Haviah Mighty

10. Haviah Mighty

Haviah killed it in her all women’s cypher for teambackpack. Ending the year off with her music video for ‘For Free’, she’s coming out with an album dedicated to Brampton called ‘Flower City’ on February 2nd. She also performed at the ‘Holiday Hustle’ event at the Drake underground. We anticipate that this will not only be a massive year for the emcee, but with the new album, it will be a huge year for the Flower City. - The Bramptonist

All eyes are on Toronto right now, but it seems like dudes get most of the rap shine, despite women being integral to the city's hip-hop history. To counter that perception, Team Backpack rounded up four rising Toronto rappers for a cypher timed to International Women's Day.

In the video above, Keysha Freshh, Lex Leosis, Haviah Mighty and pHoenix Pagliacci gather around a mic, bigging each other up and rapping over a blistering loop by Little Sister (a semi-finalist in last year's Battle of the Beatmakers competition). They get fun with it, referencing this crucial scene from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and taking light swipes at their male peers while also touching on crucial feminist issues like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's gender-balanced cabinet and the death of Sandra Bland. "Who said the 6 god couldn't be a woman in some high-tops?" Word. - Fader

In honour of International Women’s Day, TeamBackPack landed in Toronto once again to deliver the second cypher series out of the city, this time featuring four incredible rappers – who just happen to be women. With production from Little Sister, who recently wowed judges at Battle of the Beatmakers, Keysha Fresh, Lex Leosis, Haviah Mighty and pHoenix Pagliacci go bar for bar in this 5-minute video that celebrates more than just our city, but its female spitters too. - Boi-1Da

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" It's a popular Shakespearean quote and one that comes to mind when thinking of Haviah Mighty. She might be small in physical stature but this Brampton native more than makes up for it with her impressive lyrical prowess and irrefutable​ stage presence and energy. She's been making waves with her group The Sorority but Flower City is all about Haviah the solo artist, and she holds it down both singing and rapping her way through the seven tracks that pay homage to her home city. "Westside" is a standout that encompassing everything that this artist does best—rapid fire rhymes and a catchy, singalong hook—but her passion and power throughout the whole EP is undeniable. - Complex Canada

5. Haviah Mighty, Pull Up

The final track on her Flower City EP, Pull Up gives Haviah Mighty the last word, making it both a boast and a challenge to other rappers. The lean song wastes no time by leading with the chorus, and Haviah’s repetition of “pull up” evokes a workout while doubling as a challenge to others to work nearly as hard as she does. - NOW TORONTO