Artist Introduction
What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Somethin’ Like That is my moniker and I was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. My journey has taken me to living in Vancouver, BC, Canada for over a decade and for the past 6 years I’ve been in Lethbridge, Alberta.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
Growing up in highschool I used to get pretty blasted and introspective and one night while freestyling w friends I noted how often I was hearing the phrase “somethin’ like that”. I also had people come up to me and say frequently, “Hey I heard you rap or somethin like that, can you drop some bars right now? ” so after a while it started sticking and I wrote more music incorporating that as my official moniker. When I first started writing and getting serious about hip hop and hitting frees and cyphering I went by Cron Tokes. It wasn’t until about 2009 that I made the full switch – and instead started writing Cron Tokes as a character in some of my early works.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
East Coast flavour with West Coast vibe, my music is always the vehicle for sharing thoughts, struggles, and stories. There have been a lot of shifts since early recordings 15 years go with some of my first projects – the themes, passion, knowledge, and outlook have changed vastly and you can see the difference in quality between 2009-2016 bandcamp and 2017-2024 commercial releases. After being a self-starter and producing shows and a tour through NS, ON, and BC in Canada from ’14 to 2018, Somethin’ Like That will remain a leader in the community while uplifting others to navigate their talents and careers as musical artists as he re-emerges with the Speech Rich Vol. 2 EP.
Fan Engagement
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
This single for Worth was shot in Iceland through a series of unplanned events. My girlfriend at the time, and now wife, were driving through the south of the country and running on very little sleep – trying to see as much as we could in the short 48 hour window we had there. As we were driving back from Vatnajokull Glacier and Diamond Beach, we took a turn to find a sight we were trying to see and got turned around and stumbled upon a lush farmland and creek area. Taken by the scenery, we decided to film a bunch of footage and that would eventually serve as the main location for the first single from the new project. It was completely unplanned and yet a perfect match for the vibe and overall treatment of the music video. The whole experience and beauty of Icelandic countryside helped bring out the best in the track and its overall message!
What message do you want to convey through your music?
It’s not too late to change and to build. It’s not ok to succumb to the system. We need to empower, learn, fight back, and get strategic. You don’t need to sell your soul to create good music with positive messages. Getting turnt, lit, and letting loose have a place and a time, but it’s all about balance and being self-motivating. The people who don’t achieve their dreams are the ones who don’t plan to reach them!
Behind the Music
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
This track originally didn’t have the bridge at the end but I wanted to infuse further inspiration into the canvas, the overall production. We had to do some work with the homie Caveman, who recorded, mixed, and mastered this one and it was exactly like the lyrics say in that part, kind of like a self fulfilling prophecy by adding this into the song: “We have always been, unified complete. We were meant to become, what we’re meant to be”. In the context of the full EP as well, it’s really nice in conjunction with the transition into track 4 (it’s the 3rd track of 6 songs) and adds to the overall theming and dynamic of the project.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
It’s hard to pick just one so: Canada – Choclair – because we’d cook an absolute classic and he’s a major inspiration to me because he was my first real introduction to hip hop with his record “Ice Cold”. US/Nigeria – Burna Boy – because Afrobeats and Hiphop coming together is fye fye and that’s been fueling my creativity lately and the direction we’re heading not only sonically but in my area and with the people I’m working closely with. A movement’s happening and Burna Boy and I would make a chart topper no doubt. It’d be along the lines of his joints Sittin’ On Top of the World (ft. 21 Savage) or For My Hand (ft. Ed Sheeran)
Future Aspirations
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
My first international shows, adding depth to the team/label High Level Records, and helping some new younger artists to get put on while we keep developing the hub for music in my locale. You can also look forward to seeing Somethin’ Like That at some larger events and maybe even opening for some notable artists as they come through to the Rocky Mountains.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
There are over 3 upcoming music videos in the works, and around 22 songs across 4 projects that will be released over the next three to four years. These include commercial and non-commercial: Non-Commercial Mixtapes: Somethin’ Like That – Altro Vita (Other Life) – prod. by Various (20 tracks) Somethin’ Like That – Ancient Lands & Distant Hearts – prod. by Various (7 tracks) Commercial Originals: Somethin’ Like That – NIX – prod. by Mason Rex (4 tracks) Somethin’ Like That – Heaven’s Divide – prod by Young Prince Beats (8 tracks) Somethin’ Like That – Speech Rich Vol. 3 – prod by SLMN (4 tracks) Somethin’ Like That – Di Stelle LP (15 tracks) A major goal is to put out my first commercial LP by 2026. I’d also like to get one of my songs featured in Film or TV!
Recent Work & Contact Info
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
www.speechrich.com
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Instagram – @speechrich
