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ESKASONI — Tommy Johnson, better known by his stage name L’nu Joker, is no newcomer to the hip-hop world.

With a career spanning over two decades, Johnson’s sound has evolved as hip hop and rap music have grown. The 37-year-old’s latest venture aims to build on that growth with his new EP “Through the Looking Glass,” which was released on April 20.

Born and raised in Eskasoni First Nation, Johnson’s music journey reflects a deep connection to his roots and an evolving artistic identity. From freestyling over others’ beats at the start of his career to crafting his own unique sounds, Johnson says this new project is about expanding his musical and lyrical horizons.

‘OPENING UP MY RANGE’

“In the beginning, I was mostly doing random mixtape stuff,” Johnson said. “I’ve grown quite a bit compared to my original work, mostly party music. I still have a couple of songs like that, but I’ve been working on touching on some deeper topics and opening up my range.”

The new album, initially planned as a full-length effort, was adapted into an EP due to time constraints.

Despite the change, “Through the Looking Glass” features six tracks, including notable collaborations with such fellow Nova Scotian artists as JRDN, with whom he recorded “Bad One,” a track Johnson highlights as a standout, alongside “Rhyming words 2,” a sequel to a song from his early career that epitomizes his growth as a lyricist.

“There’s a couple of collaborations on the EP; I have Devon Paul on one of my songs, and we’re in a group called KU$H together. I also linked up with JRDN from Halifax. That song is called ‘Bad One,'” he said.

“I think the one that means the most to me is ‘Rhyming Words 2.’ It’s like a sequel to a track I did back in 2013. The original ‘Rhyming Words’ was just me rapping for 60 and 70 bars, with no hook, no choruses, just straight rap.

“This is like a sequel to that; no hook, just me going off for three, four minutes.”

REPRESENTING L’NU

Johnson’s stage name is a nod to his heritage, derived from the Mi’kmaq word ‘l’nu’ meaning “the people.” This cultural pride permeates his music, which Johnson says now includes translations of some of his lyrics into Mi’kmaw.

“In some of my new work, I’ve been translating some of my words into the Mi’kmaw language. It can be hard to use some of those words; they don’t flow the same on the beat, but I’ve been coming around with it, and it’s been working out nice,” said Johnson.

The journey to this EP has been a labour of love and learning for Johnson.

He has refined his skills in everything from engineering tracks to navigating the complexities of the music industry. His collaborations extend beyond local talents, involving professionals like Beau Vallis, a sound engineer and producer who has worked with notable figures such as Pharrell and Kelly Rowland.

Johnson says Vallis’ input brought the music to a professional level, ensuring it resonates with a broad audience.

“I engineer a lot of my tracks, but sometimes we send them away to outside people like Beau Vallis. He’s a sound engineer from the States. He’s worked with people like Pharell, Kelly Rowland, Slim Thug, and more,” Johnson said.

“He makes music crisp and professional; it sounds amazing working with him.”

FUTURE OF CAPE BRETON HIP-HOP SCENE

Johnson says the local hip-hop scene used to be more vibrant. Still, he sees a possibility for a resurgence from local talent.

Johnson’s advice to upcoming artists in Cape Breton reflects his career’s longevity and evolution. He says local artists should think outside the box and push their art beyond the local scene.

“Get out there and push it, meet people, network,” he said. “I hope the local scene pushes it farther than just being local. Playing shows and making music here is fun, but there’s more to the world than what’s outside your window.”

“Through the Looking Glass” is now available on most streaming platforms.

Mitchell Ferguson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post