Pioneering Canadian emcee, producer, and record executive Kardinal Offishall has released his 6th solo studio album Firestarter Vol.2: Everyday, Sometimes, out now on all streaming platforms via Kardi’s own Black Stone Colleagues label.

The 10-song tour de force bears Kardinal’s production fingerprint on 8 tracks and includes an all-star cast of guest features from around the globe including Black Thought, Stove God Cooks, T-Pain, Konshens, Glenn Lewis, Buju Banton, Idris Elba, NESTA, Melanie Fiona, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Cipha Sounds.

From the hard-hitting kick and snare of the album’s opener, “Heavy Is The Head,” to the final horn and strings refrain of the closing title track, “Everyday, Sometimes (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid),” Kardinal makes clear that he is forging further into elite musical territory on Firestarter Vol. 2.

On his first album release in over a decade, Kardinal Offishall busts through the gate with the ferocity of a thoroughbred racehorse, as he asserts “if you ever wanted to know what a hustler’s ambition sounds like, it sounds like this!” What follows is a masterclass in lyricism, vocal dexterity, and supremely elevated songwriting by a legendary international icon and some of the most talented vocalists on the planet. 

Black Thought and Stove God Cooks join Kardi on the second track, “40 Acres and a Ferrari,” for a militant reminder that it’s never too late to properly address injustices of the past. 

Veteran NYC DJ Cipha Sounds kicks off the radio-ready third track, “All Nighter,” with big throwback energy on the intro before T-Pain drops a clapalong/singalong chorus that instantly sticks. Jamaican dancehall star Konshens dashes some Caribbean flavor on the track with his spicy wordplay, and Kardinal delivers a commanding verse that takes the proceedings to a higher level. 

On the previously released single “Kiss Me When I,” Kardi teams up with fellow Canadian and longtime collaborator Glenn Lewis for Y2K-era vibes, as they rock confidently over a feel-good R&B track built by Grammy Award-winning producer DRTWRK, whose credits include Kanye West, J. Cole, and Lil Wayne, among many others.

“Top 3 (featuring Buju Banton and Idris Elba)” brings together three kings from different corners of the globe, challenging each other to bring their very best for this monumental dancehall collaboration. Toronto, Jamaica, and London connect here on what is sure to be received as an instant cross-continental cultural classic.

Up next is the album’s previously released debut single “My Brother’s Keeper Part 2” featuring the rising young talent NESTA, out of NYC. The deeply personal and sonically rich reggae track builds on the foundation of brotherhood, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds forged through shared 1st generation Jamaican-Canadian/American experiences. With NESTA joining forces, the collaboration bridges generations. Kardinal’s veteran artistry paired with NESTA’s new perspective creates a dynamic and emotionally resonant piece of music.

“When You’re In Love” features the collection’s only female contributor, Melanie Fiona, as she lends her voice to this soulful ballad that reflects on the peaks and valleys a couple can experience during the course of a relationship.

“Where There’s Smoke” finds the Firestarter standing on the business that has made him a global force in music over the course of a more than 30+ year career. Produced by Montreal-based maestro Asethic, the project’s 9th track hearkens back to Golden Era 90’s hip hop/dancehall fusion with just the right amount of boom and bap to support Kardi’s aggressive vocals that bounce effortlessly from bombastic rapper to murderous singjay, prepared for a clash in any setting.

On track 8, multi-talented English threat Idris Elba links up again with Kardi for “Bombay Sunsets.” Kardinal Offishall trades venomous verses over a slithering snake charmer of a beat with Sir Idris, who was recently knighted by King Charles III at the 2026 New Year Honours.

Kardinal enlists Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid for the album’s closer “Everyday, Sometimes.” The infinitely gifted singer taps his church choir roots on the song’s rousing melodic chorus that sits atop a lushly arranged rhythm produced by Kardi. Firestarter Vol. 2’s last track is an inspirational finale that takes listeners through the daily struggles and triumphs of a musical storyteller, giving the audience a deeper glimpse into the journey that has brought Kardinal Offishall’s music screaming back to the forefront.

Speaking about the music, Kardinal O said, “When I first got signed, as a kid, my only goal was representing the city of Toronto, the island of Jamaica, and putting my culture on the biggest platform as possible, so that the world could discover something that they have never seen, heard or felt before. On the 25th anniversary of Firestarter, Volume 1, I put together the avengers for Firestarter Vol.2 and collaborated with some of my favorite artists of all time to bring the world an album that will be the soundtrack to your best years. Feeling like a brand new artist, this album will take you on a journey where we touch upon love, heartbreak, triumphs, spirituality, substance abuse, narcissism, despair, and of course hope. All of the energy on this album is what the world goes through everyday, sometimes…”

Artistry is about creativity. Burton Toney’s got a lot of it in him. He possesses a natural knack for stage performance and when he visits Tobago in a few weeks for Tobago Carnival, he’ll give ‘dem’ performance at any opportunity. The entertainer who performed in the 90’s with big names in the Soca music industry like Ronnie McIntosh, Kurt Allen, Knycky Cordner and Destra Garcia, recently unleashed a brand new single called, ‘Leave’ and just like that, he’s back in the mix.

