Alias None has a one of a kind style and voice with a very rough-edge and unique flow paired with soft and smooth melodies making him well known for his versatility. Alias None isn't a stranger to voicing out his opinion on what we take in as "Hip Hop" these days and is known for taking shots at artists for faking their careers - some to never to return to music. Alias None began playing various instruments at the age of 10 and started playing around with Hip Hop further in his life around 2007 when he was just seventeen. Later Alias None would then join with Tyrant and then Johnny Manic forming, Fac3Valu3 to do some minor touring and some notable shows. It wasn’t until 2018 that Alias None started taking music serious and leaving the mentality of it being a hobby behind. Alias None released his hyphy banger “25/8”. I played this song on full volume and saw how it caught the attention of not only myself but others around me. It has that special effect to garner an audience and attract listeners. Maybe it’s Alias None's gritty, unique and out of the ordinary rap voice? Maybe it’s the gaudily, extravagant, dark - yet chilly aggressive rap beat? Or maybe it’s the hard-hitting lyricism with the impeccable delivery and insane flow.Whatever it is, “25/8” instantly gravitates you towards the banging record. It has the potential of not only serving as a radio hit but a party hit to share with all your friends! It’s perfectly fitting for the current trend of rap culture. Lately, hip-hop fans been vying for the bold and in your face rap style that’s been lacking in certain areas of the rap game. Alias None is here to fill that void of raw talent and charisma we didn’t know we desperately needed!
Check out Alias None's new song "25/8" and learn more about the meaning behind the song from Alias None himself!
Hey there, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey, so my name is Colin Rankin (Alias None). I'm from the East Coast of Canada. I was born in Fredericton, the Capital of New Brunswick and I grew up between there and Saint John.
What inspired you to start rapping?
We were teens.. an old buddy and I were just relaxing in the basement on a uncomfortably hot summer day.. "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was playing over and over on the DVDs main menu, so I figured why not sit down and mess around? Long story short, I ended up realizing I got more emotion out of writing than I'd did playing the various instruments I was playing at the time. That's what inspired me to write that day... What inspired me to start rapping was the feeling I got when writing... Odd that I've always enjoyed Hip Hop yet never gave one thought to writing until late in my teens.
Who are some of your musical inspirations and why?
Oh man, that's a super long list! I've been playing guitar since I was ten, various instruments followed so I have inspiration from many artists. Growing up I listened to a lot of music with my Dad. Everything from Uriah Heep to Chris DeBurgh. Honestly, I listened to everything you can imagine that was mainstream from probably 1970 and on. The Game, Eminem, G-Unit, Ludacris, Ice Cube, Slipknot, Cannibal Corpse, Primus,et. But as for currently; Kevin Gates, Syph, Littles The General, Sayzee, Mozzy, Scrap Gang and so many more!
Although you’re a rapper, do you like broadening your genre of music?
- One hundred percent. If I'm alone I generally listen to instrumental jazz or blues. A lot of people around me complain that it sounds like elevator music so I tend to do that on my own time.
What’s your artist interpretation behind “25/8”?
I've been going non stop for my people for as long as I can remember. I'm up everyday between 9am and 10am and I don't usually get to bed until between 4:30am and 7am. When it comes to my hunger for success so that my people need for nothing, I have a tape worm. If I could function without sleep I wouldn't have a bed. It might not be healthy but that's my mindset.. I've surpassed motivation.. I don't even know the word for where I'm at with this focus.
Do you usually deliver an aggressive flow or do you like to switch it up sometimes?
No, in my humble opinion, I believe I am very versatile. I almost don't have a particular sound because I experiment so much.. and I think that gives me my own sound.
What’s your opinion on the current state of hip-hop?
I think it's transforming into entertainment and the artistry of lyricism is getting lost. It's sad to say that a high percentage of what sells isn't what it appears to be. I remember laying back on my bed listening to album after album with headphones on.. nowadays I don't know many people in the younger generations that can enjoy a song without a video because we've "dumbed" down our populations so much we can't associate the music properly without visual stimulation.
Is there a major rap scene in Canada?
There's a passionate scene. Booming? No.. Alive? Yes. Drake has put us on the map in a major way... Merkules is doing a lot right now and is making us underdogs proud. Canada isn't the U.S, it's definitely harder to make it from here for obvious reasons but nonetheless, Hip Hop is alive and well in my beautiful country.
If you can collaborate with any rapper of your choice who would it be and why?
Hands down, Kevin Gates. His music has made an impact on my life in a major way in the past few years. I might not be where I am today if it wasn't for his music.
Where do you find inspiration for your songwriting?
Everywhere. It can come from waking up in a good mood, it can come from a realization in a simple conversation, the possibilities are endless.
What’s your ultimate goal for 2019?
No doubt about it, by the end of 2019, I'll be doing music full-time. My Mum deserves here dream home and my Dad deserves his dream Corvette. I won't stop till I can retire them and give them everything they want. Before you'll ever see me buy a fancy car or house you'll see my parents in theirs. That's real talk.
Connect with Alias None on social media:
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/alias_none_music
YouTube: Alias None Official