On Turbo’s Instagram account, you’ll find photos of the Calgary-born and -raised artist in cowboy boots, camo trucker hats, and shiny belt buckles, posing with a goofy grin. “I want to be the face of country hip-hop,” says Turbo. “I haven’t broken any records yet, but I’m on my way.”
Turbo’s music is a confluence of country twang and hip-hop beats, a sound that’s broken out into the mainstream thanks to Lil Nas X and other genre-blurring artists. Although Turbo’s country cred predates “Old Town Road” – his dad’s a bluegrass guitarist, and he grew up surrounded by that music – Turbo started getting into it after an old manager introduced him to outlaw country, and artists like fellow Canadian, Colter Wall. At the same time, Turbo was making his own beats in his bedroom, and decided to merge the seemingly disparate genres. He’s since signed to the Los Angeles based independent label 10K/Internet Money Records.
“I have songs that are super-country and songs that are more hip-hop,” says Turbo. “But then once in awhile I land on a good blend, and that’s the stuff I try to push.” He points to “Heart Stop” as a single that hits the right balance. Pairing acoustic guitar and personal songwriting with bouncy drums, Turbo says the song was inspired by his struggles with mental health, and learning to accept himself the way he is.
His current single, “Summer’s End,” has “guitar that sounds like Johnny Cash,” and was written right after a camping trip. “In Canada, we only have four months of the year to enjoy life to the fullest. We go out in the woods, go camping and party hard.” says Turbo. “It’s awesome, but by the time summer ends, you’re almost glad it’s over, because damn, we went crazy.”