Video: SonReal – “Problems”
The Vancouver-Based Rapper Relives His Past Struggles in the Latest Video From His Upcoming One Long Dream Album
07.17.2017
Critical Praise for SonReal:
“It’s about time you got familiar with the Vancouver rapper who is on his way to becoming one of the biggest rap exports from Canada.” – Noisey
“SonReal’s unique, developed flow allows him to lay out his style of everyman rap successfully.” – The Source
“As always, SonReal’s writing crowd-pleasing hip hop, but The Name EP reveals how good he is at it.” – UnsungSundays
The Video:
SonReal’s elaborate, creative music videos illustrate his unique perspective as an artist trying to make it in music. Reflecting on his troubles with an encouraging optimism, “Problems,” SonReal’s latest video, takes you on a journey inside the artist’s daily struggles. In the visual, premiered by Billboard, SonReal breezes around town in a La-Z-Boy, dramatizing his life-changing decision to leave his job and chase his dream. For four months, the Vancouver-based emcee crashed on his friend’s couch while recording his first mixtape. Originally premiered as an audio single by Earmilk, “Problems” depicts the struggle of leaving behind a blue collar life in pursuit of true artistic satisfaction: “I will wake up, on my homies sofa/Weight all on my shoulders/All for this dream tonight.” The video single, inspired by SonReal’s conversations with fans while on his recent headlining No Warm Up Tour, is the latest clip from One Long Dream, SonReal’s debut album, coming out on August 11th.
“When I got off my last tour and I was doing VIP meet and greets and getting to know my fans,” explains SonReal. “I started realizing that they aren’t with me only because I make cool videos or because I have cool punchlines. Those are an added bonus. They are fans of my music because they connect to it. It makes them feel something. They would tell me, ‘Your music saved my life,’ and ‘I was in a deep depression but [this song] made me work through it.’ Last year I had a tough year, I lost my father, and I leaned on music to get through it. I thought that maybe somebody else felt the way I did. The world needs to hear that things aren’t perfect all the time, that everyone is human and goes through bad times I quit my job and slept on my friends’ couch for 4 months to record a mixtape. There was no Plan B
Born in a small town in rural British Columbia, SonReal built a massive legion of fans on the strength of his music videos, his soulful sing-rap style, and his ability to connect emotionally through his songs. The multi-talented artist is one of the most acclaimed and popular rising stars in Canada, earning six Juno Awards nominations and ten nominations and a win at the MuchMusic Video Awards. Making a name for himself in the American market with his energetic live shows, most recently opening for Jon Bellion on his sold out NA Tour, SonReal aims to break through to the mainstream with One Long Dream. Featuring production from Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Rahki (Kendrick, YG, Schoolboy Q), DJ Kahlil (Dr Dre, Anderson Paak, Eminem) and others, and boasting the hit single “Can I Get A Witness?,” One Long Dream releases on August 11th via Black Box Music.
Watch “Problems” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwJDJcr7FjM
Buy/Stream “Problems”: https://itun.es/us/mTgvkb?i=1247046490 | https://open.spotify.com/track/5h2TALUWTh66rr4bKueusj
Check out the Billboard premiere: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7866174/sonreal-problems-video
Please contact Michelle or Dharmic for more info.
The Background:
About SonReal:
Born in the small town of Vernon, British Columbia, SonReal is poised to be the next great Canadian export. A YouTube sensation, SonReal’s first video boasted the best talent show sequence since Napoleon Dynamite and racked up over a million plays in the first month. His next mixtape, the Juno-nominated For The Town, continued the visual tradition, including some of the most creative music videos on the web in “Preach,” “For The Town,” and “Woah Nilly.” After completing an American tour and signing to a major label, SonReal began to work on his debut album, One Long Dream. The first single of the project “Can I Get A Witness” was an instant success, achieving platinum status and entering the Top 15 in Canadian pop radio. SonReal immediately jumped onto Jon Bellion’s sold out Human Condition tour, and then headlined his own No Warm Up Tour. Already a 6-time Juno Award nominee and 10-time MMVA nominee, as well as a MMVA winner for Best Music Video of The Year, for “Everywhere We Go,” SonReal is primed for takeover in both Canada and the US.
About Black Box Music:
Black Box Music is a record label, artist management and music publishing company based in Toronto, Canada. Their eclectic roster/discography includes the likes of SonReal, Classified, Shad, Clairmont The Second, Blaq Tuxedo, The OBGMs, The Glorious Sons, songwriter Lisa Scinta and more. www.weareblackbox.com
Links:
twitter | instagram | soundcloud | facebook | website
“Problems”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwJDJcr7FjM | https://soundcloud.com/sonreal/problems | https://itun.es/us/mTgvkb?i=1247046490 | https://open.spotify.com/track/5h2TALUWTh66rr4bKueusj
“Supersize”: https://open.spotify.com/track/1WcHUJ9Q2uURBpvsKVJJgj | https://itun.es/us/uifvkb?i=1247040026 | https://soundcloud.com/sonreal/supersize-1
“Potential”: https://youtu.be/u7iQ-DuiOUs // https://umc.lnk.to/Potential
“Can I Get a Witness”: https://youtu.be/pyXhsTTD0Tk
“Everywhere We Go”: https://youtu.be/UNVtM9P-yLM
Bio, photos, and streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/sonreal/