Brantford’s underground hip-hop scene continues to evolve with artists who prioritize authenticity and instinct over overproduced sounds, and Canadian artist Cobes is stepping into that lane with his newest release, “Older.” The track marks a renewed push for the rising artist, capturing a raw and unfiltered moment in his creative journey while setting the tone for a wave of new music planned for the year.
“Older” reflects Cobes’ natural approach to making music — a process that is heavily driven by emotion and spontaneity. Rather than meticulously crafting every line ahead of time, the artist relies on instinct once the beat begins to play.
“I constantly like to try new approaches when recording music,” Cobes explains. “With my newer music I’ve been working on including ‘Older,’ I just go off feeling. I hear the beat and don’t hesitate for a second.”
The recording process behind the track is intentionally simple and personal. Working out of his bedroom setup, Cobes records ideas the moment they hit him, letting creativity flow without interruption.
“I load up the track and have my setup ready in my bedroom,” he says. “I just go off feeling and freestyle.”
That freestyle-heavy approach plays a major role in shaping the final version of the song. Instead of layering multiple revisions or endlessly editing verses, Cobes keeps much of what listeners hear from the very first take. For him, that rawness is what makes the music feel genuine.
“A lot of what ends up staying in the song is the first take,” he explains. “I don’t want to overdo it. I want the song to feel organic and raw.”
This creative mindset isn’t limited to “Older.” According to Cobes, the record represents the beginning of a larger body of work that will follow the same instinct-driven formula throughout the year.
“All this new music I’m working on and plan on releasing this year is going off feeling and what first hits my brain,” he says. “Everything I’ve got dropping this year hits.”
The instrumental behind “Older” comes from producer Taurs, whose beat helped spark the track’s freestyle energy. While Cobes didn’t enter the session with a defined concept or story, a few modern rap innovators did cross his mind during the creative process.
“With going into the song free-minded and freestyling on this crazy beat thanks to my producer friend Taurs, I wouldn’t say I had too much inspiration,” he explains. “But some names that came to mind while making the song were Playboi Carti and Sofaygo.”
Those influences can be felt subtly in the song’s atmospheric delivery and melodic flow, placing Cobes within the new generation of artists pushing forward the modern underground sound.
Beyond the music itself, “Older” also reflects the artist’s personal and professional journey so far. Cobes has spent years building his name through performances, music releases, and involvement in the independent scene.
“My career has had a lot of ups and downs and I’ve been doing music, live shows and much more for a long time,” he says.
During that time, Cobes also invested in understanding the industry from a deeper perspective. Last year, he earned a diploma studying Music Industry Arts, a step that allowed him to further develop his knowledge of the business side of music.
However, he admits that while focusing on his studies, his release schedule slowed down.
“In that meantime I wasn’t dropping much music or staying consistent,” he says.
Recognizing the need to regain momentum led to a new shift in focus. Now Cobes is prioritizing consistent releases, stronger online presence, and deeper connections within Toronto’s underground music community.
“With getting back into things I can admit my career has taken a pivot,” he explains. “But I’ll always have my name out there. I’m still growing in the Toronto underground with my friends and making connections.”
For Cobes, the key to long-term success comes down to persistence.
“With hard work and consistency I believe good things will happen,” he says. “I just have to keep working and focusing on my career. This song ‘Older’ is the first of many.”
Although live performances have always been an important part of his artistry — something he says feels natural after years on stage — the artist is currently focused on strengthening his digital presence before returning to more shows.
“I love shows and I love the crowd,” Cobes shares. “I feel like I was made to be on stage since I’ve basically been doing it my whole life. But for right now I’m focusing on releasing new music, content, and being consistent online.”
With “Older” officially out and more music on the way, Cobes is stepping into a new phase of his career — one defined by creative freedom, raw energy, and a renewed commitment to his craft.
Listen to “Older” by Cobes
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0xkz89iCTcrGgYu0vHHuWq
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIt7GrvTwlg
