Sean Leon

Toronto, ON – Blessing. An antonym of ‘Tragedy,’ but arguably the most effective noun to identify this up-and-comer within Toronto’s hip-hop scene. With the release of his debut project, Ninelevenne, The Tragedy, Sean Leon has managed to surpass expectations while emancipating us of our overwhelming anticipation. In this thirteen-track mixtape, Sean acquaints us with the pursuit of perfection and its inevitable demise, giving us 50 minutes of his novel new-school sound.

The anticipation for Sean’s first official release has been building across numerous social media sites for the past year. Various appearances and performances across the city prior to the release date, including the official Ninelevenne Release Party, only caused even more eagerness. Much of this yearning can be credited to Sean’s captivating personality and stage presence, but praise must also be given to the entire IXXI! crew. Arriving in style, usually all black everything, transforming a mediocre crowd into a possessed mosh-pit, and creating nothing but hype over Twitter, The IXXI definitely uphold their ‘Viva La IXXI’ slogan. Sean Leon and The IXXI is without a doubt, a desired brand, and something Toronto hip-hop unknowingly needed.

With the help of his crew, Sean dropped the official mixtape cover via Twitter and Instagram on July 21st. The cover is simplistic, allowing all attention to exist around the music. It depicts something that resembles dried white paint strokes on a wall, accompanied by nothing but the parental advisory logo. Almost a Yeezus approach. This was followed by Sean tweeting, “Today nobody cares, but tomorrow they will” the following evening.

Tomorrow came. Finally, on July 23rd at 9:11PM Sean dropped Ninelevenne, The Tragedy via seanleon.com and vivalaixxi.com. Surrounded by intriguing images and GIFs, keeping with the brand’s consistent black and white imagery, the mixtape was even pleasant for the eyes. For the ears however, it did so much more. Ninelevenne, The Tragedy provides bizarre, sultry, smooth productions, often allowing for instrumental breaks and unexpected beat-drops. Toronto’s own Jordan Evans, known for working with major artists such as Eminem, Drake, and Lil Wayne, produced one of the mixtape’s fan favourites “WKWYSF.” Another Toronto talent, Benjamin Foran, can be heard on track six, “Pacific Coast Highway” with a lengthy and beautiful guitar solo. Daniel Caesar, also of The IXXI!, accompanies Sean on two tracks from the mixtape, “Pacific Coast Highway” and “Track Ten.” Daniel’s melodic and soulful vocals on these tracks truly showcase his musical abilities and leave us wanting more from him.

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

Although it is amazing, the production of this mixtape need not stand alone. Sean’s ability to balance his sometimes whisper-like, soft vocals with his provocative lyrics, wise wordplay, and fascinating storytelling is what allows him to be apart of the future. In an industry where its usually one or the other, Sean’s audio truly matches his extravagant stage presence. At times it can feel as though Sean is attacking his listeners through his music, demanding attention and respect through the power his presence alone automatically receives. He is pushing the boundaries of not only Canadian hip-hop, but the hip-hop industry in its entirety. Sean Leon is unique in its purest of forms, but to compare him to some already household names, we would have to mention Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, and the storytelling endowment of Kendrick Lamar.

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

With the release of Ninelevenne, The Tragedy Sean Leon and the entire IXXI crew have added immensely to the steady creation of Toronto’s own hip-hop sound. It is safe to say, this may be one of the best mixtapes we’ve seen thus car from any unsigned Canadian hype. As we listen to The Tragedy on repeat, one cannot help but wait for its sequel, entitled Animal King, set to drop in the Fall. To satisfy the anticipation that comes with waiting until then, Sean will be headlining his first post-mixtape release show this Sunday, July 28th. Put on by The Known Unknown, Sean will be the feature attraction for their 4th year anniversary event!

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

Sean said that he just wants to be special by his birthday in January. HipHopCanada thinks it’s safe to say that you’ve already made a special indent on Toronto’s hip-hop story, and we cannot wait to watch you grow. Sean Leon, you have insured that you will not be forgotten.

