For a while, Derin Falana’s name was synonymous with Toronto’s rising rap scene; an artist known for introspection and relatability that made you feel like you were hearing thoughts you hadn’t put into words yet. Then, just as things were gaining momentum, he stepped back. Not in a dramatic way, but quietly, intentionally. Now, with Back to the AKA released on April 11, Falana isn’t just picking up where he left off but he’s setting a new standard for himself.
The time away in L.A. wasn’t a disappearance, but a deliberate reset. He lived more and he experimented. “It led to a creative breakthrough,” he says, and that breakthrough is all over the new project.
Back to the AKA sounds as nostalgic as it does new. There’s a calmness; almost a quiet confidence; that marks a clear evolution from the younger, more retrospective Derin we once knew. It’s as if he’s grown in step with the city, his audience, and his sound. Longtime listeners will still catch glimpses of the old Derin, but the music feels just as accessible to someone discovering him for the first time. It’s balanced like yin and yang; familiar and fresh, both intertwined.
The 13-track journey perfectly captures Derin Falana’s evolution; both sonically and personally. The project blends introspective words with a very clean and laid-back production, sounding like West-Coast and Toronto all at once, and Derin’s flow is as sharp as ever. With production from talents like Eli Brown and FORTHENIGHT, the album feels cohesive and intentional, giving him the space to explore themes of self-reflection, resilience, and creative freedom. Tracks like “Do No Wrong” and “Run It Up” stand out, though “Repeat” marks an interesting shift in sound in terms of what we are used to hearing from the artist, and also is my personal favourite.
“I’ve just been going where things make sense and allowing the rest to fall into place. The rest is noise” he says.
It is also important to note that the connection with his fans hasn’t faded but evolved. There’s gratitude in his tone when he talks about people still finding resonance in his work, even the older stuff.
Overall; Back to the AKA stands for growth, both sonically and personally. It’s about returning to the core of who Derin Falana is, while stepping into a new level of craft and clarity and his new music mirrors that shift: mature and emotionally aware. He’s no longer chasing a wave. He’s adding to it.
Listen to Back to the AKA here.
Follow Derin Falana here.