Ev Thompson

Live interview and Live in Studio Performance on CTV Morning Live by Ev Thompson - CTV Television

on February 11th, 2019, Ev Thompson's song '3Peat' was chosen to compete on the Lord Sear Special segment 'Demo Battle' on Eminem's station Shade 45 - Shade 45

Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon artist Cquel recently teamed up with Rel McCoy (aka: Relic) and Kurlz to hit us with this new song release titled “Memory Lane.”

This song comes to us as an exclusive release available to anyone who has purchased Cquel’s recently released Never Enough project (available over here). Those who purchase the album receive a digital copy of the five listed tracks, as well as 10 other exclusive singles and remixes to be released throughout the duration of 2016.

“Memory Lane” is a heavy reflection on modern day society. As Cquel explained to me, “The concept of the song is something I came up with. As one of the older cats in the game, and as a father of a teenager, I often find myself reflecting on how fast the world changed- and how fast people have changed as we get deeper and deeper into the age of the Internet. Rel and I have had many conversations over the past couple years about the music business and it almost always rolls into some real life talk. So when Kurlz and I started writing this one I knew I had to get Rel involved too.”

From there, Cquel ended up sharing his idea with Kurlz, who penned his own verse in on the song. Cquel actually recorded this with Factor; an OG producer from Saskatchewan who’s been making waves for years. Then they showed the track to Relic, who threw the hook in on the song.

“I told Kurlz one night that I was writing a song about my frustrations with how we’ve become such a heartless yet sensitive society, and how that doesn’t even make sense, but analyzing the world we live in, makes all the sense in the world. He seemed to understand and relate so I asked him to get involved. From there I called Relic and just said I had something I think he’d want to sing on. And he said send it over. Factor recorded it for me shortly after and next thing you know, Memory Lane was born. So basically, I put my vision into words with verse one and three, and presented that to Kurlz. He wrote his piece, and then the bridge was just a summary of my emotions on the subject that I rattled off the top of my head in the booth. Rel didn’t write ’til he heard what we put on it. And dude was inspired to put together a really nice chorus. We’re three MC’s that individually have a catalogue of emotional songs to go along with our more lyrical bravado type tracks. We all grew up in a similar generation of hip-hop, and we’re all trying to make a living from our passion, so I knew it would be a nice fit.”

And I think that so perfectly sums up why I love this track. A lot of the new wave rap we’ve been hearing has a huge emphasis on bravado and braggadocio. Emotions and feelings are hard to articulate for many rappers nowadays. That being said, this song doesn’t go into Drake-y feelings territory, either. Rather, it serves as a critical emotionally-driven commentary on the state of the world and the age of the Internet.

As far as the beat goes, I noticed the production was credited to Cquel. So I asked him about it and he explained that the beat was composed by his fellow Saskatooner Chief Beats. Cquel took the stems from the beat and took them to the studio to craft up this beat.

“As far as production on “Memory Lane”, I funded, structured and put this song together. The beat was composed by a Saskatoon beat maker I’ve worked a fair bit with named Chief Beats. Chief showed me the beat about a year ago while he and I were touring with Dragon Fli Empire. I dug it up this past winter, proposed some changes and structured the track. He came up with a nice false ending, and I took the stems to the studio to build this song. I made all my own beats for years. These days I’ve shifted my focus to song writing and learning the business side of the music. Being a self-managed artist that is effectively moving forward in this business isn’t easy. But I’m too hands-on to wanna pass the management role off to someone while I’m still making it work.” - Hip Hop Canada

Video: Interview and in studio performance of new single 'King' - CTV Morning Live

TV interview with CTV Morning Live - CTV News

Cquel graces the cover of The Saskatoon Express...