Written by Meghan Kemp (@MeghannnEliza) for HipHopCanada
Pictures courtesy of Slash Parker (@SlashParkrMedia). Check out his work here. - Hip Hop Canada

Toronto, ON – Blessing. An antonym of ‘Tragedy,’ but arguably the most effective noun to identify this up-and-comer within Toronto’s hip-hop scene. With the release of his debut project, Ninelevenne, The Tragedy, Sean Leon has managed to surpass expectations while emancipating us of our overwhelming anticipation. In this thirteen-track mixtape, Sean acquaints us with the pursuit of perfection and its inevitable demise, giving us 50 minutes of his novel new-school sound.

The anticipation for Sean’s first official release has been building across numerous social media sites for the past year. Various appearances and performances across the city prior to the release date, including the official Ninelevenne Release Party, only caused even more eagerness. Much of this yearning can be credited to Sean’s captivating personality and stage presence, but praise must also be given to the entire IXXI! crew. Arriving in style, usually all black everything, transforming a mediocre crowd into a possessed mosh-pit, and creating nothing but hype over Twitter, The IXXI definitely uphold their ‘Viva La IXXI’ slogan. Sean Leon and The IXXI is without a doubt, a desired brand, and something Toronto hip-hop unknowingly needed.

With the help of his crew, Sean dropped the official mixtape cover via Twitter and Instagram on July 21st. The cover is simplistic, allowing all attention to exist around the music. It depicts something that resembles dried white paint strokes on a wall, accompanied by nothing but the parental advisory logo. Almost a Yeezus approach. This was followed by Sean tweeting, “Today nobody cares, but tomorrow they will” the following evening.

Tomorrow came. Finally, on July 23rd at 9:11PM Sean dropped Ninelevenne, The Tragedy via seanleon.com and vivalaixxi.com. Surrounded by intriguing images and GIFs, keeping with the brand’s consistent black and white imagery, the mixtape was even pleasant for the eyes. For the ears however, it did so much more. Ninelevenne, The Tragedy provides bizarre, sultry, smooth productions, often allowing for instrumental breaks and unexpected beat-drops. Toronto’s own Jordan Evans, known for working with major artists such as Eminem, Drake, and Lil Wayne, produced one of the mixtape’s fan favourites “WKWYSF.” Another Toronto talent, Benjamin Foran, can be heard on track six, “Pacific Coast Highway” with a lengthy and beautiful guitar solo. Daniel Caesar, also of The IXXI!, accompanies Sean on two tracks from the mixtape, “Pacific Coast Highway” and “Track Ten.” Daniel’s melodic and soulful vocals on these tracks truly showcase his musical abilities and leave us wanting more from him.

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

Although it is amazing, the production of this mixtape need not stand alone. Sean’s ability to balance his sometimes whisper-like, soft vocals with his provocative lyrics, wise wordplay, and fascinating storytelling is what allows him to be apart of the future. In an industry where its usually one or the other, Sean’s audio truly matches his extravagant stage presence. At times it can feel as though Sean is attacking his listeners through his music, demanding attention and respect through the power his presence alone automatically receives. He is pushing the boundaries of not only Canadian hip-hop, but the hip-hop industry in its entirety. Sean Leon is unique in its purest of forms, but to compare him to some already household names, we would have to mention Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, and the storytelling endowment of Kendrick Lamar.

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

With the release of Ninelevenne, The Tragedy Sean Leon and the entire IXXI crew have added immensely to the steady creation of Toronto’s own hip-hop sound. It is safe to say, this may be one of the best mixtapes we’ve seen thus car from any unsigned Canadian hype. As we listen to The Tragedy on repeat, one cannot help but wait for its sequel, entitled Animal King, set to drop in the Fall. To satisfy the anticipation that comes with waiting until then, Sean will be headlining his first post-mixtape release show this Sunday, July 28th. Put on by The Known Unknown, Sean will be the feature attraction for their 4th year anniversary event!

Sean Leon's debut project: Ninelevenne, The Tragedy [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

Sean said that he just wants to be special by his birthday in January. HipHopCanada thinks it’s safe to say that you’ve already made a special indent on Toronto’s hip-hop story, and we cannot wait to watch you grow. Sean Leon, you have insured that you will not be forgotten.

