Merkules Explained
Cole Stevenson, known by the stage name Merkules, is a Canadian rapper from Surrey, British Columbia.[2] He is known for his "hangover-rap" style of music.[3]
Career
Stevenson began rhyming at age 15 under the name Merk Mikz. He met Snak the Ripper at a concert, and Stevenson subsequently joined his tour as a hype man. In 2011, the two began collaborating on music.
At the age of 16, Stevenson was randomly attacked while walking home at night. He received permanent facial scars after being beaten and stabbed.[4] No arrests were made.[5] His 2016 album Scars drew inspiration from the event.[6]
In 2017, Stevenson released the album Trust Your Gut.[7] He followed it in 2018 with the album Cole.[8] Stevenson was set to tour with Gucci Mane in May 2019 before dropping out.[6] [9] His album Special Occasion was released in October of that year.[10] The song "Bass" from the album was featured in the 2020 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2.[11]
In 2020, Stevenson released the album Apply Pressure through his label Merkules Music and BMG.[12] He was subsequently featured on the talk show of Dr. Phil.[13] In 2022, Merkules released the single "I'm Here" on Death Row Records.[14] As of 2023, Merkules has had over 900,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.[15]
Discography
List adapted from Spotify on September 28, 2022.[16]
- Studio albums
- Apply Pressure (2020)
- Force of Habit (2020)
- Special Occasion (2019)
- Cole (2018)
- Trust Your Gut (2017)
- Scars (2014)
- Hunger Pains (2013)
- Bacon Bits (2012)
- Canadian Bacon (2012)
Notes and References
- Web site: Merkules . Stealth Bomb Records . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170509173617/http://www.stealthbombrecords.com/merkules-page.html . 9 May 2017.
- News: Zillich . Tom . Surrey-raised Merkules raps his way around the world . Peace Arch News . 19 August 2019.
- News: Chai . Daniel . Surrey rap star Merkules performing at the Commodore Ballroom this fall Listed . 8 October 2022 . Daily Hive . 21 September 2022 . en.
- News: Pacholik . Devin . Keep It Grimy: An Oral History of Ephin and Stompdown Killaz . 22 September 2022 . Vice . 9 February 2016 . en.
- News: Merkules delivers songs of gratitude, recovery . 22 September 2022 . Red Deer Advocate . 20 April 2015.
- News: Adamakos . Tess . Merkules Talks "Old Town Remix," Upcoming Tour With Gucci Mane, and Bad Tattoos . 22 September 2022 . Inked Magazine . 6 May 2019 . en.
- News: Pacholik . Devin . We Ate Chicken Nuggets And Shared Spicy Tales with Stompdown Killaz' Merkules . 22 September 2022 . Vice . 24 April 2017 . en.
- News: Merkules releases the highly anticipated Cole album . 22 September 2022 . HipHopCanada . 30 March 2018 . en-CA.
- News: Slingerland . Calum . Merkules Drops Off Gucci Mane Tour Citing a Lack of Organization and Professionalism . 22 September 2022 . exclaim.ca . 9 May 2019 . en-ca.
- News: Adamian . John . Rapper Merkules coming to Toad's Place . 22 September 2022 . Hartford Courant . 17 November 2019.
- News: Stedman . Alex . 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2': What It's Like to Build on (and Join) the Original Soundtrack's Legacy . 22 September 2022 . Variety . 15 September 2020.
- News: Uitti . Jacob . Merkules Stays True To His Journey on 'Apply Pressure' . 22 September 2022 . American Songwriter . 13 November 2020.
- News: Rayner . Ben . Big-hearted B.C. rapper Merkules forges emotional bonds with fans through his confessional lyrics . The Globe and Mail . 10 December 2020 . en-CA.
- News: Merkules - I'm Here . 22 September 2022 . Hip Hop Vancouver . 5 May 2022.
- Web site: Blandy . Curtis . 2023-05-12 . Victoria-based rapper gets huge opportunity after being featured on Dr. Phil . 2024-03-14 . Victoria Buzz . en-US.
- Web site: Merkules Discography . Spotify . 29 September 2022 . en.