Week of March 20th, 2017 - Saskatoon Express Newspaper

Cquel on Shaw TV - Shaw TV

Video for the first single from Cquel’s new album, Aud Man Out – pre-order now, drops April 13. Song produced by Brahm Enslin. - UGSMAG

Print Version of Prince Albert Daily Herald - Prince Albert Daily Herald

GLOBAL NEWS MORNING SASKATOON
December 30 2015 9:22am 04:17

Hip hop artist ‘Cquel’ performs

Wed, Dec 30 – Saskatoon hip hop artist “Cquel” is in studio to talk about his recent record and performs for us. - Global TV

Cquel - Canadian MC Wants it All
by SaskMusic

February 25, 2016 in Artist News

How much is enough? Ask Saskatchewan born rapper Cquel that question and his answer is simple - there's never enough. That's also the title of the new record Cquel will release Friday, February 26th. In October 2014 Cquel released an EP produced by Toronto hip-hop veteran Relic. 'Never Enough' is the follow-up to that project, and this time production comes from a collective of Saskatchewan producers. Most notably it contains production, and was recorded and mixed in it's entirity, by one of Canada's most prolific producers- Factor Chandelier.

Cquel says 'Never Enough' describes a feeling, one that he has felt in a variety of situations. Such as when his confidence has been at it's peak, and he wouldn't settle for his accomplishments, but wanted more; and also in his most vulnerable moments when anything he did felt like it was never enough. The collection of songs touches on a variety of Cquel's experiences with love, substance abuse, and mental illness; and also contains tracks for hip-hop purists that put his lyrical bravado as an MC on display.

The 7 song EP takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster throughout. It features additional vocals from the familiar voices of Rel McCoy and Kirby Dominant, and mastering duties come courtesy of Vancouver's Jamie Kuse, so you know each song received quality treatment. As a bonus, when listeners purchase 'Never Enough' on CD or buy their digital version on bandcamp, Cquel will reward them with 10 new tracks that are exclusively downloadable for people that buy one of those formats. He will send out one song per month from late March 2016 to December 2016. 5 will be remixes from 'Never Enough' and 5 will be new music recorded at Chandelier Studios, featuring a number of artists within Cquel's circle. Take a look at some of the artists he has toured and made music with in the past if you want to take an educated guess at who some of the featured artists may be.

In a day and age when the world is flooded with entertainers vying for the publics attention,Cquel wants it all. Follow Cquel on social media @cquelmc, and purchase your copy of 'Never Enough' at cquelmc.bandcamp.com. - SaskMusic

TV feature on Shaw TV to promo 'Embrace The Dark' video and 'Never Enough' album in Feb.2016 - Shaw TV

Frequently-featured artist Cquel has dropped a new song, “Fifty Four,” an ode to both the struggles associated with choosing to be an independent rapper and the happiness he finds from following his lifelong passion and doing things his way. Some standout lyrics include:

“Some things come complicated, some things we complicate. Sometimes rather than concentrate we compromise ourselves and contemplate taking an easier route and hope we catch a break. Some cats just see your hard work, and try to ride your wave.”
The song was produced by Brahm Enslin and Cquel, mixed by Factor, and mastered by Abstract Artform. - Say Hey There Music

Straight outta Saskatoon, Cquel is gearing up for the release of his new release with a video for Embrace The Dark.
Cquel exhibits a strong emotional flow on the first single taken from his forthcoming new release titled Never Enough. Due to drop on the 26th February Never Enough was recorded with Factor Chandelier whose collaborative work has seen him team up with Ceschi Ramos for the fantastic Broken Bone Ballads which dropped last year.

The new album is formed of seven tracks with Embrace The Dark fitting in the fifth slot on the tracklisting. Head on over to bandcamp now to pre-order and for a special deal on physical copies.



About Cquel – Cquel is a hip hop artist from Canada with a veteran presence on the mic. Cquel’s live performance is impressive. He has the ability to take you on an emotional ride, touching you with deep tracks, and then making you lose all inhibitions and want to dance on the next track. A rarity amongst todays rap acts, Cquel sings and raps, and has few expletives in his music. He recently received one on one live performance coaching from Tom Jackson who has also coached Lecrae, Taylor Swift, and more. - The Unheard Nerd

Canadian-rapper Cquel has dropped a new bonus track (available as a free download exclusively to those who purchased his Never Enough EP) entitled “Respect the Elements – Rejuvenated.”

An ode to classic hip hop and those who influenced Cquel when he was coming of age, “Rejuvenated” focuses on respecting hip-hop culture and history and paying homage to those who paved the way for today’s up-and-comers.

