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
Merkules in 2017
Background information
Birth nameCole Stevenson
GenresCanadian hip hop, hip hop, underground hip hop, hardcore hip hop
OccupationsRapper
Years active2011–present
LabelsDeath Row Records (current)
Stealth Bomb Records (former)[1]

Career

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Stevenson 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

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List 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

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  1. ^ "Merkules". Stealth Bomb Records. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  2. ^ Zillich, Tom (19 August 2019). "Surrey-raised Merkules raps his way around the world". Peace Arch News.
  3. ^ Chai, Daniel (21 September 2022). "Surrey rap star Merkules performing at the Commodore Ballroom this fall | Listed". Daily Hive. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b Pacholik, Devin (9 February 2016). "Keep It Grimy: An Oral History of Ephin and Stompdown Killaz". Vice. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Merkules delivers songs of gratitude, recovery". Red Deer Advocate. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Pacholik, Devin (24 April 2017). "We Ate Chicken Nuggets And Shared Spicy Tales with Stompdown Killaz' Merkules". Vice. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Merkules releases the highly anticipated Cole album". HipHopCanada. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  9. ^ Slingerland, Calum (9 May 2019). "Merkules Drops Off Gucci Mane Tour Citing a Lack of Organization and Professionalism". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  10. ^ Adamian, John (17 November 2019). "Rapper Merkules coming to Toad's Place". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Uitti, Jacob (13 November 2020). "Merkules Stays True To His Journey on 'Apply Pressure'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Merkules - I'm Here". Hip Hop Vancouver. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  15. ^ Blandy, Curtis (2023-05-12). "Victoria-based rapper gets huge opportunity after being featured on Dr. Phil". Victoria Buzz. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  16. ^ "Merkules Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 29 September 2022.