Epic’s Chickpeas, produced by Deadly Stare, is a masterclass in contrast. The track unfolds like a diary entry, with Epic—a Saskatoon-born rap veteran now based in Edmonton—reflecting on his transition from inner-city grit to suburban quietude. Over Deadly Stare’s minimalist, experimental beat, which layers glitchy synths and rhythmic shakers (courtesy of Mavis Da Ros), Epic’s gravelly delivery paints vivid snapshots of “decaying Edmonton centre” alleys and the eerie glow of suburban Christmas lights. Lines like “Northside bungalows hold more ghosts than the projects” blur the line between nostalgia and dislocation, grounding existential musings in tactile imagery.
Released via Four Finger Distro, Chickpeas marks a compelling chapter in Epic’s storied career. Once a cult figure in Canada’s underground rap scene (notably mentoring Cadence Weapon and influencing Factor Chandelier), his return feels both elegiac and revitalized. Deadly Stare’s production—reminiscent of Flying Lotus’s textural experimentation—complements Epic’s stream-of-consciousness style, creating a soundscape that’s as unsettling as it is introspective. For fans of Aesop Rock’s labyrinthine lyricism or Clipping.’s industrial edge, this track is a haunting reminder that hip-hop can still dissect the mundane to reveal the profound.
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