A remake of a track he made in 2012, “Rejuvenated” — true to its name — has been reinvented with a new beat and hook. With the controversy surrounding what is “real hip hop” today and what is respectful to the culture, Cquel decided to resurrect the song. - Say Hey There Music

Soupe de cire : Cquel – Never Enough

En plus de toutes ses qualités ce Never Enough m’aura permis de taffer ma géographie et de découvrir la ville canadienne de Saskatoon ! Blague à part, Cquel claque un chouette EP hybride avec un flow bien cool et un Factor Chandelier derrière tout ça ! A suivre de prés aussi ! - LA SOUPE DE SON (France)

Cquel (Evan Thompson) is a hip hop artist from Canada who has shared stages with the likes of Sweatshop Union, Factor Chandelier, and Abstract Artform and whose most recent EP entitled Meal Ticket was entirely produced by Juno award winning producer Relic (Shad, Ghetto Concept). Listen to Meal Ticket’s “Unscripted,” remixed by Saskatoon-based beat maker Fabric. The original version was recorded and released with Relic in October 2014.

Cquel is currently wrapping up a new album, Never Enough, with Factor Chandelier slated to drop on February 26. - Say Hey There Music

Saskatoon, SK – Cquel recently released a new single on us titled “Unscripted” off his most recent October 2014 EP entitled Meal Ticket. The track (and entire EP – for the record) was produced by Relic – who y’all know is amongst the finest Canadian producers/rappers/he actually does everything on the scene right now.

This single is a floaty cloud rap jumble about Cquel’s perseverance through his unpredictable “Unscripted” life: “Most dudes will probably mail it in/ I weather the storm/ And face the wind/ Eventually sunny skies will turn to grey/ But that’s cool, man/ ‘Cause I’m okay.” Check it out below.



Cquel - Unscripted [Audio] - HipHopCanada.com


In keeping with this whole “Unscripted” business, it seems as though the song itself was more-or-less unscripted. I could be wrong, but I feel like Cquel didn’t stress too much over the structure of this track. Instead, the track comes across as a necessary tell-all that Cquel had to get off his chest.

Make sure you keep your ear to the ground on Cquel. He’s kicking off 2015 with a Western Canadian tour alongside Evil Ebenezer and Factor. So if you live in Western Canada, put that on your to-do list. - Hip Hop Canada

The first single off of the Never Enough EP (pre-order, releases Feb 26), from Saskatoon’s Cquel, produced by Chief Beats. Video by Dilly Bat Productions. - UGS.Mag

Hip hop artist ‘Cquel’ performs

Wed, Dec 30 – Saskatoon hip hop artist “Cquel” is in studio to talk about his recent record and performs for us. - Global Television

Cquel is a Canadian hip hop artist hailing from Saskatoon. He is currently touring the U.S. with Knoah, Abstract Rude and Scarub. Knoah is with the Calgary based rap group The Random Humans and he and Factor Chandelier just released a single with Cquel titled “Free My Soul.” Check out the single and my interview with Cquel and Noah below!


OG: So, what have you been up to lately?

Cquel: Well, I just released a new single with my boy Knoah called ‘Free My Soul‘, and we released it on the first date of this current tour we are on. The Keep The Feel/Want For Nothing tour with Abstract Rude and Scarub … We recorded the song with our homie Factor Chandelier, whom I also just finished recording my next solo record with called ‘Never Enough’ — that one should see release later this year and features the homie from Toronto, Rel McCoy and homie from Oakland, Kirby Dominant also did a song with me while he was in Saskatoon recording some new stuff with Factor G.

Knoah: Just working on music man, this new song with Cquel is the newest and the tour with these guys. Also still pushing the last album ‘Kamikaze’ with my group The Random Humans.

OG: General inspirations for how you live your life?

Cquel: For me really it’s family and happiness in general. Hip-hop is a full time thing for me, and bein daddy to my kids is a full-time job too right. I guess just living my life in a way that makes me happy, sets what I think is a good example for my kids, and chasing my passion is really my inspiration.

