The Rap King of Vancouver

Merkules

Isaac Isaac/Flickr

All Hail King Merkules

From the streets of Surrey, BC to internet stardom, Merkules (Cole Stevenson) deserves to be a household name but somehow that’s still not the case. It’s probably because the millennial generation doesn’t care about insane wordplay,  storytelling abilities, and realism but it’s time for that to change.

Having amassed more than 316 million views on Youtube and with over 500 live shows under his belt, this two-time Canadian Music Award-nominated rapper deserves some respect put on his name.

Merkules - Panda Remix

Javier Jofre/Flickr

Merk started his ascension to fame with his “Car Bars,” in which he would spit over already known beats such as Eminem. With his viewership gaining traction, Merkules knew he had to up his game. So, he began recording freestyles over popular songs, most time killing the originals.

“I’m taking somebody else’s record and then trying to out shine them on their own record, which is kind of like battle rap where you’re trying to outshine other artists.”

“The remixes have done big things for me. They’ve been my saving grace because they’ve gotten me to where I am now and have gotten me millions and millions of hits.”

With 12 albums under his belt, it’s amazing to think Merkules would cease to exist if it wasn’t for a violent attack that happened over a decade ago. On New years day when he was 16 while leaving a party, he was brutally attacked with baseball bats and slashed in the face with a switchblade. It was a devastating attack, but oddly Merkules found it educational.

“If it didn’t happen I might not have been in the mental space to say I know what lifestyle is not for me. That I must make music.”

Merkules has been gaining non-stop momentum and that momentum continues to flourish with the release of his new album “Apply Pressure” in November. Sitting at the table with rap heavyweights such as Kevin Gates, The Game, E-40, and Evil Ebenezer-a series of hard-hitting tracks that prove why Merkules is the king of rap in Vancouver.

 

 

 

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