Quinton Barnes, Naya Ali, Pierre Kwenders, and Fernie
Quinton Barnes - CODE NOIR
Quinton Barnes came to our attention as if they were shot out of a cannon. 2021s As A Motherfucker and 2022s For The Love Of Drugs blew us away. Sadly, a transitional period at Cups N Cakes, paired with our difficulties to find volunteers made us completely miss last year’s fantastic album Have Mercy On Me. We will NOT be missing Quinton Barnes in 2025 because it’s gonna be massive. Their first of two albums expected this year is out, it’s called CODE NOIR and it continues Barnes’ unique blend of industrial techno, R&B, hyperpop, and hip-hop. The music is an assault on your senses. It takes a truly gifted lyricist and rapper to stand out over music so bold and Barnes is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most gifted MCs in Canada. Lightning-fast delivery of emotionally driven lyrics from a queer perspective are the backbone of CODE NOIR and Barnes true gift to the world. Be prepared for multiple repeats though, there’s a lot to unpack in these nine tracks.
Naya Ali - We Did The Damn Thing
We did the damn thing… yup… and then some! Naya Ali’s highly anticipated new album is “a celebration,” as Ali puts it, “not just of everything I’ve achieved, but of everything we’ve achieved together, as a people, as a community, as a culture, we’ve come so far. Our victories are collective, and the strides we’ve made are monumental.” Carrying that positive message throughout the album’s fourteen tracks, Naya Ali raps with purpose and authenticity over beats that sound massive. The production on this record stands out as a triumph, it’s big… like blowout your speakers big. It’s a sound that many wouldn’t be able to compete with but Naya Ali’s unique cadence is so fierce that her raps need production this enormous. Turn this one up loud.
Pierre Kwenders - Tears On The Dancefloor
Congolese-born, Montreal-based Pierre Kwenders returns with his first new album since he took home the Polaris Music Prize in 2022 for José Louis And The Paradox of Love. Once again, Kwenders fuses club beats with Afro-centric sounds while singing in both English and French. His unique style embodies multicultural boundaries being torn down and just like with his last release, it feels like something we need. This new effort is called Tears On The Dancefloor and it’s an ode to the club and the basic human emotions that can pour out of ourselves when we embrace that scene. There’s the good, the bad, and everything in between. Kwenders employs a myriad of incredible guests to bring his newest vision to life and it’s truly a record that should be heard in these tumultuous times, there’s a positive underlying vibe to it and we can all use more positivity in our lives right now.
Fernie - Hopeless Dreams
This past Valentine’s Day, Montreal’s Fernie delivered his sophomore album Hopeless Dreams. Those in the know when it comes to Canadian pop, soul and R&B were waiting in anticipation for this up and coming artist to follow up his 2021 debut, Aurora. Acting as a prequel to Aurora, Hopeless Dreams sees Fernie opening up about childhood trauma and less-than-healthy past relationships. Using his voice as his healing tool, Fernie tackle’s those deep dark emotions that most of us reserve only for ourselves, our loved ones, or our therapists. It’s vulnerable and brave and deserves to be commended. If soulful R&B with pop sensibilities is up your alley, don’t miss out on the new record from Fernie.
- Jeff MacCallum