In Conversation: NOT THA ONE on rehab(it)recordings Launch

Today marks the launch of rehab(it)recordings, an exciting new platform bringing together artists from Canada, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Celebrating the launch are two debut singles: “Gravity Isn’t Real Today,” a collaboration between NOT THA ONE and Vanessa John that channels early 90s techno-warehouse-rap, and “msg no.5,” Vanessa John’s first single from her upcoming EP “msgs from the abyss.”

We spoke with NOT THA ONE (EVAN TYLER), co-founder and featured artist, about the label’s fresh approach to hypnagogic hip-hop, garage wave, and avant-garde video production. The label launches with an impressive roster including NOT THA ONE (Regina), Vanessa John (Toronto), Ira Lee (Montreal), NTS SleepS (Vancouver), Deacon LF (Brooklyn), Polly Say Phalle (Paris), 73Stan (Warwickshire), MS.GOD (Canada/USA), MR.CONSTRIKTUS (Minot), Sleepsearch (Yorkton), HazeShallow (Regina), OKAN’S OLD MUFFIN (Regina), and Lemon-Aids (Vancouver/Regina).

How did your musical journey begin?

Picture this – five-year-old me in 1990, sitting cross-legged in front of the TV with my fisher price karaoke box, recording Michael Jackson and Nirvana straight from the screen. That was the start. Then came the formal training – Royal Conservatory of Music for piano, picked up bass guitar and drums along the way, started this wild psychedelic rock band in high school. But everything changed when I heard Wu-Tang. That was it – I knew right then that THIS was my life. Been writing bars ever since. Couldn’t stop if I tried.

You’ve got quite an interesting academic background too. How does that play into your music?

I’ve got this graduate degree in visual arts from University of Toronto, which might seem fancy, but at my core, I’m still that ‘raw made it in a garage rap brain’ from Regina, Saskatchewan – what I like to call the forgotten province of Canada. One of my biggest inspirations is Ira Lee from Montreal, who’s now part of rehab(it)recordings. This guy… he completely rewrote the rulebook of what RAP could be. But you know what? I’m really just a product of everyone I’ve crossed paths with – Ira, countless others. That’s what art is, right? Taking the world and telling its story back to itself. It’s never just about one person.

For someone who’s never heard your music, how would you describe it?

You’re dumpster diving and find this sketchy VHS tape. Against your better judgment, you take it home and pop it in. What hits you is this beautifully chaotic, unorthodox sonic assault that somehow makes perfect sense once you create your own framework to process it. I’m a hip-hop scholar at heart, sure, but I’m equally in love with hypnagogic, garagewave, leftfield, glowfi, Nu Disco – and that’s before we even dive into all the different flavors of hip-hop itself.

Tell us about the vision behind rehab(it)recordings.

We’re this amazing collection of musicians and visual artists spread across Canada, USA, France, and the UK. But it’s more than just geography – it’s about understanding that life itself is a constant process of rehabilitation. Every artist here knows that path intimately. It’s raw, it’s delicate, but it’s also incredibly fertile ground for creativity. Everyone’s got their own way through it, you know?

What do you hope people take away from your music?

The courage to create something uniquely theirs. Doesn’t have to be rap – we’ve probably got enough rappers already,” he laughs. “But there’s something special about being 40 and still living for that next freestyle. It’s like this inside joke I carry with me: ‘EVAN – GOT GREAT AT RAP.’ Ridiculous journey? Maybe. But it’s mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s next for rehab(it)recordings?

We’re launching with two great singles today. This summer, we’re dropping videos for ‘Gravity Isn’t Real Today’ and a new track called ‘PAMELA CALENDAR’ featuring the incredible Vanessa John, with Deacon LF bringing his magic to the production. Later in 2025, we’re releasing this wild double album, ‘The Found CDs disc one + disc two’ – a collaboration between myself and Vanessa John, produced by Deacon LF and ET. I can’t wait for people to hear what we’ve been working on.

Today’s launch of rehab(it)recordings at rehabitrecordings.ca brings a fresh perspective to the independent music scene, offering an engaging mix of hip-hop, experimental electronic music, and visual arts. The launch singles showcase the label’s range – “Gravity Isn’t Real Today” draws from early 90s techno-warehouse-rap traditions while exploring themes of dissociation and alienation, while “msg no.5” delves into the often-overlooked importance of platonic love. To follow NOT THA ONE’s journey and upcoming releases, check out his linktree or connect on Instagram (@deadregina).