rehab(it)recordings Makes Its Official Debut

Art often emerges from the spaces between survival and creation, a truth that newcomer rehab(it)recordings seems to understand inherently. Today, the label announces its presence with two distinctive singles that showcase just how wide the musical spectrum can stretch when artists are given room to experiment.

The first single, “Gravity Isn’t Real Today,” brings together the sharp-witted NOT THA ONE and the multifaceted Vanessa John in a collaboration that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh. The track cleverly reimagines the DNA of early 90s techno-warehouse music, weaving it seamlessly with contemporary rap elements. While the surface sparkles with dance-floor energy, beneath lies a deeper exploration of disconnection and alienation – themes that hit particularly close to home in today’s increasingly fragmented world.

The single offers listeners a taste of what’s to come from the duo’s ambitious project “The Found CDs,” a double album set to drop later this year. In a smart move that adds another layer to the release, the label has tapped Toronto’s own soJin Chun to direct an accompanying music video, expected to surface as summer rolls in.

Meanwhile, Vanessa John steps out solo with “msg no.5,” the lead single from her forthcoming EP “msgs from the abyss.” The track, featuring the talented Samantha Wyss and produced alongside Ashton Price, takes an unexpected turn away from the well-worn path of romantic ballads. Instead, John crafts a compelling narrative about the often-overlooked power of platonic bonds and the winding road to personal healing.

These releases mark the official launch of rehab(it)recordings, an independent label that’s already turning heads with its unconventional approach to artist development. By partnering with Townhouse Video Movies, they’re creating something that feels more like a multimedia collective than a traditional record label – a space where music albums, video mixtapes, and visual art projects can cross-pollinate freely.

The label’s initial roster reads like a who’s who of underground innovators, spanning thirteen artists across four countries. From the gritty streets of Regina to the artistic pulse of Paris, each brings their own unique flavor to the table. NOT THA ONE, whose roots run deep in Regina’s hip-hop scene, shares label space with Montreal’s boundary-pushing Ira Lee, Brooklyn’s Deacon LF, Paris-based Polly Say Phalle, and Warwickshire’s 73Stan, among others.

This diversity isn’t just geographical – it’s generational and stylistic too. The label has brought together Canadian hip-hop pioneers, classically trained musicians who’ve wandered off the beaten path into avant-garde territory, and visual artists who’ve found their voice through music. This melting pot of influences surfaces in the label’s output, which spans everything from indie hip-hop and hypnagogic pop to loop-rock and experimental electronic music.

The label’s digital headquarters at rehabitrecordings.ca launches today, offering music enthusiasts a gateway into this eclectic creative universe. Visitors can explore individual artist catalogs, discover collaborative projects, and keep tabs on upcoming releases. For those wanting to follow specific artists, NOT THA ONE can be found on Instagram and through his (and the label’s) comprehensive Linktree.

In an industry that often feels oversaturated with cookie-cutter content, rehab(it)recordings seems determined to carve out its own niche. Their approach suggests a return to the idea that art, in whatever form it takes, should first and foremost serve creativity rather than commerce.

For more information about rehab(it)recordings and its growing roster of artists, visit rehabitrecordings.ca.