Edmonton rapper/producer ilysm is an experimental artist for a generation raised by the internet. First gaining notoriety with their 2022 mixtape “no matter how i look at it ..”, ilysm proved to be an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed by sound or genre. Described as a rapper with “quirky one-liners […] and a braggadocious delivery”, ilysm continues to impress audiences with their confident flows and humorous lyrics. They’re also notable as being part of the noise rap duo “ur new favorite war criminals” alongside fellow Edmonton rapper/producer Sor uh.
Ever since breaking onto the scene with 2021’s “ytp rap aesthetics”, ilysm has built a prolific discography characterized by its erratic experimentation with genre from track to track. In 2024 alone, ilysm released three very different LPs. This included the old school hip-hop mixtape “ily solos”, the collaborative experimental trap mixtape “Bomb Squad” (with rapper Creepysusie and producer Roughpatch), and the more pop-rap oriented collaborative album “Making Money in Weird Ways” (with Australian rapper/producer Doin’ Fine). Most recently, ilysm has released “Burger World Peace & The Endless Mediocrity”, a full length album that continues this trend by being ilysm’s first outing with a live band.
In 2026 ilysm hopes to create more. And maybe perform more. Something along the lines of that, for sure. They kinda play this by ear.
