Smiley is Toronto’s rap maverick. An artist who, since his arrival on the scene in 2018 with street classic EP Buy. Or. Bye, has solidified his standing as the architect of his own sound and a revered rapper poised to take his talents from the streets of Toronto to the mainstream. Fusing a relaxed flow and torpid cadence with gritty illustrative lyrics, Smiley narrates his personal highs and lows with a charismatic self-assurance. His voice is a trademark and his story is credible; combining those strengths has secured a fervent fanbase and touted support by industry staples like The FADER, Complex, XXL and artist of the decade, Drake. With standout projects like A Tape To Remember and YYZ-LAX under his designer belt, Smiley is readying his next era to show just how far you can take it when you make it out. “New year, new chapter,” he says with a smile.