Brendan Philip

Based in Toronto, Canada, singer-songwriter Brendan Philip creates experimental R&B infused with soul, psychedelia and electronic textures, where the voice occupies a central role within often slow, introspective atmospheres. Active on Toronto’s independent scene, Brendan Philip first came to notice after winning the Harbourfront Soundclash Award in 2013, which led to sharing bills with hip-hop-jazz group BADBADNOTGOOD as well as performances alongside Bilal and rapper Shad on various stages. His eponymous project, released in 2015 on the Canadian label Dine Alone Records, established the foundations of a sonic world that plays on contrasts between minimal pulses, vaporous harmonies and a melodic approach close to soul singing. Brendan Philip has since expanded his work through numerous collaborations, notably with Toronto rapper Keita Juma on the house-rap track “Come Over”, while releasing online singles such as “Life After Death” that extend this atmospheric aesthetic. Having appeared at events like POP Montréal and the midday concert series at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, and having participated in talent-spotting programs such as the Canadian Spotify Emerge initiative, Brendan Philip belongs to a generation of R&B artists blurring the boundaries between song, rap and electronic music.