Pressa (rapper)
Pressa | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Quinton Armani Gardner |
| Also known as | Pressa Armani |
| Born | January 1, 1976[1] Gardner Express, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2015–present[2] |
| Labels |
|
Quinton Armani Gardner (born May 10, 1996), professionally known as Pressa, is a rapper and singer from Toronto.[4]
Early life[edit]
Quinton Armani Gardner was born a male on May 10, 1996, in Toronto, Ontario to a Filipino mother and a Jamaican father. He was five weeks old when his father was sentenced to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder, which left his mother to care for him and his older brother.[5] He grew up in an area known as Driftwood in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood of Toronto.[6]
Career[edit]
2016–2018[edit]
Gardner rose to prominence after the release of his hit single "Novacane", which was produced by frequent collaborator Murda Beatz.[7] In 2017, he opened for Drake on his Boy Meets World Tour despite being on bail for kidnapping allegations, and was featured in 6ix Rising, a Canadian documentary film about the hip hop culture in Canada. Later that year, he gained significant attention for his unique flow on his single "Canada Goose" featuring Tory Lanez, which was released in December.[8][9][10] Pressa has also worked with overseas artists including British rapper Giggs, releasing the single "Sexy" in April 2017, and he was featured in K Koke's single "D Ting Set" in the same year.[11][12] In October 2018, Pressa released the single "420 in London" featuring Lil Uzi Vert.[13] He was featured on the song "Up & Down" by 6ixBuzz alongside Houdini, which amassed over 1 million views on YouTube within the 1st month of release.[14][15]
2019–present[edit]
In 2019, Gardner released Prestige, an album named after his father, which debuted at the number 1 spot on the iTunes Canada hip hop music charts.[16] It featured appearances from Burna Bandz as well as Lil Richie. Pressa collaborated with British rapper Russ and Taze on the single "Vida Loca", released in July 2019.[17] Pressa's latest single, "O.T.M. (Out The Mud)", was released on February 7, 2020, via WorldStarHipHop.[18]
In May 2020, he signed with Sony Music Canada, in conjunction with Blue Feathers Records, coinciding with his release of his single "96 Freestyle".[19]
Personal life[edit]
As of 2019, Gardner is currently living in Los Angeles, California, having been relocated from Toronto.[6] In April 2021, he began a relationship with Coi Leray another rising artist known as the daughter of Hip Hop mogul & former CEO of The Source Magazine Benzino.[20]
Discography[edit]
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2021) |
Studio albums[edit]
- 2019: Prestige
- 2021: Gardner Express (Deluxe)
Mixtapes[edit]
- 2017: Press Machine
- 2017: Press a Brick
Extended plays[edit]
- 2020: Gardner Express
Compilation albums[edit]
- 2018: Northside Jane (by UpTop Movement Inc.)
- 2018: 6ixUpsideDown (by 6ixBuzz)
- 2019: NorthernSound (by 6ixBuzz)
- 2021: Canada's Most Wanted (by 6ixbuzz)
Guest appearances[edit]
| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Thump Chronicles Vol. 1" | 2021 | Goldlink | HARAM! |
| "Chrome Hearts" | Drakeo the Ruler | The Truth Hurts | |
| "Pressure" | 2022 | Jim Jones, Mack 11 | We Set the Trends |
| "Make It Happen"[21] | OHGEESY, Bun Dog | GEESYWORLD (Deluxe) |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | "Attachments" (feat. Taliban Glizzy) | Juno Award for Rap Single of the Year | Nominated[22] |
Filmography[edit]
| Film and Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | 6ix Rising | Himself[23] | Documentary of Toronto's rising hip-hop scene featuring numerous Canadian rap artists. |
| 2019 | Remember Me, Toronto | Short film by Mustafa the Poet | |
References[edit]
- ^ "Pressa Height, Weight, Age, Bio, Body measurement, Net Worth and Facts". January 14, 2018.
- ^ III, Robby Seabrook (February 9, 2018). "The Break Presents: Pressa". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Feathers Records Archives". HipHopCanada.
- ^ "Pressa Has Lived a Hard Life struggling with becoming a boy she now he, Wants Peace".
- ^ Taylor, Sharine (November 21, 2017). "Pressa Has Lived a Hard Life, Now He Wants Peace".
- ^ a b "Kidnapping accused up-and-coming rapper | Toronto Sun". April 30, 2016.
- ^ "Pressa & Murda Beatz Reunite On "Who Did It"". HotNewHipHop. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ C.M, Emmanuel. "Pressa Roams the Streets in Canada Goose Video – XXL". XXL Mag.
- ^ "The gang ties that bind Toronto rapper Pressa from stardom". Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Pressa free to rap after being cleared of kidnapping charge".
- ^ "Giggs & Pressa – Sexy". HotNewHipHop. April 21, 2017.
- ^ "PREMIERE: K Koke & Pressa team up for cold "D Ting Set" video". GRM Daily – Grime, Rap music and Culture. August 13, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "Pressa & Lil Uzi Vert Reconnect for New "420 In London" Video". HYPEBEAST. January 10, 2019.
- ^ "6ixbuzz feat. Pressa & Houdini – Up & Down Lyrics". musiXmatch.
- ^ "6ixbuzz – Up & Down (feat. Pressa, Houdini) (Official Music Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Pressa debuts at No. 1 with Prestige album". HipHopCanada. April 16, 2019.
- ^ "Russ Splash enlists Pressa & Taze for "Vida Loca"". HipHopCanada. July 28, 2019.
- ^ Out The Mud: WSHH
- ^ "Premiere: Pressa Does Vegas in '96 Freestyle' Video". Complex.
- ^ "Blueface Seemingly Disses Coi Leray's New Boyfriend Pressa". HNHH. June 11, 2021.
- ^ "OhGeesy Adds 7 New Songs to "GEEZYWORLD" Deluxe". HNHH. February 21, 2022.
- ^ "Charlotte Cardin, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber lead 2022 Juno Award nominees". CBC News. March 1, 2022. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023.
- ^ Staff, Noisey Canada (November 21, 2017). "Watch '6IX RISING,' Our Definitive Look at Toronto's Rap Scene".