Do not let the title fool you. Tachichi’s newest album Top Ten has eleven — that’s right, eleven — head-bopping tracks. Under Hand’Solo Records, this makes album number 12 for the Halifax local and includes beats from multiple producers, such as Sean-One, Uncle Fester, Pineo & Loeb, ChanHays, Petey Punch, DJ Moves, Gordki, DJ Cosmo and Fresh Kills.
“I didn’t purposely reach out to so many producers,” says Tachichi. “It just happened that way during the process of finding the right beat to inspire my next concept. Usually when I hear a beat I can right then and there think of a concept idea, and I just run with it.”
“The last album was 90s influenced and in the past I’ve been notorious for making long albums with 20 plus songs. Although Chico’s 90s album was 15, I wanted to make an eclectic 10-song album to hit em quick! Plus, I figured Tachichi Top Ten just looks and sounds good. It’s as simple as that. Marketing 101”
Most of the songs run between two and five minutes long, bringing the album’s length to just under an hour. On it, Tachichi’s pride for his home on the east coast shines through with the track “Atlantic Time” and the fact he has worked with some of the East Coast’s greatest hip hop artists, including Classified, Quake Matthews and Buck 65.
A standout track on the album comes at the end of the work week but the beginning of the album. Track number two, “TGIF,” reminds us of how much we love the start of the weekend — and who doesn’t want to jam to that? Adding a bit of humour with a popular quote from the movie Office Space, Tachichi gives us a laugh and a nice beat we can sip our drinks to on a Friday night — or any night, really.
Released as a video back in December, track “Everything” also incites the desire to have fun. Images of Tachichi rapping, drink in hand, against a backdrop of recognizable Halifax locations, such as the Commons skate park, Alter Egos Cafe and The Bus Stop Theatre makes us believe there may be a theme to this album.
Although most of these tracks are catchy, upbeat and about having a good time, he takes a moment to slow down and touch on harder issues, like losing someone you love and not giving up on what you believe in. “Q-word” wants to relay the message for listeners to keep pushing through and to never quit no matter what misfortunes may arise in life.
Ending the album on a more intimate note, Tachichi dives deeper into his personal life.
“‘To the Lost’ is a song about a loved one that has passed away. But with their passing you realize that you could have reconciled your relationship or reached out to them more when they were alive and here. My verse was about my grandfather, my sister and our relationship with our grandfather.”
“I am very pleased with the outcome of this album. It definitely ranks in my top 3, maybe even top two. I was able to create a few different sounds and styles!! So I’m happy with it. I was able to be honest while having fun as well! That’s all I can ask for”
Tachichi says he will be touring in May and is currently working on an EP and a musical. We look forward to seeing what 2019 has in store him.