Toronto’s Rising Multitalented Artist, Rayhan, Bridges Film, Comedy & Music
Toronto-based rapper, actor, and comedian, Rayhan is quietly becoming one of the city’s most original creative voices. Scarborough-born and genre-defying, he moves seamlessly between music, comedy, and acting — embodying the kind of ambition and versatility that define Toronto’s ever-expanding creative scene.
His upcoming album, Almost There XO (Nov. 19, 2025), pushes boundaries by blending experimental electronica, emo, and hip-hop into cinematic, emotionally charged soundscapes.
Check out Rayhan’s latest single, “Barz 3: Pretty & Stoned” below.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
What’s GOOD?! I’m Rayhan – an artist, actor, sometimes comedian & guy from Scarborough. I’m pretty chill, I get silly too.
You started out in Toronto’s independent theatre and sketch comedy scene. How did performing live shows in that space shape the way you approach music and storytelling Now?
Believe it or not, doing the indie theatre & comedy rounds in Toronto was a badasslifestyle. Whether it was a play, musical or comedy revue – we were out here spending long nights putting these epics up on stage with virtually no budget and rehearsing anywhere we could. It’s super fun. I made lifelong friends. It also gets grueling. Everyone who shows up is truly there to make art for arts sake. The biggest payoff is always getting to entertain your friends, family, community – and also partying after the show. Doing live shows in this context shaped the way I approach music and storytelling tremendously because I was able to hone my crafts as an artist away from a spotlight in the comfort of my own city which developed my work ethic and allowed me to become multi-faceted and tough. I was also able to realize that performing and creating is more than big accolades or material things and making great contributions in art (which is all I’m really striving to do) truly starts with making stuff for yourself, the people you love and having a positive impact on your community.
Your debut album uLove: Rayhan’s Version was described as “raw, thrilling, and real.” Looking back, what does that project represent to you now?
It was an interesting project for sure haha. I think it was bold as a rapper to make an experimental debut album about love, heartbreak and hoe activities but I needed to make it to heal… looking back this project represents a transitional time in my life where I was super sad and thinking about what love was in my early 20s. I still think it’s some bangers even though I’ve grown a lot since writing those songs.
What should fans expect from your upcoming album, Almost There XO, dropping in November 2025? Any themes or sounds you’re especially excited for people to hear?
Oh man I’m locked in and hyped about this album. Almost There XO to me is a celebration of how far I’ve come and also acknowledging that this is the start of a new beginning and I have a long way to go. The themes are the same everytime: Being dope, being sad, being a lover, adventures, introspection, grandiosity, bars…Torontooo baby.
The sounds – it’s being executive produced by my homie and collaborator Wizzdom. Experimental electronic, crazy video game music but also emo and trap too.
Your sound blends emo rap, electronica, and atmospheric hip hop. How do you balance so many influences without losing your voice in the mix?
Truly I have no idea. If the drums hit, if the beat tells a story…I’ll rap and sing over it. Of course I always end up gravitating towards the sounds I grew up to and rap and emo run through my veins. Experimental electronica is something new I’ve been having a lot of fun playing with which is why I wanted to try making a whole album with those vibes.
Lastly, you’ve worn many hats: actor, comedian, musician. Which version of Rayhan feels most “you”?
It’s all me but just through different lenses. I’m just a performer and story teller. It always starts with a story or idea or feeling. Sometimes the story or idea or feeling can be more emphatic as a song, sometimes it’s more poignant when I play a character I can interpret and other times it all makes for a funny one liner at 2 in the morning.
Music and movies are forever though. I just want to make albums and be in movies.