Inside the Mind of Pollyfree — Edmonton’s Genre-Bending Rap Artist

Hailey Bell
Dec 6, 2025
7 min read

Name: Zachary Polly

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Talent Name: Pollyfree

Category: Musician / Rapper

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollyfreeofficial

💬 INTRODUCTION

My name is Zachary Polly, otherwise known as Pollyfree 🦜. I’m a rapper, singer-songwriter, and entertainer from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

My creative journey started young — dance classes, piano lessons, and guitar all played a huge role early on. That love for music in every form eventually grew into a passion for hip-hop when I was just eight years old. My mom bought me a Grammy showcase album that featured Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” and from that moment on, everything changed.

🔥 THE PASSION

I always messed around with rapping as a kid, but things really took shape when I entered high school and started meeting people with the same passion. My first rap battle happened on the second day of Grade 10 at AOB High School in Edmonton, and everything grew from that moment.

I kept recording myself at home for years until I eventually moved to Winnipeg, MB, where I met one of my best friends and producer extraordinaire, HOOPALOOP (Ron Hooper). Once I started working with Hoops and Trendkill Productions, the path became clear — and the rest is truly history.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world and extremely under represented in the hiphop industry. We have one of the most diverse cultures and that really helped shape me as an artist. I listen to everything.... From symphonic singers like Aurora, to metal bands like Slipknot. From rappers like Big Krit, Logic, Aesop Rock, 6lack, Yelawolf and J.I.D to country artist like Blake Shelton and Bailey Zimmerman. From the Michael Frantis to the Major Lazer and Otyken's, having a wide range of musical loves based off what people around me are listening to, and radios are playing, helped me develop into a well rounded artist.

I hope to represent Canada on a somewhat global scale one day, to show people we have a lot to offer, that they haven't ever seen before. It would be a dream of mine to help other smaller Canadian artists catch their big break.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

Working with some of my favourite artists on collaborative tracks has been a huge highlight of my journey. One major milestone for me personally was collaborating with Junk out of BC — that was a moment I won’t forget.

I’ve also had the chance to open for artists I never imagined I’d share a stage with, including Snak The Ripper, Merkules, Kung Fu Vampire, Locksmith, and Apathy/Celph Titled.

I’ve released a full album and an EP, with my second full album scheduled for early 2026. These are all things I used to only dream about when I started. There were many times I didn’t think I’d make it this far, so every step forward means something to me.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

Right now, I’d love to work with some incredible Canadian artists — K-OS, Mo Dirt, Hungry, D-Sisive, and Quake Matthews are all at the top of my list. One day, I hope to collaborate with every Canadian artist I grew up listening to, like Sweatshop Union, Snak the Ripper, Merkules, and Classified. That would be a full-circle moment for me.

But I know it takes time and consistency. So for now, I’m focused on putting in the work — pushing content, improving my craft, and earning those collaborations when the moment comes.

⚡️ CLOSING

Shotty Millz and I both have albums dropping in 2026, and we’re planning local shows to promote them, along with a mini AB/BC tour. I’m also getting new merchandise printed with my updated logo — both for giveaways and for sale.

The biggest focus right now is the release of “Polymorph.” It’s about 80% complete, and once a few collaborators send in their parts, it’ll be fully ready to go.

I’m also filming two major music videos — “Western Rapper” and “Space Invaders” — to drop in alignment with the album release. Be on the lookout for this project in the new year. Follow me on social media for show announcements, new music, and merch drops.

2026 will be my greatest year yet.

COMETS QUESTIONS

COMET: What first drew you to rap, and which moment made you say “I’m doing this for real”?

POLLYFREE: Eminem is what first pulled me into rap. His song “Lose Yourself” shaped my young mind in a way I can only describe as broken — in the best way possible. At this point, rapping feels like a secondary instinct. Half the time it feels like I’m dissociating when I write. The moment I realized I could become someone people wouldn’t forget was when I opened for Merkules in Brandon, MB with my friends Dilajintz (Texas) and Paragon (R.I.P). The venue was sold out, and it was one of my first major opening slots. That night took my performance level to a whole new place and taught me a lot.

COMET: How does your experience in Edmonton — the streets, the culture, the people — show up in your music?

POLLYFREE: I grew up in a good neighbourhood until I was about 16. Then I turned into a giant stoner — something my mom wasn’t willing to tolerate. I ended up living with a buddy’s grandparents, then met his older brother and eventually moved into a flop/trap house. Those experiences, along with the trauma that came with them, shaped my writing. My style is a blend of high-level poetry, street stories, and deep personal reflection. That combination is Pollyfree.

COMET: When people listen to you, what story do you hope they walk away with? What emotions do you want to leave behind?

POLLYFREE: It depends on the project. My first album “Gakusei” was all about storytelling — giving listeners a deep look into my mind and my life. My EP R.N.B (Real No Bullshit) is filled with love songs meant to uplift and show how my heart works. Overall, I just want people to feel something, whatever that emotion might be.

COMET: Every rapper hits roadblocks. What’s one challenge you didn’t expect on this journey, and how did you push through?

POLLYFREE: People suck — plain and simple. There are a lot of rappers out there, and many let their egos take over. Instead of building each other up and creating community, I’ve faced a lot of resistance. Some of that is on me — I can be a powder keg ready to explode — but most of the issues come from jealousy and ego. On top of that, everything in this industry is expensive. Proper recording, merch, videos — none of it is cheap. Grants exist, but getting one without a professional grant writer is tough… and hiring one also costs money. If I had unlimited cash, I’d never stop writing and releasing songs.

COMET: Beyond the mic — what else are you involved in?

POLLYFREE: I’m an avid outdoorsman — I love hunting, fishing, and camping. I also box and train MMA. Outside of music, my biggest passions are work and my animals. My girlfriend and I have two big dogs and a cat, and we’ve been waiting to get a dumpy frog. I’ve always been someone who loves being around animals and nature.

COMET: Alberta’s hip-hop scene is unique — how has being an Alberta artist shaped your grind and identity?

POLLYFREE: Canada is massive, but our population isn’t — and Alberta really only has two major cities. Because of that, you have to shine brighter if you want to make a name. You have to travel, perform, and hit new markets if you want enough fans to build a real career. Alberta is a mix of cowboys, oil workers, and city folks, and you have to think about what they connect with. I’m Berta through and through.

COMET: Which track or project best represents who you are right now, and why that one?

POLLYFREE: “Art of Mind” — produced by Deez Waxx — is the best representation of where I’m at right now. It showcases my writing, my flow, and the effort I put into crafting something real.

COMET: When you’re getting ready to perform or record, what ritual or routine gets you locked into the zone?

POLLYFREE: I smoke a bong bowl before I leave the house, have one drink at the venue to calm my nerves, talk to as many new people as possible before going on stage, and then give everything I have when I perform — aiming to make a statement people won’t forget.

That’s my ritual every single time.

COMET: Travel can shift perspective. Have any shows or trips outside Edmonton influenced your creativity in a big way?

POLLYFREE: I used to battle rap and have traveled to Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Kelowna for events. Every city has a unique audience, and that experience helps you learn which songs hit universally versus which ones are more regional. That knowledge has been huge for my growth as an artist.

COMET: As you continue to rep Alberta on the road, what’s a big milestone or destination you’re aiming for next?

POLLYFREE: Next year, I want to tour AB/BC with the homie Shotty Millz — hitting Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Drayton Valley, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Golden, Vancouver, Whistler, and Abbotsford. It would be the perfect way to promote both of our albums dropping in 2026. The idea is already on the table — now it’s time to get the wheels in motion and make it real.