Lil CheeZie Isn’t Waiting for the Spotlight — He’s Building His Own Lane in Canada’s Underground Scene

Hailey Bell
Apr 25
5 min read

Name: Calvin Cassell

Location: (St. Johns / Newfoundland)

Talent Name: Lil CheeZie

Category: Hip Hop Artist

💬 INTRODUCTION

I’m from Roddickton, Newfoundland, up on the Northern Peninsula. Right now, I work full-time as a fuel truck service technician, but I’m pushing toward building a career in a creative space where I can actually bring my ideas to life.

I started teaching myself music when I was about eight years old, but over the last two years I’ve really stepped into the hip-hop scene. I also experiment with other genres along the way.

My fan base is small, and my support circle is even smaller—but that doesn’t matter to me. At the end of the day, I’m doing this because I have to. It keeps me grounded in a world where not much makes sense. Money runs things, fame is a fantasy, and this is something real I can hold onto. I do this for myself and for people who think like me.

🔥 THE PASSION

What really sparked it for me was how accessible music has become. You can literally fit a studio into a duffle bag now, and that kind of simplicity works for me.

I always wanted to release music and learn how to build a full song on my own, but for a long time it felt out of reach. There wasn’t a local studio, I didn’t have people around me chasing the same thing, and financially it just wasn’t realistic. So I just kept going day by day, working different jobs and trying to figure things out.

Eventually, I came across a Focusrite setup—probably through an ad or another creator—and that changed everything. That’s still what I use today.

With some basic knowledge, DistroKid, and support from my circle and Progressive Entertainment, I’ve been able to finally lock in and start creating consistently across multiple areas. 🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

Canada really is a place where people come together and lift each other up, and I’ve experienced that firsthand. Creators have helped me get to where I am right now, and I don’t take that for granted. I’m grateful to live somewhere I have the freedom to be myself and create without limits.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

This year, 2026, I’m tapping in and laying down as much content as I can. From recent videos to new music that shows my versatility, I’m not slowing down.

In 2025, after being introduced to UHRS1 and seeing the local talent firsthand, I stepped on stage for the first time. I started as a feature, but since then I’ve performed at multiple events downtown St. John’s and found my place in that scene. I’ve also been nominated for Upcoming Artist of the Year alongside six other talented artists, which means a lot.

You can catch me May 7th, 8th, and 9th at upcoming shows representing Progressive Ent, UHRS1, and other collaborations and collectives.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

I’d love to collaborate with any artists who are willing to work—whether that’s musically, visually, through graphics, photography, or production. I just like connecting.

I’ve always got different ideas coming up, and I can adapt to pretty much any kind of creator—even a foodie, honestly. I’m Lil CheeZie haha. I encourage anyone to reach out, connect, or just check out what I’m doing and show support.

📌 CLOSING

Right now, I’m working on a couple of different projects—one with more soft, acoustic elements, and another that leans into a harder, new-age rap sound with my usual style mixed in.

Even I can’t fully predict what’s coming next. My process is spontaneous—I don’t always know what I’m creating until it’s already made.

What I do know is that I’m staying consistent, continuing to work with new artists, and building with the ones I already have around me.

I’m just grateful for everyone that’s been sent my way.

☄️ COMETS QUESTIONS

COMET: Is there a song you’ve made that surprised you the most? What made it feel different?

LIL CHEEZIE: About halfway through my journey to where I am now, I put together a punk-style instrumental out of pure boredom and created TORN PAGES in a couple hours from scratch. It was my first time trying that style, and it just came together naturally.

COMET: Are you someone who finds a beat first, or do you start with lyrics or a concept?

LIL CHEEZIE: I usually find a sound first—something has to catch my ear. If it doesn’t, I won’t release it. Once I find that sound and tempo, I find a pocket and start thinking, singing, or rapping until something forms.

I like having a theme or topic while writing, but I still surprise myself every time.

COMET: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

LIL CHEEZIE: Never quit. Even when I’m struggling to create, I’ll step away—breathe, play some strings, sit in silence. Whether it comes back in an hour or a week, I know it’s coming.

At some point, I fall back into that loop and get hooked again. And honestly, other people’s opinions don’t bother me. If they did, I wouldn’t be making the music I make today.

COMET: If you could give 10-year-old you one piece of advice, what would it be?

LIL CHEEZIE: Don’t try to accommodate yourself for someone else. It’s your art—your craft.

Constructive criticism is fine, but destructive criticism? That’s just more fuel. They’re still talking about it.

Don’t give up.

COMET: What’s a track of yours that deserved more attention?

LIL CHEEZIE: ZONE OUT for sure. The whole Zoning Out project pushed me into this scene, but that track specifically helped me realize what I’m capable of. It showed me that sometimes a simpler song can hit harder than something overly complex.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNT4EZfDIA

COMET: When recording, are you chasing perfection or raw emotion?

LIL CHEEZIE: Definitely raw.

From out-of-pitch autotune to completely uncorrected vocals, it depends on the style—but I let my real self come through, flaws and all.

I don’t have the most expensive setup or pro-level editing skills, but I make the most of what I’ve got and make sure it still hits.

COMET: What goes through your mind right before releasing a track?

LIL CHEEZIE: At first, I overthought everything. I even scrapped songs from my Zoning Out era because I didn’t see the potential. But now, I’m in a better headspace. I just release what I feel. Good feedback, bad feedback, or none at all—it doesn’t matter anymore.

COMET: Do you prefer working alone or with others?

LIL CHEEZIE: I mostly work alone—I’m more confident that way. I get anxious creating around people, even though I perform publicly. But at the same time, the energy and feedback from a full room is unbeatable.

COMET: What’s one habit that keeps you consistent?

LIL CHEEZIE: My notes app. If it was a physical button, it’d be worn out. Every idea—wordplay, rhymes, anything—I write it down. I’m basically building songs before I even have a beat.

COMET: Have you ever made a track that was hard to release?

LIL CHEEZIE: Honestly, no. My music touches on real life, fantasy, struggles—whatever I want. If someone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to listen. I’ve been told to suppress my passion before, and now I refuse to do that. I’m going all in.

COMET: What are you working on that will show a different side of you?

LIL CHEEZIE: Definitely the acoustic project I mentioned. But honestly, everything I drop shows a different side. I don’t really have limits, and every new piece feels like opening another window.