Written by Meghan Kemp (@MeghannnEliza) for HipHopCanada
Pictures courtesy of Slash Parker (@SlashParkrMedia). Check out his work here. - Hip Hop Canada

Toronto, ON – With so many artists coming out of Toronto, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. But, for young rapper and producer, Sean Leon, he sees this as the perfect opportunity to do something completely different with his sound and overall image and brand. Catching the attention of many with his abrasive lyrical content and edgy live performances, Sean is quickly claiming the ‘Leader of the New School’ title in Toronto’s urban music scene. After years of not getting the recognition he wanted and felt like he deserved, Sean came up with a plan, a plan that he hopes will catapult him to a new level of success. With the help of his artist collective, The iXXi Sean has thrown everything you know about hip-hop from Toronto out the window and is creating a new culture that sets him apart from the rest.

His debut mixtape, Ninelevenne, The Tragedy, which was released on July 23rd is a small sample of his musical creativity and what is to come from a guy who’s as wild just as much as he is well-spoken and intelligent. Sean is carefully setting the stage for himself and the rest of the iXXi crew, but watch out, because they’ll probably tear that shit down and make a mess when you least expect it!

HipHopCanada had the opportunity to speak with Sean Leon recently where he opened up about his journey thus far, his perspective on music, life as an artist in Toronto, his team and his new project. Check out the full interview after the jump!

Sean Leon: If I can't be your friend, than I'm going to be your enemy [Interview] - HipHopCanada.com


Sean Leon: Q&A
Written by Natasha Paolini for HipHopCanada

HipHopCanada: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

Sean Leon: No problem, I’m just happy to have the opportunity.

HipHopCanada: First things first, when did you start taking a career in hip-hop seriously?

Sean Leon: That would have been… right now. I’ve been rapping for awhile and I had a couple of mixtapes out under a different name. But, I never really looked at it as a career (even though I thought I could always do it), or that something I need to really put a lot of attention into. It was kind of something I was just doing as a hobbie. Then I started to think about life and where I wanted to be, you know, these things that I wanted and things that I wanted to do and I realized to obtain these things, music was the key. So probably late last year I decided to make this my career and that this is what I’m going to do for the next 10 to 15 years, before I get to old and it’s just corny. I have an exit strategy already but I’d say probably say mid last year, in 2012 I decided to really pursue this thing all out.

HipHopCanada: Did you give up something to pursue this?

Sean Leon: Yeah, I played ball first. I know it’s probably so cliché, but I was a baller first. And I was pretty good, I could have gone D1. A lot of my family was rooting for me to play ball, then I started making music and there was just a whole different type of rush. I just fell in love with it, and I kind of started cheating on ball. I remember actually the day I told everybody that I’m not going to do this anymore, I’m going to start rapping – they thought I lost my mind, which I might of. So, if I wasn’t rapping I’d probably still be doing that. I just weighed out my options again, and I figured you know what yeah I might go D1, or high D2, but then after that what would I be doing? I’d probably be working a 9 to 5 the rest of my life or coming back and working at a local gas station, and I don’t want that for myself. I figured with music I’m able to be creative and get into other lanes, such as business ventures and that type of stuff. So, that’s why I leaned towards music in the end.

HipHopCanada: Those elements that you just pointed, the business ventures and what not. Is that what appeals to you the most or are there other things that appeal to you?

Sean Leon: Well, the art itself, is the most important thing to me – the creative process is the most fun. I was actually thinking about that recently ‘What do I enjoy the most?’ and it came down to either performing or the creative process. But, I just really like locking myself in the studio and being in there, 7, 8 hours a day and seeing what I can come up and then comparing it to what I created yesterday and trying to build on that the next day. I just want to leave something; when I’m gone I want people to have something that can attribute to my name. So, creation is the best and most exciting part. But, with the whole music thing we have going on and what I’m trying to build with my team, it’s not really a traditional way we’re going. I don’t even want a record deal; I’d rather have a publishing deal or a distribution deal and be independent. I’m trying to build something a little different.

