Tachichi is a Halifax Hip Hop legend whose resume is as superb and as big as his talent, with his fingers in everything from writing to production to video directing. Tachichi has released 11 albums to date and played hundreds of live shows across Canada and the U.S. While much of his previous catalogue has been alongside Canadian producer and DJ Moves over the last 20 years, Tachichi has also released music with just about every influential and celebrated hip hop artist from the land of the maple leaf, including Buck 65, Classified, Quake Matthews, Ghettosocks, Skratch Bastid, Snak the Ripper, and countless others.
Tachichi introduces the Sipset crew with his new solo album, Chico’s ’90s Project, which is an homage to the Golden Age of hip hop containing plenty of references to – and excerpts from – entertaining TV shows and movies from the ’90s! The production is top tier, with beats by ChanHays, Ghettosocks, The Dirty Sample, Uncle Fester, Gordski, Sean-One, and DJ Moves. Tachichi combines his unique flow, one of the best Canada has to offer, with unforgettable lyrics and catchy hooks, ensuring Chico’s ’90s Project is sure to resonate through the culture for a long time to come, much like the other classic albums that have come before it.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Tachichi about influences, motivations, challenges, the latest project and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Who is Tachichi? Where are you from?
Hi, I’m Tachichi. An unstoppable force of rapping power personified in the form of a gorgeous light skin ‘g’ from Halifax, Nova Scotia!!
What style of music do you create? What attracted you to this genre or style?
I make a style of hiphop that blends consciousness with creativity and versatility! I always want to explore different avenues in hiphop and continuously come up with something new!
Who or what influences your rapping?
My crew, my friends and family and my chip on my shoulder!
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
I’ve been making music for 21 years. Since I was 17 and now I’m 38, a long time. LOL
What motivates you to keep going?
I am motivated knowing that I can still rap just as good as anybody I am listening to in this country. Hiphop is my love and passion. I do not need money or love from the public for that.
Why should people listen to Tachichi?
People should listen to Tachichi so they can listen to something that doesn’t sound like a pre-schooler mumbling himself to sleep over the most repetitive two keyboard sounds you hear all the time!
What is your new release? How is it different from the previous ones?
My new release is called Chico’s ‘90s Project, and I want to bring back the fun and thoughtfulness that came with rap albums in that decade. Rap was the best in the ’90,s so the idea was easy for me. This album sonically sounds better than a lot of my other stuff and I’m taking its release a little more seriously than other times in the past. approaching the business side a little more carefully.
Did you set out to accomplish anything specific with this album?
WORLD DOMINANCE!
Where is the best place to connect with you online? And to discover more of your music?
I have a Tachichi Soundcloud page and I am in the middle of creating a new SIPSET website that you can find merch and albums on. This new release will be on Hand’Solo Records and SIPSET Music.
Twitter: Tachichiscotia
Instagram: tachichi902
Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I prefer Bandcamp, personally, because I’m in more control selling my own merchandise!
What about vinyl, CDs, and MP3s?
I prefer vinyl. Love CDs as a collector but mostly listen to mp3s.
As an indie musician in the digital age, how does the technology help and how does it hinder your art and career?
The digital age enables us to get our music out to more avenues and a broader range of fans around the world, so in that way I think it’s a great thing!! I think it hinders our art form and culture because it enables any lame ass person to be heard or seen whether they are skilled or not and somehow make a name for themselves!
What are your other biggest challenges in attracting an audience to your music?
Right now is the age of the mumble rap and rappers not saying a god damn thing in their lyrics. Most of them aren’t evolved enough to address any political and social issues and are rich beyond their dreams after their first single so there is no incentive for them to even try to tackle these issues!
What was the last song you listened to?
The last song I listened to was my own! It’s called “Be Sure”. Track 11 off of Chico’s ’90s Project.
Do you tour or play live? Where can music lovers find out where to see you perform?
I tour across Canada mostly, so if you’re in the land of the maple leaf you’ll be able to find me soon in a popular bar in your city.
What’s next for Tachichi?
I’m putting out an album with my dude Ghettosocks! We are in the same SIPSET crew. And early spring we are putting out a group SIPSET album then touring across Canada late spring!
