Two of Canadian rap's finest, Haviah Mighty and Clairmont The Second, have joined forces for a video for their track "Smoke"
The song appeared on Haviah Mighty's Polaris Music Prize-winning 2019 album 13th Floor.
"'Smoke' manifested from the underdog experience," the rapper said in a statement. "As a female in hip-hop, and as a black female in Canada, it often feels like I'm fighting the stereotypes and history that precedes me — fighting the ignorance, fighting the negativity — to be recognized as regular, as equal, and be given a fair chance in all facets."
She continued: "None of these preconceived ideas match what I feel within me, but I still remind myself of not only societal stigmas, but other people's stigmas, and how that shapes their perception of me. How the hardships that blacks sometimes face, shapes others' perceptions of us. And how, despite all the noise and ignorance, there is no one who can truly identify the 'shape' of you, but you. This song is to empower those in their self-affirming thoughts, and in the moments of necessarily reminding ourselves of our greatness."
The video, meanwhile, sees both Haviah Mighty and Clairmont The Second being their own greatest champions.
Watch the clip for "Smoke" below, where you'll also find Haviah Mighty's upcoming tour dates.
Tour dates:
02/20 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
02/21 Montreal, QC – Le Belmont
02/24 Oakland, CA – Noise Pop Festival (The New Parish)
03/01 Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
03/04 Los Angeles, CA – The Basement
03/06 Brampton, ON – Sheridan College Davis Campus (students only)
03/11 Vancouver, BC – Boiler Room x AXE Music @ Fortune Sound Club
03/13-22 Austin, TX – SXSW
06/21 Kingston, ON – Skeleton Park Arts Festival
07/31 Montreal, QC – Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Parc Jean-Drapeau)
The song appeared on Haviah Mighty's Polaris Music Prize-winning 2019 album 13th Floor.
"'Smoke' manifested from the underdog experience," the rapper said in a statement. "As a female in hip-hop, and as a black female in Canada, it often feels like I'm fighting the stereotypes and history that precedes me — fighting the ignorance, fighting the negativity — to be recognized as regular, as equal, and be given a fair chance in all facets."
She continued: "None of these preconceived ideas match what I feel within me, but I still remind myself of not only societal stigmas, but other people's stigmas, and how that shapes their perception of me. How the hardships that blacks sometimes face, shapes others' perceptions of us. And how, despite all the noise and ignorance, there is no one who can truly identify the 'shape' of you, but you. This song is to empower those in their self-affirming thoughts, and in the moments of necessarily reminding ourselves of our greatness."
The video, meanwhile, sees both Haviah Mighty and Clairmont The Second being their own greatest champions.
Watch the clip for "Smoke" below, where you'll also find Haviah Mighty's upcoming tour dates.
Tour dates:
02/20 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
02/21 Montreal, QC – Le Belmont
02/24 Oakland, CA – Noise Pop Festival (The New Parish)
03/01 Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
03/04 Los Angeles, CA – The Basement
03/06 Brampton, ON – Sheridan College Davis Campus (students only)
03/11 Vancouver, BC – Boiler Room x AXE Music @ Fortune Sound Club
03/13-22 Austin, TX – SXSW
06/21 Kingston, ON – Skeleton Park Arts Festival
07/31 Montreal, QC – Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Parc Jean-Drapeau)