Rapper Madchild will be promoting his new album during a Hip Hop for Hunger show in Maple Ridge.
The Juno award-winner from the Vancouver-based group Swollen Members will be asking his fans to bring along non-perishable food items to the concert on Dec. 16 for the Friends In Need Food Bank.
“We just want to do some things to give back,” he said.
“It’s just a way to bring some positivity and to say thank you for all the support over the years.”
Where It’s At Entertainment started the initiative in 2011 with the idea of bringing the local hip-hop community together to do something positive.
This year, organizer Chelsie Grobins will be holding events in six cities throughout the province.
Madchild’s first seven shows, as he tours the country, will be for Hip Hop for Hunger, as will eight more as he returns west.
The concert at The Haney Public House on Dec. 16 will promote his new album, The Darkest Hour. His first single from the album is called Write It Down.
“I will be playing a couple of tracks from the new album,” said Madchild, including another new song called Broken Record.
“I think it’s nice to introduce a couple of songs right off the bat,” said the artist.
“But play too many that people haven’t heard, or aren’t familiar with or don’t know the words to, it becomes a little too much,” he continued, adding that he will be throwing in older songs that he hasn’t performed in a while.
He will also be performing his most popular hits, including Prefontaine, Monster, Runaway and Devil’s Reject.
The new album was produced in Los Angeles by Evidence, from the group Dilated Peoples.
“This album is very special to me,” said Madchild. “It sort of reflects on a bit of a tough time I went through last year.”
Write It Down is about “staying in your lane” and being yourself.
“It’s no secret that I’m not 25 years old anymore,” he said.
Madchild is a fan of new music.
“I also love where I come from and I love that type of music as well. And that’s just my lane, it’s just who I am and what I’ve always done,” he added.
“If you love the first song you’ll love the last song,” said Madchild.
This is the fifth solo album for the award-winning artist, who is now based in L.A.
It’s been 14 months since his last album.
“This is the first real break I’ve taken and I’m dying to get back on the road,” he said.
“I have all this music ready to go and I’m excited for people to hear it.”
• Madchild will be performing at 8 p.m. on Dec. 16 at The Haney Public House, 22222 Lougheed Hwy. in Maple Ridge. Tickets are $30. For more information, call 604-809-3810 or go to http://haneypub.com.