Toney’s taking it slow as he assesses the music scene, but with tremendous experience on his side, he’s using his talent and wisdom to help others. “I returned to Tobago and realized that a lot of the younger artistes were looking up to me. I’ve invested in two female artistes in Tobago. I’ve executive produced for them because I felt the need to give back – to be like a mentor to them,” he said.

He was born and grew up in Signal Hill, attended Signal Hill Secondary School and understands music well. He was first exposed to performance art when John Arnold introduced him to performing with the Illuminate Choir in Tobago. “In Trinidad, some time later, I was a part of a band called, Eclipse. As luck would have it, the big band, Atlantik with Knycky Cordner and Kurt Allen, was looking for extra vocals for Carnival Monday and Tuesday on the road.” That was the beginning of a career turning point for Toney, as he would become a part of Atlantik, touring the Caribbean with the band and working with several artistes over time.

In 2005, Burton Toney left Trinidad and Tobago for Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was expecting his first child. “My son is now 21- years- old,” he told Ebuzztt, noting that when he migrated, music remained a big part of his life. “I continued doing music for a bit. I started with family. Meghan Trainor is my neice-in-law and I worked with her on building her confidence. She was extremely talented and I told folks, she could really sing,” he recalled. Trainor is now an internationally recognized superstar. The family moved to California in 2016 and life happened. “Between family and work life, I was completely distracted from music, but then three years ago, a couple of my friends said to me, ‘Burton it’s time to get off the shelf and get back to music.”

Back in Business

Songwriter Jason ‘Shaft ‘ Bishop was the man who’d initially work alongside Burton as he made his moves to get back onto the Soca scene. “Shaft and I worked on two songs, ‘Someday and ‘ Lockdown.’ That’s when I returned to Tobago after so many years and experienced Tobago Carnival. I knew I had to get involved in it,” he said. Since that time, Burton has been working on new material, reigniting his spark and pushing into a niche market, as he sees it. “I have two songs completed so far this year – ‘ Leave’ and ‘Only One.’ When I re-emerged three years ago, I reminded those who remembered me of my performance style and the women loved it. I made a decision then and there to focus on that demographic – mature women and couples – giving women the music and performance they can move to and enjoy, and giving men the lyrics and melody they can sing into their lady’s ear,” said the entertainer.

Burton Tony’s music is groovy but includes a certain attitude that calls out to the audience, reaching deep into the fire that burns in them. “I want to concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other. That’s my specialty I think.”

Turning to Tobago

No matter what, this man of great experience will always give his audience a show. “Destra used to tell me, the yard could be empty, you still run out like there are thousands of people and that’s the mentality I have. Everybody has a smartphone and you’re being seen more than ever now. You always have to give it full 100 per cent,” said Toney.

As the focus turns to Tobago in the month ahead, Burton says he hopes the organization will do what it needs to, to ensure Tobago’s artistes benefit from the island’s showcase over the next few weeks. “The Carnival market is very saturated and the organizers will always bring big artistes from around the Caribbean, but one of the things I would love for Tobago is exposure and visibility for the artistes of Tobago – offering them a chance to be seen and heard; That would be respectful of the people of Tobago.”

Excited to once again come back home, Burton says his family will be with him this year and with his new singles in hand, he’s ready to bring good energy and pure vibes to Tobago. ” ‘Leave’ is one of those songs that speaks to the women. It was produced by Andy Davis – an incredible Tobagonian producer and written by Guyana’s Dickisha Mpilla, who’s based in California,” he said.

‘Only You’ is Burtons second release for Tobago and wherever else the road takes him. “I don’t ever think about how difficult the journey might be. I concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other, and that is ultimately my goal. It’s not about competing with anyone else. I’m just about great music, stage presence and big energy.”

Ready for Tobago Carnival – a calendar staple now, which climaxes between October 29th and October31st, Burton Toney is returning with an open mind and great aspirations. “My son told me he’s proud of me after he saw one of my performances in Tobago last year. He had never seen my performance and he was totally surprised. He says he likes the music and that’s real success, to me.”

Pleased with the feedback he’s been receiving since releasing the music, the artiste promises nothing less that his 100 per cent on any stage. He’s the type of guy to leave it all on stage, and in a saturated market, that attitude could be the difference between Burton Toney and every other artiste on the scene.