The melodic cadence and instrumentation aren't the only abilities that performers in the Canadian rap business bring to the table; they also bring a wealth of other skills. Introducing Daniel Nwosu Jr., better known as Dax, an artist whose journey from Wichita, Kansas, to the worldwide music arena has been marked by a story that is evocative of a cinematic experience. Dax's journey began in Wichita,...

Listening to Arnold J.’s new single, "Muddy Waters," isn't quite like anything else swirling around right now. It arrives with the gentle insistence of incoming tide, pulling you into its specific gravity. Arnold J., Ghanaian-born and now Canada-based, weaves a sound tagged as alt-country and folk, but those labels feel thin, like trying to contain smoke. There’s earthiness, sure, but his soulful vocal lines...