Knoah: Word, just trying to pursue my dreams. To be honest I’ve really become inspired by the business side of the music. Learning from other entrepreneurs, and strategizing how to make it to the next level.

OG: How much time per day do you spend on music?

Cquel: You could really say I never stop, every second of my life is somehow reflected in the songs I write. I freestyle daily — but do I write songs or record everyday? No, there’s not enough time for that when you tour as often as I’ve been and raise kids at home. So that’s a tough one to answer.

OG: Can you tell us about your artistic process please. Pot? Patting cats? Pacing?

Knoah: I grew up in a pretty hippy family so herb was always present in my life. Through that I’ve always found inspiration, I don’t have to be stoned to create, but I enjoy it.

Cquel: Artistic process varies for me. I usually am at my best early mornings or the middle of the night. Whether it’s planning live show stuff or creating songs. On the freestyle tip, early morning when the brain is fresh I’m on fire, at the shows I usually crush a redbull to stimulate the mind … Patting cats, I’m allergic but I love pussy, hahaha.

OG: Any advice for someone who would like to do something creative for a living?

Knoah: Network.

Cquel: Ya, he nailed it! Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid of hard work, and instead of sitting at home on your computer posting song after song and wondering why no ones making it easy for you — get in front or REAL people and pay your dues.

OG: How do you feel about edibles?

Knoah: Delicious.

Cquel: I could eat …

OG: How much coffee is too much coffee?

Knoah: My dad drinks three cups a day — that shits crazy haha, I don’t drink it unless I’m bagged.

Cquel: My days don’t start without coffee, and yo, 2-3 cups? I’m bout that.

OG: What hip hop tracks come to mind when you think about drugs?

Cquel: The whole Nocturnal album by Heltah Skeltah, and the first Grave Diggaz album both tripped me out when I was playing with psychedelic drugs as a kid. Nocturnal is an all time fave for me.

Knoah: Dip by Danny Brown.



OG: What songs never fail to make you dance?

Knoah: Watch me nae nae …

Cquel: Oh boy, hahaha …

OG: What’s a groupie?

Knoah: Stage 5 clinger

Cquel: It’s all love.

OG: What do you think the secrets to happiness are?

Cquel: As my boy Kurlz would say–live your life … for me, having faith and following my dreams is key.

Knoah: Simply being grateful everyday for what you have

OG: How important are beauty, money and fashion?

Cquel: Good rap question haha! Beauty, I like pretty ladies, and I mean–I like to look good and I’m happy with what I’m workin’ with … Money, well as long as I have enough to pay my bills and not stress too much about money that’s the extent of that. But yooo, if Drake wants to cosign a brother and sprinkle some cash on my career I’m not mad at it! Fashion, I’m a rapper so I gotta look fresh as I can, but I don’t have the paper these days to have all the killa threads–but yo, as long as my kicks and hat game are tight I’ll rock the shit out of a white T and some old jeans!

Knoah: Hahaha, I got no style, I’m ugly, and I’m broke as shit!

OG: Anyone you’d love to work on a project with?

Cquel: I’ve already achieved working with a few of the guys I aspired to record with. My boy Relic, who has credits on Juno award winner Shads albums, he produced my EP ‘Meal Ticket’. And this new record ‘Never Enough’ has production from Factor Chandelier and beats from the homies Chief, Fabric and Brahm. And of course big Knoah!

I’m a big fan of the Freestyle Fellowship, Living Legends and project blowed. Me and Self Jupiter have done a song together, and I’d love to get something poppin’ with more of those guys.

Knoah: Too many to count really. I’ve been fortunate enough to tour with legends like KRS One, Tech N9ne, Kool Keith, Living Legends, Abstract Rude and many more. There’s so many artists I’d like to work with and I’m sure I’ll get a chance to work with some of them.

OG: Women you think are amazing?

Cquel: My moms first and foremost. My grandma. And on a hip-hop tip, Zane One is a rapper I’ve been a fan of for years, she’s a really dope mc from Cali.

Knoah: Every women in my family is dope.

OG: What advice would you give to your 19-year-old self?

Knoah: Quit being such a fuck up would be good advice I could’ve gotten back then.

