HAVIAH MIGHTY BEGINS 2021 WITH INTROSPECTION ON ANTISOCIAL FEATURING OLD MAN SAXON
WATCH VISUALIZER HERE
ANTISOCIAL FOLLOWS OCCASION , ATLANTIC AND 2019 POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE-WINNING 13TH FLOOR
Toronto, ON – January 15, 2021 – After a monumental year making numerous strides – even while the world was at a standstill – Polaris Music Prize-winning (2019) Toronto artist, Haviah Mighty, kicks 2021 off with Antisocial. The track was produced by Haviah and Devontée, and features Denver, CO-based rapper, Old Man Saxon, who Haviah was set to tour with last year. Focused on reflections around self-confidence and deep introspection, the song arrives in a timely manner as society continues to evaluate life from a more independent perspective. Listen to Antisocial here, and watch the visualizer by BlackPowerBarbie here.
“I remember listening to the beat months ago, feeling really energized by the hard cuts and bouncy percussion. That energy within was bottled up as I sat on my bed, hanging out alone, socially distancing - something I spent a lot of time doing around the time I wrote this song. As I got comfortable and familiar with being alone, I focused on self-help and self-care. As someone who generally only felt comfortable on the go in the messy hustle and bustle that is life, this time of slowing down to better get to know myself was important,” Haviah says.
“This song focuses on those emotions of self-confidence that we feel inside, the desire to be alone, the desire to sit with one’s thoughts and to validate oneself. Friends don’t validate you. Once you’ve validated yourself, they can reinforce those feelings - but first, you must validate you. I remember watching Rhythm & Flow (Netflix), and seeing this interesting contestant who wore suits and had a quirky, almost poetic flow, and I remember rooting for this guy. On this song, I wanted to feature somebody who could embody an off-the-cuff energy, and someone who is non-conforming and self-driven - Old Man Saxon came to mind. We chatted about what it means to be Antisocial - enjoying one's own space, especially as a vulnerable creative.”
Antisocial follows two tracks Haviah released to close out 2020, including Atlantic, a track examining the ugly truths of money, the roots of unequal labour, and its impact on marginalized communities worldwide, and Occasion, a song produced by Haviah, Mighty Prynce and Sauce Junky, and initially developed during an Instagram Live session in March just as the pandemic set in. Sauce Junky, who was on the livestream, sent Haviah the stems, which she later flipped into a beat, including guitar arrangements by Ben Foran and percussion crafted by Mighty Prynce.
Haviah concluded 2020 by sharing her story with others; she graced two magazine covers including the November/December issue of Canadian Musician Magazine and NEXT Magazine’s inaugural issue, was included in Post City Magazine’s Toronto’s Most Inspiring Women Of 2020 list, and brought Complex Canada in-studio for an exclusive look at her creative process for their Northern Clutch series.
Haviah became the first Hip-Hop artist, as well as the first Black woman, to win the Polaris Music Prize for her 2019 album, 13th Floor. The project highlights Haviah’s relentless work ethic and vast sonic influences; ranging from classic Rap/Hip-Hop elements to Caribbean rhythms, frenetic electro and diverse instrumentation, while tackling marginalization and racism head-on as Haviah proclaims self-love as a Black woman.
While international touring remains at a standstill as Haviah eagerly awaits to get back on the stage to perform, she is staying creative in the studio and actively advocating for change in the community.
About Haviah Mighty
Haviah Mighty didn’t need to change her birth name when she decided to dedicate her career to music. Mighty could not better describe Haviah’s craft of provocative challenges and uncompromising truths.
Based out of Toronto, Haviah has spent a lifetime developing her skills as a songwriter, vocalist, producer, and performer culminating in a style of profound introspection and incisive socio-political critique. Her dynamic combinations of rap, song, and instrumental, transition seamlessly from hip-hop to soul to afrobeats with a meticulous flow and cadence that transcends any traditional expectation of genre.
2019 saw Haviah earn break-out success with her album, 13th Floor , garnering overwhelming praise from publications such as Pitchfork and Billboard, and making her the first hip-hop artist and the first Black woman to win the Polaris Music Prize, celebrating the “best Canadian album of the year”.
In 2020, the recognition spread internationally. Haviah made an acclaimed appearance on Sway in the Morning, impressing with a performance of immaculate flow and fierce lyricism, “showing you something you NEED to be looking at.” Likewise, in the UK, BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders recognized Haviah as “one of the most exciting new rappers out there.”
2021 might have seen Haviah’s momentum stalled by a certain global pandemic…But for Haviah, attrition is met with defiance, and hardship with inspiration. She describes the enforced solitude of lockdown as not an obstacle, but “a window of immense opportunity” to develop the art that has always been a realization of deep contemplation and self-examination. Haviah pushes forward continuing to carve out spaces that boldly defy gendered expectations for women in hip-hop.
Stay locked in for new projects to challenge, move, and entertain, coming your way soon. Unyielding and irresistible - Haviah Mighty will be heard.
Listen to Antisocial | Watch Antisocial
Listen to Occasion | Watch Occasion
Listen to Atlantic | Watch Atlantic
Listen to 13th Floor here | Purchase 13th Floor on vinyl here
DOWNLOAD – Hi Res Press Photo | DOWNLOAD – Hi Res Antisocial Artwork
