Having found his stride at the intersection of hip-hop and R&B, K-Riz packs his syllables and vocals with power. A rare, multifaceted artist who can rap and sing with equal aplomb, on his forthcoming third full-length album, One Way Ticket,
set for release on Sept 15, 2023 on Birthday Cake Records, he enters his self-described “Off the Wall era.” Much like Michael Jackson’s masterpiece of
liberation, One Way Ticket pulls from an assortment of influences and showcases the Edmonton-bred, Calgary-based dynamo at his apex, glowing with confidence, embracing new experiences, and living in the moment.
From the nostalgic funk samples on “Something About U” to the hip-hop and R&B interplay of “Less is More” to the dance-music inflections on “Whatever U Like,” One Way Ticket is a capsule of the sounds that continue to shape him. With cuts
courtesy of scratch DJ Fatrok, “Middle Finger U” serves up a message to the
naysayers who oppose the musical life path he’s chosen: “There’s no ceiling,
only space above me to occupy.” All the while, wishing cynics well in his
eternal quest towards self-betterment (“Don’t Judge”), and lifting up the next
generation of unsure artists (“Be Great”). Exposing the loneliness of making
art when others don’t support you, he offers some words to live by to anyone
aspiring to more: “They may tell you that you can’t be great, so tell them you
already are great. You’re just on your way.” It’s a statement of true growth and gratitude for the gifts that life has given him, and his sense of obligation to give back to others like him.
Invited guests across 14 tracks include Bubby Lewis, Octavio N. Santos, Ice Tha One, Zenon, Riwo, and K the Chosen, along with production from Junia-T, LordQuest, JDats, Eddie Pe$o$, and more. Where The Room EP (2020) captured the inner thoughts of K-Riz recovering from a near-death car accident, and Peace & Love (2021) traversed the deeply personal stages of grief and joy that came from experiencing love, heartache, and ultimately finding inner peace, One Way Ticket is a departure from all the pain; it’s a celebration – a victory lap – for making it to the light on the other side.
Since the release of his debut entry, 2016’s Fresh Air, K-Riz has earned admiration
from audiences and critics alike for his emotional vulnerability and chameleonic versatility. He’s received praise from outlets including Complex Canada, Exclaim, and CBC Music and, in 2022, he landed a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Best Rap & Hip Hop Artist. Alongside his full band of impeccable instrumentalists, he continues to build a reputation for his live show on stages big and small, including Calgary Stampede’s Coke Stage, Sled Island, JUNOfest, and Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater.