Cquel: Ya I’d wanna take it back to about 16 and advise myself to quit being such a meathead.

OG: How many cats are too many cats, for one human to live with?

Cquel: As a kid we had five in my house once, that was wack, I’m allergic soooo ya man.

Knoah: I hate cats.

OG: Where do you think Stoner Heaven is?

Cquel: This is one for Knoah, whatchu think bro?

Knoah: Anywhere there’s good weed man.

OG: Where should stoners visit in your city?

Cquel: In my hometown of Saskatoon, we have some beautiful parks and downtown is dope. I say just hit the block and stimulate your mind.

Knoah: My crib, call 1-(800) Knoahs-got-the-bomb-shit.

OG: What do you want in return for dedicating your life to music?

Cquel: People to listen, that’s all I can ask really.

OG: What’s next for you?

Cquel: Well, as of today, Knoah and I are 2 shows into this 16 show tour out here on the west coast of the U.S., my new record and release tour are the next big move. Some new videos will be on the way soon in support of that too. And while all that’s coming together Knoah and I will be working on some new stuff together, and I have some side projects coming together with some homies at home too.

Thanks for your time and best wishes on your tour boys!

You can find Cquel on tour and on Instagram and Twitter.

Toke it easy,

Onya G. - Stoner Girls Guide

Life’s Unscripted, but if you look hard enough there’s always a positive to take from a negative situation. Newest release from Canadian hip-hop artist Cquel, the Fabric Remix of Unscripted.

Go to cquelmc.com to download free.

Connect with Cquel

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cquelmc

Facebook: http://facebook.com/cquelmc

Instagram: http://instagram.com/cquelmc - That's Dope Media

Off the lot, into the studio
BY SEAN TREMBATH, THE STARPHOENIX NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Cquel has been recording rap songs for 15 years, but it was only seven months ago he decided to make it his meal ticket.

The Saskatoon-based MC, born Evan Thompson, had been selling cars to put food on the table. He was good at it, making almost six figures a year. But it wasn’t him.

“I woke up every morning, put on a suit and put on that mask,” he says.

The decision to quit wasn’t easy. The life of an underground rap artist is not often lucrative. And Thompson has three daughters.

When he put in his resignation, some of the reactions surprised him. His younger co-workers thought he was crazy, which he expected, but the older ones — guys with two or three decades on the lot — told him he was doing the right thing. They knew how easy it is to end up stuck.

Looking back, Thompson says he definitely made the right choice. He has released a new EP, Meal Ticket, and has already written another album’s worth of material.

“I’ve definitely started to discover who I really am now that I’m doing it full time,” he says.

Written while he was mulling his decision, Meal Ticket shows the difficulty Thompson was going through. His hunger comes through as he raps about indecisiveness, financial instability and the overwhelming desire to make something of himself.

“I’m not afraid to put anything out there,” he says.

The album benefits from rock-solid production from Relic the Oddity, an Ontario-based beat-maker with credits on the last three albums from Polaris-nominated Shad. Thompson slept in Relic’s basement over the four-day recording process and spent the rest of the time in his in-house studio.

“It was a one-stop shop,” Thompson says. Spending time with the producer, who has been in the industry well over a decade, taught Thompson a lot.

“He became one of the guys who really educated me,” he says.

With the album recorded Thompson got down to touring. A summer tour with local MC Factor took him all over Western Canada and he has filled his time with as many other shows as he can get. He has done more than 50 dates this year, and hopes to double that in 2015.

He knows that at 34, he’s a lot older than most who decide to drop everything and pursue the dream. He jokes about being told not to discuss his age. At the same time, he feels his work is better than it has ever been.

“I needed that time to develop my craft,” he says.

Even though not everyone in his family fully supported his choice to go full-time, he wants his children to see that they can pursue their dreams, whatever that may be.

“I’ve kind of tried to show them there’s no shame in going after what you want,” Thompson says.

There’s uncertainty. He knows he might never make the big time.

“I don’t ever think you really know. I know where I want to be. I don’t necessarily know where I’m going to be,” he says.

His sights are set skyward. He has seen the type of lifestyle underground Canadian rappers like Mad Child have achieved, and isn’t afraid to aspire to that or more.

