Innovation, creativity, integrity, and longevity. IXXI is the most auspicious artist collective to emerge from Toronto this year. A team comprised of a handful of talented individuals, all of which govern each fundamental detail of production, design, filmmaking and the team's brand. The hustle is unprecedented compared to any underground hip-hop movement in Toronto right now, as they combine talents and strengths to better showcase each other, including the collective's shining members, rapper Sean Leon and endearing singer, Daniel Caesar. The approach is simple. First, we must recognize the shelf life of any "new" art or news is little to none. Artists and musicians come and go as fast as the hype is created and surpassed by something or someone else. IXXI's "Viva La IXXI" expression to this point, is justified by the quality and respect of the creative endowment within the Hip-Hop establishment. The IXXI philosophy isn't focused in the formula of what should work, it's about breaking down and restructuring the formula by enhancing the intricacies behind what works to surpass average, essentially, to create antiquity elements today, for our future. After Sean Leon released his mixtape, Ninelevenne, The Tragedy last summer, the collective's talented MC continues to push the limits of Toronto's hip-hop scene, transcending his way through the genre and beyond. And with an overwhelming flux of music calling for your attention, IXXI is a movement able to be fully appreciated and backed. After all, you're only as good as your team.
Sean Leon