Scarborough’s GRABBZ is continuing to turn his independent grind into chart results.
The Toronto rapper’s latest single, “Lighta Lighta” featuring DJ Oshawn, reached No. 11 on the Canadian iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart, adding another milestone to a growing run of independently released music.
The placement follows “I Do This,” which reached No. 12 on the Canadian iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart, along with “Toonies Loonies,” which previously climbed to No. 5 on the Canadian iTunes chart.
For an artist who built his name in Toronto long before his music started charting, the latest result represents another chapter in an unconventional path.
GRABBZ first became known through entrepreneurship. As the founder of Hotgrabbz, he developed a recognizable local brand and became known to customers and supporters as “The Grabba Man.”
That experience gave him an early education in something every independent artist eventually has to understand: having a product is only part of the equation. Building an audience, creating an identity and knowing how to market directly to people can be just as important.
GRABBZ eventually carried that mentality into music.
Rather than treating independence as simply releasing songs without a label, he approached his career with the same ownership mindset he developed through business. He invested in his own releases, built his brand and continued developing a catalog without waiting for traditional industry backing.
His music has since accumulated more than one million streams across platforms, with a catalog that includes “Nasty,” “Free Game,” “I Hustle Baby,” “Toonies Loonies,” “I Do This” and “Lighta Lighta.”
His background also extends beyond performing. GRABBZ studied music engineering, allowing him to develop an understanding of recording and production while becoming more involved in the process behind his records.
On “Lighta Lighta,” GRABBZ teams up with DJ Oshawn for a record that trades some of the heavier hustle themes of his previous releases for a more energetic and celebratory atmosphere.
The song takes its title from the familiar request for a light and expands the idea into a metaphor for energy and presence. Driven by a direct hook, the record was created with the kind of immediacy that can translate from headphones and cars to parties and live performances.
Its No. 11 Canadian iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart placement also continues a run that suggests GRABBZ’s audience is growing release by release.
For GRABBZ, that progression remains closely connected to where everything started.
“Hotgrabbz taught me how to build a brand, understand my audience and put my own money behind what I believe in,” GRABBZ says. “I brought that same mentality into the music. Every chart position shows that the work is connecting, but I still feel like the bigger story is just beginning.”
From building a business in Toronto to putting multiple records on the Canadian iTunes charts, GRABBZ has continued to bet on ownership and consistency.
With “Lighta Lighta” now adding a No. 11 placement to that story, the Scarborough artist is giving listeners another reason to pay attention to what comes next.
“Lighta Lighta” featuring DJ Oshawn is available now on major streaming platforms.
Music, videos and more from GRABBZ are available at thisisgrabbz.com.
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