“Why not me?” he asks.

Wherever his path goes, he is enjoying the ride.

“I’m a full-time artist. I’m living the dream.” - Bridges Magazine (StarPhoenix print and digital)

Cquel (Evan Thompson) is a hip hop artist from Canada who has shared stages with the likes of Sweatshop Union, Factor Chandelier, and Abstract Artform and whose most recent EP entitled Meal Ticket was entirely produced by Juno award winning producer Relic (Shad, Ghetto Concept). Listen to Meal Ticket’s “Unscripted,” remixed by Saskatoon-based beat maker Fabric. The original version was recorded and released with Relic in October 2014.

Cquel is currently wrapping up a new album, Never Enough, with Factor Chandelier slated to drop on February 26. - Say Hey There Music

New track from Saskatoon’s Cquel, produced by Knoah of Calgary’s Random Humans. Catch them on tour right now with Abstract Rude and Scarub. - UGS.MAG

Straight outta Saskatoon, Cquel is gearing up for the release of his new release with a video for Embrace The Dark.
Cquel exhibits a strong emotional flow on the first single taken from his forthcoming new release titled Never Enough. Due to drop on the 26th February Never Enough was recorded with Factor Chandelier whose collaborative work has seen him team up with Ceschi Ramos for the fantastic Broken Bone Ballads which dropped last year.

The new album is formed of seven tracks with Embrace The Dark fitting in the fifth slot on the tracklisting. Head on over to bandcamp now to pre-order and for a special deal on physical copies.

About Cquel – Cquel is a hip hop artist from Canada with a veteran presence on the mic. Cquel’s live performance is impressive. He has the ability to take you on an emotional ride, touching you with deep tracks, and then making you lose all inhibitions and want to dance on the next track. A rarity amongst todays rap acts, Cquel sings and raps, and has few expletives in his music. He recently received one on one live performance coaching from Tom Jackson who has also coached Lecrae, Taylor Swift, and more. - The Unheard Nerd

Remix by Saskatoon based beat maker Fabric, for a track from Cquel’s Meal Ticket EP. Download the EP for free at cquelmc.bandcamp.com. Cquel is also giving away a pair of headphones you can enter to win here: gleam.io/GB3uT/cquels-audio-technica-headphone-giveaway

cquelmc.com
@CquelMC - UGS.MAG

Video: Cquel - "Embrace the Dark"

The first single off the 'Never Enough' ep, available Feb.26/2016. Receive instant download of this song when you pre-order Never enough here: https://cquelmc.bandcamp.com/. Also with purchase of the CD or digital album on bandcamp you will receive 10 EXCLUSIVE SONGS FREE throughout 2016. - Rap Reviews

@@@ Cquel: Meal Ticket (Independent, 2014). The surefire move if you’re looking to cleanse your palette from self-indulgent, existential white rock ‘n roll stoners is some black music. I can not tell the skin color of the MC, he sounds like the lovechild of Snoop Dogg and Eminem — equal parts and how ugly would that baby? Yikers. Nice waves of wah wah guitar, a superlative and well sampled bass drum. The beats are without a coast — neither West Coast jeep or East Coast NYC style — but high quality. It turns out that Mr. Cquel is Caucasian, which is not indicative of quality. Solid beats, some wide bass, tointable scratchin’, and some dirty organ/keyboard action. - The Cross Pollinator

The year was 1995 and rap music was all the rage. Raekwon was releasing one of the finest albums of a generation with Built for Cuban Linx, Tupac, one year away from his death was at his very best with his release Me Against the World. And closer to home, a rapper who would go by the name Cquel MC was picking up the pen and pad for the first time. For awhile he wrote rhymes and freestyle at parties. Eventually though he would acquire the tools of his trade and began making songs described at gangster- jazz-funk infused beats with a raw, emotional warmth that would become his signature. In May of 2013 he released a 10 track LP called Dirty Thirties, and next week he is bringing his talents to Louis' Pub where he will be opening for Josh Martinez - Verb News NOV 8-14 2013

Ev Thompson sits in for an interview at CTV Morning Live, followed by a live in studio performance - CTV News