Ottawa native LonelyBoyxxo teams up with indie hip-hop artist Freddy Printz, who is also from Ottawa, for single “Nefarious.” The almost-3-minute-long track released in February 2020 and has already racked up nearly 14,000 streams on Spotify. Produced by Chanksdaddy, the track can be found on various digital streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. The song garnered enough attention to be played on a local radio channel, CKCU 93.1 FM.
Later in November 2020, the artists put out a video on YouTube to accompany the song. The pandemic put a crimp in their plans to release the video earlier. Directed by Freddy and Ben Telford Visuals, the video was shot on location in Ottawa, mainly in the Chinatown neighborhood. Scenes of nightlife rotate before the camera pans onto the two collaborators, who sincerely look into the camera while rapping and singing. The hyper-stylized blend of slinky trap and R&B highlights the themes of toxic behavior. The artists see themselves making the same mistakes repeatedly. The video further plays on this by creating a hazy aesthetic and the ambiance of deserted streets. LonelyBoyxxo’s crooning serves to bring a sense of vulnerability to the theme both in the song and video.
“Creep” is the only single released by the artist in 2020. Though LoneyBoyxxo has not hurriedly released music during the pandemic, he has stayed active in the music scene. In April, he was honored to be listed in Shifter Magazine as Top 10 Most Slept On Canadian Hip-Hop and R&B Artists. In May 2020, he was interviewed by radio station CHUO 89.1 FM to discuss life in quarantine and upcoming music. True to its name, “Creep” immediately begins with synth sounds that promote a slightly horror-esque and suspenseful mood. As soon as the powerhouse vocals enter the song about 12 seconds in, the horror mood lifts a little and moves toward a more chilling, frightening vibe, still with an overtone of creepiness. The 3:15-long explicit single has been streamed nearly 18,000 times on Spotify.
LonelyBoyxxo’s debut EP, “February That Cried Red” featured a collection of 4 songs totaling 14 minutes. His second EP, “Love & Hennessy: Volume 1” and Volume 2 are currently in production and slated for release in the spring and fall of 2021.
LonelyBoyxxo’s style is a throwback to 90s R&B thanks to his smooth vocals and production. The performer combines effortless styles including R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop alongside his clear energy to create his own crooning style. Reviewers have credited his sound to a fascinating mixture of nostalgia and bedroom music. The Canadian aims to redefines music by challenging the lack of representation and diversity within the music industry. His philosophy is to remain true to himself and to his fans.