Becoming the successor of Toronto’s rap throne isn’t attainable without Drake’s blessing, but Jazz Cartier is hellbent to do so on sophomore mixtape Hotel Paranoia. “I am the Prince of the city … the states compare me to Drake ’cause not many in the city can carry the weight,” he raps on opener “Talk of the Town.” Accentuated by magisterial horn and string sections mixed with codeine-sloshed boasts (“How We Do It”) and romp hooks (“Red Alert”), the rapper comes in tow with heavy braggadocio, sidestepping the sophomore slump after a strong debut in Marauding in Paradise. (Noon, Cirrus Logic stage; Weekend One only)

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This article appears in September 30 • 2016.

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