Sean Leon: If I can't be your friend, than I'm going to be your enemy [Interview] - HipHopCanada.com

HipHopCanada: Dope, dope. Do - Hip Hop Canada

Toronto, ON – With so many artists coming out of Toronto, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. But, for young rapper and producer, Sean Leon, he sees this as the perfect opportunity to do something completely different with his sound and overall image and brand. Catching the attention of many with his abrasive lyrical content and edgy live performances, Sean is quickly claiming the ‘Leader of the New School’ title in Toronto’s urban music scene. After years of not getting the recognition he wanted and felt like he deserved, Sean came up with a plan, a plan that he hopes will catapult him to a new level of success. With the help of his artist collective, The iXXi Sean has thrown everything you know about hip-hop from Toronto out the window and is creating a new culture that sets him apart from the rest.

His debut mixtape, Ninelevenne, The Tragedy, which was released on July 23rd is a small sample of his musical creativity and what is to come from a guy who’s as wild just as much as he is well-spoken and intelligent. Sean is carefully setting the stage for himself and the rest of the iXXi crew, but watch out, because they’ll probably tear that shit down and make a mess when you least expect it!

HipHopCanada had the opportunity to speak with Sean Leon recently where he opened up about his journey thus far, his perspective on music, life as an artist in Toronto, his team and his new project. Check out the full interview after the jump!

Sean Leon: If I can't be your friend, than I'm going to be your enemy [Interview] - HipHopCanada.com


Sean Leon: Q&A
Written by Natasha Paolini for HipHopCanada

HipHopCanada: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

Sean Leon: No problem, I’m just happy to have the opportunity.

HipHopCanada: First things first, when did you start taking a career in hip-hop seriously?

Sean Leon: That would have been… right now. I’ve been rapping for awhile and I had a couple of mixtapes out under a different name. But, I never really looked at it as a career (even though I thought I could always do it), or that something I need to really put a lot of attention into. It was kind of something I was just doing as a hobbie. Then I started to think about life and where I wanted to be, you know, these things that I wanted and things that I wanted to do and I realized to obtain these things, music was the key. So probably late last year I decided to make this my career and that this is what I’m going to do for the next 10 to 15 years, before I get to old and it’s just corny. I have an exit strategy already but I’d say probably say mid last year, in 2012 I decided to really pursue this thing all out.

HipHopCanada: Did you give up something to pursue this?

Sean Leon: Yeah, I played ball first. I know it’s probably so cliché, but I was a baller first. And I was pretty good, I could have gone D1. A lot of my family was rooting for me to play ball, then I started making music and there was just a whole different type of rush. I just fell in love with it, and I kind of started cheating on ball. I remember actually the day I told everybody that I’m not going to do this anymore, I’m going to start rapping – they thought I lost my mind, which I might of. So, if I wasn’t rapping I’d probably still be doing that. I just weighed out my options again, and I figured you know what yeah I might go D1, or high D2, but then after that what would I be doing? I’d probably be working a 9 to 5 the rest of my life or coming back and working at a local gas station, and I don’t want that for myself. I figured with music I’m able to be creative and get into other lanes, such as business ventures and that type of stuff. So, that’s why I leaned towards music in the end.

HipHopCanada: Those elements that you just pointed, the business ventures and what not. Is that what appeals to you the most or are there other things that appeal to you?

Sean Leon: Well, the art itself, is the most important thing to me – the creative process is the most fun. I was actually thinking about that recently ‘What do I enjoy the most?’ and it came down to either performing or the creative process. But, I just really like locking myself in the studio and being in there, 7, 8 hours a day and seeing what I can come up and then comparing it to what I created yesterday and trying to build on that the next day. I just want to leave something; when I’m gone I want people to have something that can attribute to my name. So, creation is the best and most exciting part. But, with the whole music thing we have going on and what I’m trying to build with my team, it’s not really a traditional way we’re going. I don’t even want a record deal; I’d rather have a publishing deal or a distribution deal and be independent. I’m trying to build something a little different.

Sean Leon: If I can't be your friend, than I'm going to be your enemy [Interview] - HipHopCanada.com

HipHopCanada: Dope, dope. Do - Hip Hop Canada