Kardinal Offishall Enlists Star-Studded Lineup for Firestarter Vol. 2

The Jamaican-Canadian veteran returns with his first album in over a decade, bringing together Buju Banton, Idris Elba, Konshens, T-Pain, Black Thought and more, while “feeling like a brand new artist.”

Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall (Photo: O'shane Howard)

Pioneering Canadian rapper, producer and record executive Kardinal Offishall has released his sixth solo studio album, Firestarter Vol. 2: Everyday, Sometimes, marking his first album in more than a decade.

Released through his own Black Stone Colleagues label, the 10-track project boasts an international lineup, including Grammy-winning reggae legend Buju Banton, acclaimed English actor and recording artiste Idris Elba, dancehall star Konshens, rising reggae artiste NESTA, Canadian R&B singer Melanie Fiona, along with T-Pain, Black Thought, Stove God Cooks, Glenn Lewis, BJ The Chicago Kid and more.

Kardinal sets the tone with the declaration, “If you ever wanted to know what a hustler’s ambition sounds like, it sounds like this!” The album blends hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and R&B while reflecting his Jamaican-Canadian roots and more than three decades in music.

One of the project’s standout collaborations, “Top 3,” featuring Buju Banton and Idris Elba, connects Toronto, Jamaica and London on a heavyweight dancehall track.

Elsewhere, Black Thought and Stove God Cooks join Kardinal on “40 Acres and a Ferrari,” while T-Pain, Konshens and Cipha Sounds team up on the energetic “All Nighter.” Longtime collaborator Glenn Lewis appears on the R&B-driven “Kiss Me When I.”

Melanie Fiona, the album’s only female guest, lends her vocals to the soulful “When You’re In Love,” which explores the highs and lows of relationships. Rising talent NESTA appears on “My Brother’s Keeper Part 2,” while Kardinal reunites with Idris Elba on “Bombay Sunsets.” BJ The Chicago Kid closes the project on the inspirational title track, “Everyday, Sometimes.”

“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.”

Reflecting on his journey, Kardinal 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.”

He further added, “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…”