Cole Stevenson, known by the stage name Merkules, is a Canadian rapper from Surrey, British Columbia.[2] He is known for his "hangover-rap" style of music.[3]
Merkules | |
|---|---|
 Merkules in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Cole Stevenson |
| Genres | Canadian hip hop, hip hop, underground hip hop, hardcore hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Death Row Records (current) Stealth Bomb Records (former)[1] |
Career
editStevenson began rhyming at age 15 under the name Merk Mikz. He met Snak the Ripper at a concert, and Stevenson subsequently joined his tour as a hype man. In 2011, the two began collaborating on music.[4]
At the age of 16, Stevenson was randomly attacked while walking home at night. He received permanent facial scars after being beaten and stabbed.[4] No arrests were made.[5] His 2016 album Scars drew inspiration from the event.[6]
In 2017, Stevenson released the album Trust Your Gut.[7] He followed it in 2018 with the album Cole.[8] Stevenson was set to tour with Gucci Mane in May 2019 before dropping out.[6][9] His album Special Occasion was released in October of that year.[10] The song "Bass" from the album was featured in the 2020 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.[11]
In 2020, Stevenson released the album Apply Pressure through his label Merkules Music and BMG.[12][13] He was subsequently featured on the talk show of Dr. Phil.[12] In 2022, Merkules released the single "I'm Here" on Death Row Records.[14] As of 2023, Merkules has had over 900,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.[15]
Discography
editList adapted from Spotify on September 28, 2022.[16]
- Studio albums and EP
- Apply Pressure (2020)
- Force of Habit (with Evil Ebenezer) (2020)
- Special Occasion (2019)
- Cole (2018)
- Trust Your Gut (2017)
- Scars (2014)
- Hunger Pains (2013)
- Bacon Bits EP (2012)
- Canadian Bacon (2012)
References
edit- ^ "Merkules". Stealth Bomb Records. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Zillich, Tom (19 August 2019). "Surrey-raised Merkules raps his way around the world". Peace Arch News.
- ^ Chai, Daniel (21 September 2022). "Surrey rap star Merkules performing at the Commodore Ballroom this fall | Listed". Daily Hive. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b Pacholik, Devin (9 February 2016). "Keep It Grimy: An Oral History of Ephin and Stompdown Killaz". Vice. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Merkules delivers songs of gratitude, recovery". Red Deer Advocate. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ a b Adamakos, Tess (6 May 2019). "Merkules Talks "Old Town Remix," Upcoming Tour With Gucci Mane, and Bad Tattoos". Inked Magazine. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Pacholik, Devin (24 April 2017). "We Ate Chicken Nuggets And Shared Spicy Tales with Stompdown Killaz' Merkules". Vice. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Merkules releases the highly anticipated Cole album". HipHopCanada. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Slingerland, Calum (9 May 2019). "Merkules Drops Off Gucci Mane Tour Citing a Lack of Organization and Professionalism". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Adamian, John (17 November 2019). "Rapper Merkules coming to Toad's Place". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (15 September 2020). "'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2': What It's Like to Build on (and Join) the Original Soundtrack's Legacy". Variety. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ a b Rayner, Ben (10 December 2020). "Big-hearted B.C. rapper Merkules forges emotional bonds with fans through his confessional lyrics". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ Uitti, Jacob (13 November 2020). "Merkules Stays True To His Journey on 'Apply Pressure'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Merkules - I'm Here". Hip Hop Vancouver. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ Blandy, Curtis (2023-05-12). "Victoria-based rapper gets huge opportunity after being featured on Dr. Phil". Victoria Buzz. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
- ^ "Merkules Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 29 September 2022.