D-Pryde

Equal parts clever and cool, Canadian rapper D-Pryde came on the scene in 2013 with the EP Canal & Richvale. Born Russell Gilbert Llantino in Mississauga, Ontario but raised in Brampton, Ontario, the rapper kicked his career off with videos uploaded to various sharing sites, then in 2011 he put his talent on wax with the release of his MARS mixtape. After touring Canada opening for J. Cole, D-Pryde was signed to the major label BMG in 2012. A year later, the label released his hit single "Lifted," along with the aforementioned debut EP Canal & Richvale. ~ David Jeffries