What’s Next for Deffine: New Music, Momentum, and the Business Behind More Than Murder Records

Name: Deffine

Location: Edmonton, Ab

Business Name: More Than Murder Records 

Website: www.morethanmurder.com 

Category: Musician 

💬 INTRODUCTION

I’m Deffine, a rap artist born in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and the founder of More Than Murder Records. I handle nearly every part of my music myself — recording, production, visuals, video, and everything in between. Over the years, I’ve performed hundreds of shows across Canada, and each stage has played a role in shaping who I am as an artist and a performer.

My creative journey started as a way to process the world around me — a form of expression that helped me get things off my chest. What began as personal therapy grew into something bigger: a movement built on hustle, creativity, and real-life experience. For me, this isn’t just music. It’s a lifestyle, a mission, and a reflection of everything I’ve lived through.

🔥 THE PASSION

I was drawn to hip hop because of its raw honesty — the way it tells the truth without filtering or pretending. It felt real, relatable, and grounded in lived experience. Hearing that kind of transparency pushed me to tell my own story and turn my personal thoughts and experiences into lyrics.

As I started writing, the music became more powerful. Every song turned into a reflection of my life, my perspective, and where I was at in that moment. Hip hop didn’t just influence my sound — it gave me a voice.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

To me, being a Canadian creative means pushing through and representing where I’m from, no matter how challenging the scene can be. I love this country, but coming up as a rapper here isn’t always easy. Hip-hop doesn’t have the same level of industry support in Canada as it does in the U.S., and real, consistent fans can be hard to come by.

That said, Edmonton has been a solid place for hip-hop. I moved here at 18 chasing music, and the city welcomed me with open arms. Like any scene, there’s hate and differences, but that’s part of what makes it real. The hip-hop community here is built on respect, hard work, and authenticity — nothing is handed to you. You earn your place.

Growing here taught me how to stand out, stay true to myself, and build something from the ground up. That’s what being Canadian means to me: resilience, unity, and pride in where I come from. Hip-hop is global, and I’m proud to represent it from this part of the world.

📈 BUILDING THE BUISNESS

From a business standpoint, my path has been a bit different. Spending time in the studio and seeing every step that goes into making a record opened my eyes to how much there really is to learn. In this industry, the more you can do for yourself, the better off you are — creatively and financially. Music isn’t a cheap hobby. Developing multiple skills and understanding the full production process has been essential, not just for growth, but for long-term sustainability.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

It’s hard to pick just one standout moment — I’ve been luckier than most. From leaving my hometown to rocking stages across the country, I’ve had the chance to perform alongside some of my idols — the same people I grew up admiring and still look up to today. Along the way, I’ve built lifelong friendships and lived out more dreams than I ever imagined.

But nothing — and I mean nothing — compares to the moment my sons truly connected with one of my songs for the first time. I always thought I was my toughest critic, but no matter what I created, I could never seem to impress them. Seeing them vibe to something I made hit differently. Time slowed down, and in that moment, I remembered exactly why I started doing this in the first place.

It gave me a rare, unforgettable feeling of being complete — the kind of feeling some people never get to experience.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

When it comes to potential collaborations with other Canadian artists, honestly, if I’m picking from Canada, I don’t see much that feels out of reach. I’d be looking for those big-ticket collaborations — like Merk or Drake — someone with an established fanbase already. There’s a lot of talent here, and I’m already working with the ones that stand out to me. If someone doesn’t recognize what’s real, that just tells me I’ve got more work to do. So I’m going to keep stepping my game up until there’s no ignoring it.

🚨 CLOSING

What’s next for me is momentum. Me and Pooky G are dropping our Powerhouse album Feburary 2026, and it’s going to be wild. I just dropped my If I Stay Awake album and I’ve been working nonstop.

More Than Murder is on — and has been on.

Are you ready?

COMETS QUESTIONS

COMET: What’s the origin story behind the name “Deffine”? What does it represent for you as an artist?

Deffine: The name Deffine is a reflection of my creativity and originality — being 100% myself with nothing held back. The extra “F” represents the uniqueness and distinction I bring to my art. It’s about doing things my way, defining life and music on my own terms, pushing boundaries, and leaving a lasting mark while standing out from the rest.

COMET: How would you describe the core of your sound — the message or feeling you want listeners to walk away with?

Deffine: There isn’t a single core to my sound. Every track carries its own message and emotion. I change flows, tones, structures, and wordplay depending on what the beat is telling me. I don’t just write — I lock in. I let the sound guide my thoughts and become one with the instruments. The beat and the vocals hit together as one force.

COMET: When you sit down to create, what usually sparks the first idea — a beat, a lyric, a vibe, or something totally unexpected?

Deffine: There’s no fixed order. Sometimes a beat sparks lyrics, sometimes lyrics demand a certain vibe, and sometimes it’s something completely unpredictable. Trying not to think just makes you think more, so instead of fighting it, I guide my thoughts and let them move naturally.

Let’s just call it a vibe.

COMET: Every artist hits obstacles — what’s one major challenge you’ve faced in your music journey, and how did you transform it into progress?

Deffine: One of my biggest challenges was self-doubt. I questioned whether my sound was unique enough or if I could really make an impact. Early on, I compared myself to artists who had already “made it,” and that only held me back.

The turning point was realizing I needed to carve my own path instead of measuring myself against others. Once I embraced that mindset, self-doubt turned into motivation, and growth followed.

COMET: If you had to pick one track that best reflects your drive and identity, which one is it — and why?

Deffine: If I had to pick one, it would be Letter to Myself.

It’s raw and honest — about feeling defeated, trying, failing, and not getting a happy ending. And honestly, neither does life. Everyone wants a Disney ending, but it rarely works that way. Ask me tomorrow and I might give a different answer. My music is all me — it just depends which version of me you get.

COMET: How do you stay connected with your community and supporters?

Deffine: I’m out there — at shows, events, on stage, and even in the crowd. I’m online across all platforms, keeping it real with my supporters. As long as you’re watching,

I’m watching back.

COMET: What’s something surprising fans might not know about you?

Deffine: I’ve got multiple personalities, so I apologize in advance if you catch me in the “wrong” one. Each has its own quirks, interests, and ways of expressing itself — it keeps life and performances unpredictable.

COMET: When it comes to collaborations, what helps you decide who gets on a track with you?

Deffine: Skill comes first. I love hip-hop for its lyrics, so I look for people who can really write — punchlines, hard bars, and flows that complete a track. Be real. Don’t be a goof. I don’t care what you look like — I care about how you rap and whether you stand by what you say. There’s a line in hip-hop — don’t cross it.

COMET: What advice would you give young Canadian artists chasing music dreams?

Deffine: Go all in. Treat every verse and every beat like the rent is due. Stay authentic and don’t half-ass your craft. Take advice from people you respect, but don’t be afraid to push past your comfort zone. Be different. Work harder than everyone else. Build a strong brand. Create visuals, stay active on social media, and embrace new tools — AI is here, so learn how to use it properly.

You will mess up, and that’s okay. That’s how you learn. Just be smart and study both successes and mistakes so you can grow faster.

COMET: If you had zero limits — full creative freedom and resources — what would your ultimate dream project look like?

Deffine: It would never end.

FINAL TAKEAWAY FROM DEFFINE:

My new album If I Stay Awake is out now on all platforms. There are also multiple new music videos out — with more on the way. Merch, beats, free downloads, and more are all available at: 👉 https://www.morethanmurder.com