Moka Only

Born Daniel Denton in Langford, British Columbia, and long associated with the Vancouver scene, Moka Only has since the late 1980s developed a singular trajectory in Canadian hip-hop, between independent rap, home production, and a marked taste for jazz and soul textures. Initially active in groups such as Split Sphere with Prevail, he also participates in Swollen Members' history in the early 2000s, while at the same time pursuing a very prolific solo discography started with Upcoast Relix in 1995. His flexible writing, often laid over lo-fi, relaxed or more abstract beats, blends rap, singing and spoken word in a format where atmosphere counts as much as the verses. Moka Only has released important albums such as Road Life (2000), Lime Green (2001), Flood (2002), Lowdown Suite (2003), The Desired Effect (2005), Vermilion (2007), Carrots and Eggs (2008), Concert for One (2017) and In and of Itself (2023). Very active in collaborations, he has recorded with Def3, Ayatollah, Factor, Chief, KutMasta Kurt, or under the alias Ron Contour, another facet of his work. His path is also distinguished by several long-running series, notably Airport from 2007 and Martian Xmas, which extend a craftsmanlike, prolific aesthetic rooted in the North American underground.