the game for a while; learning, watching, collaborating, sharpening his creative sword. A trio of solo mixtapes in the late 2000s lead to his debut EP, the thematically relevant “Pride On My Cufflinks” in 2013, followed by a slew of singles and loosies, all culminating in this moment.
You never forget your debut, and this project means the world to Notion. As the title suggests, “Heart On My Sleeve” is a deeply personal album, containing music he’s worked on over his time in Canada and touching on subjects that he’s never spoken on before. At times dark, introspective, reflective, emotional, positive, quietly confident and inspirational, “Heart On My Sleeve” has something all of us can relate to. Notion conveys his emotions in a way that not many other MCs are bold enough to put on display, and this admirable trait makes this project all the more important. Written and recorded through an often tumultuous time of his life, the record expresses the whole breadth of human emotions, while the soulful, boom bap vibe is a breath of fresh air in today’s brash, disposable musical landscape.
Production credits includes the likes of Remot, KidEight, Durban Poison and Myer Clarity, while the vast majority comes from Notion himself. And with heavyweight guests Skyzoo, Canadian Hip Hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes, Ghettosocks, D-Shade, Cee, iLLvibe and Jonathan Emile, the LP will most certainly cement Notion as a mainstay in the North American Hip Hop landscape.
Today also sees the release of Notion‘s latest music video for the moody “Goin’ For Gold“. Shot in Toronto with regular collaborator and Montreal-based cinematographer King Richard, the video follows the often frustrating path of a creative working on their craft, through to the triumph of figuring it all out, striving for the win – going for the gold, literally and figuratively.
Stream “Heart On My Sleeve” on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music, and purchase via iTunes.
“Heart On My Sleeve” was mixed and mastered by Notion at Illnote Studios, Toronto, Canada. Photography and cover artwork by Joshua Telfer. Management by High Season Co.