Terell Safadi has come a long way in his career, which spans 15 years, eight of them with a serious focus on getting his name out there for the world to hear.
From Rhythm on the Rock in 2012 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, being a 2023 Western Canadian Music Award nominee to his current Live Now, Die Later tour that takes him to New York City, Saradi has made great strides.
As for what got him down this track into rap music and performing, he said seeing 50 Cent was the catalyst.
鈥淚 was inspired by the culture and 50 Cent. He was a big influence. Seeing him for the first time, it just made me really excited about trying to be a rapper. I was a fan of other artists like Tupac and stuff like that but I didn鈥檛 really envision myself wanting to be a rapper until seeing 50 Cent,鈥� shared Safadi.
He was a Courtenay local, having attended Mark Isfeld Secondary and even delivered the Comox Valley Record in his youth before moving to Vancouver to make his musical dreams come true.
鈥淚 love the summers in the Comox Valley. I still have a lot of friends there. It definitely holds a special place in my heart and that鈥檚 kind of why I wanted to bring something to Courtenay, versus Cumberland. That鈥檚 the beginning of my career.鈥�
Having Courtenay on the tour was important for Safadi, knowing that a community loves rap but may not get the opportunity to see it live.
鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 an underserved market. I鈥檝e lived there and know that. I have friends there that want something cool like that to come. So I had to bring something to them.鈥�
Safadi has performed with many acts over the years, so many that he has to pause to think about who has been his favourite to perform with.
鈥淚 would have to say an artist by the name of Future. He is one of my favourite artists of all time. Unfortunately, when I opened for Future, it was before he was my favourite artist and the more I dug into him and the more he started releasing, the more I was like 鈥業 can鈥檛 believe I opened for this guy!鈥欌��
For this tour, which spans western Canada and finishes off in New York City, Safadi is bringing along the brother duo, Ato-Mik, Vancouver-based artists who blend hip-hop, R&B, pop, and rock.
Safadi鈥檚 music has evolved. When he first started his career, his focus was more aggressive about his life and the hardships he was going through and he saw music as an escape. Now he sees his music as positivity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just living in the moment. It鈥檚 called the Live Now, Die Later tour because I鈥檓 in the stage of accepting that we all leave this Earth so I just want my music to reflect having fun and living in the moment. I鈥檓 trying to have fun with my music and just give people good energy that they can smile, laugh and dance to.鈥�
The Live Now, Die Later tour celebrates Safadi鈥檚 latest album surpassing one million streams and charting on iTunes in five countries. He is known for his combination of traditional hip-hop lyricism with modern beats.
The tour comes to Courtenay at the Native Sons Hall on Feb. 28. Tickets are available on his website: .
