“High-Energy, Deep Meaning: How One Rapper is Changing the Game”
In this exclusive interview, TOPS (TorontoPages) Magazine sat down with rising hip-hop artist Spitty, whose roots span from Gujarat, India, to Jacksonville, Florida, and Brampton, Ontario.
Spitty has been making waves in the GTA’s vibrant music scene with his unique blend of conscious hip-hop, catchy bangers, and a distinct South Asian influence. Known for his thoughtful lyrics and energetic sound, he stands out as one of the few artists who avoids using explicit language in his music, ensuring that every word carries meaning and value.
I had the pleasure of discussing his journey—from being introduced to rap through BET at age seven to navigating the challenges of a saturated music market. We explored his influences, songwriting process, and the personal experiences that shape his lyrics. We also talked about his exciting new album Motherland, his growing impact on the music scene in Brampton, and his long-term vision for his career. Spitty shared invaluable insights on what it takes to succeed as an artist today while staying true to one’s roots and message.
Please tell us briefly about your background and how your music was influenced.
My family is from Gujarat, India. I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in Brampton, ON. I think all of those places have influenced my music. It’s heavily inspired by my South Asian roots. I learned about hip-hop growing up in the multicultural city of Brampton, and people often say my accent and style sound more American than Canadian.
What inspired you to pursue rap? Who were your influences?
When I was 7, we switched from basic cable to a satellite dish. My older cousins came over that weekend and instantly showed me a channel called BET – Black Entertainment Television. Before this, all I knew were Backstreet Boys and Barney songs. That night, I was introduced to 50 Cent and Nas, which showed me the true range and star power that hip-hop artists can have. Above all, I felt the impact music can have—whether in a directly inspirational way or just as fun motivation. Rap has consistently done that for me, and that’s the energy I want to spread to the world through my music.
What challenges did you face as a music artist when starting your rap career?
Honestly, just not knowing what I was doing. I dreamed of being a rapper since I was six years old but had no blueprint on how to achieve that. I ended up copying what I saw upcoming YouTube rappers doing in the early 2010s. I didn’t have anyone around me interested in the same dreams, so I was left to figure out the music business on my own.
“I don’t swear in my raps. Every word I use has meaning and value added to the song.”
What makes your music stand out from other rappers?
I don’t swear in my raps. Lyrics are my favourite part of hip-hop, and I want to ensure every word I use has meaning and value added to the song. I speak on a variety of topics, but I never insert cuss words just to fill a bar or because they sound good (even though they do). Beyond that, it’s a unique blend of conscious hip-hop and radio hit potential, sprinkled with my South Asian flavour.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you usually start creating a track?
I always have so many ideas swirling in my head. Some of these are song topics, some are one-liners, and some are melodies. I use one of those ideas to start a song, usually pairing it with the right beat that either a producer sends me or I find online. From there, it’s just a matter of sitting down, focusing, and getting into my personal zone. Writing is truly my favourite part; it’s such a personal experience, turning your thoughts into real words for the world to hear.
How would you describe your unique style as a rapper?
I call my music “Conscious Bangers.” It’s usually high-energy and catchy, but always centred on a deeper meaning or topic. Even if I’m making a party or love song, I work hard to ensure the lyrics are clever and as thematically unique as possible.
Which music artists do you listen to currently?
These days, I listen to a lot of Denzel Curry, JID, and ScHoolboy Q. These rappers really embody that high-energy yet deep music that I also create. I also always keep classic artists like Jay-Z, Eminem, and 50 Cent in rotation.
What themes and messages do you try to convey in your music?
My main focus is to motivate and inspire my audience to be the best versions of themselves. I often focus on themes of time, energy, and philosophy to encourage my listeners to seize the day.
Do you draw any inspiration from your life experiences that heavily influence your lyrics?
Definitely. My song “Around The World” begins with the lyrics: “Picture me and my family barely made immigration / My grandma 5 foot on her feet back breaking / Back when it was cheque to cheque, no savings / We could never settle ‘cause we knew that we would make it.” I’m constantly weaving my life into my music—it’s all connected.
What has been the most challenging part of being a rapper in the GTA?
It’s a very saturated market full of incredible talent. Being a rapper is easy these days because it’s so accessible, and there are plenty of artists to collaborate with. The real challenge is standing out. You need to find your unique selling point and remain extremely consistent for possibly years before seeing explosive growth.
How do you measure success as an artist? What are your biggest milestones so far?
Great question. Everyone has their own metrics. For me, I have specific goals I want to achieve with my music, and I base my success on how close I am to those. One of my main goals is to do a headline tour across multiple countries, with a minimum 500-capacity venue at each show. Another goal is to have a song hit 1 million Spotify streams. My biggest milestones so far include having multiple songs pass 100K Spotify streams, performing in Brampton for Canada Day, performing in Brooklyn for a South Asian music festival, securing a brand deal with Chivas Regal, becoming an official Brampton Artist Ambassador, having two viral reels (475K & 1.4M plays), and directly impacting hundreds of people through my music.
What other genres are you interested in? Would you ever make music in those genres?
I’m open to listening to all genres. I actually use social media to do remixes of other genres all the time. This year alone, I remixed a country song, a K-Pop track, a Western classical piece, and an Indian drill song. I think to authentically dive into those genres, I’d love to collaborate with artists who are already established in them.
What is your long-term vision for your music career?
I want to continue growing my audience and performing more shows across the province, country, and the world. My long-term vision is to be a highly-streamed artist who can tour internationally. I also want to continue building the music infrastructure in my hometown of Brampton. I currently organize and host free open mics for the community in collaboration with the City of Brampton. I’ve also started giving speeches to middle and high school students and teaching music business workshops for new artists. I want to expand all of these initiatives as much as possible.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself peaking in my music career, touring the world and performing for thousands in every city. I want to give back to my community and others around the world, using my music, money, and platform to make a positive impact. I’ll continue to inspire and motivate my audience to be the best versions of themselves.
Are there any specific projects you’re working on right now that you’re excited to share with us?
My album Motherland is out on September 27. It’s my second album, and it’s been in the works for two years. I’m really excited to release it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever created before—an entirely collaborative, South Asian-inspired hip-hop album. Each song has its own unique sound, and almost every track features a guest artist.
Outside of music, what interests and passions do you have that people might not know about?
I’m trying to improve my chess ranking. Right now, it’s pretty low, but I hope to find more time to practise. I also love biking and play a variety of sports from basketball to squash to beach volleyball.
What are some of your favourite hangout spots in Toronto?
This summer, I’ve been spending a lot of time along Lakeshore, from Humber Bay Bridge to Woodbine Beach. I also love the vibe of Kensington Market, especially on pedestrian Sundays. Trinity Bellwoods is another great spot. And I enjoy partying on Queen St. W and grabbing King Slice at 3 a.m.
Your message for us at TOPS (TorontoPages) magazine.
Shout out to TOPS! I appreciate you all for sharing the bops. It’s always good to get your voice out there, so I respect you for creating a platform and championing artists like me. It doesn’t go unnoticed. And shout out to all the readers—you’re the ones keeping us alive!
