The release marks Nigel Bell's third album. (Photo by Brandon White)

By Derek Cornet

hip hop

Bell dedicates new album to late musician

Jun 20, 2024 | 2:47 PM

Northern Saskatchewan musician Nigel Bell, who performs under the name Nige B, is releasing his new hip hop album U R What U R Volume 2 on Friday.

“It’s a continuation of Volume 1,” Bell explained.

“It is kind of the same vibe, a lot of the same artists as well, but we have a couple new ones like Multiszn and Dubbygotbars. The only thing that’s a little bit different is the song I did Remarkable, which kind of has a sythwaves vibe to it. In my opinion, it is my favourite song on Volume 2 and it has summer vibes.”

The new album is being described as a masterful blend of introspection, innovation and cultural fusion. It’s an album that not only showcases Bell’s growth as an artist, but also his ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.

Other collaborators on the new album, which will be released on all major platforms on Friday, are Artifice, The Visionary, BrayneZee, Awon, Olawale and Txreek.

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“I think people will enjoy Volume 2 a bit more than Volume 1 because it’s a mixture of genres and the collaborators just did an amazing job,” Bell explained.

“Artifice, The Visionary, who I work with the most out of all my collaborators and on Volume 2, he just did an amazing job and I’m very proud of all the work he has done on this record, and I’m super excited for everyone to hear it.”

The album art for U R What U R Volume 2. (Photo by Brandon White)

U R What U R Volume 2 is being dedicated to the late Billy Ray Roy of La Ronge, who passed away on June 15. In Bell’s career as an artist, he noted himself and Roy go all the way back to their Capitoline Escape Days working together in Roy’s mother’s basement.

“We were chasing the dream together,” Bell said.

“We had plans to start recording a new album together. We just had that conversation on my birthday, which is on June 2. We were really hyped about getting back together and back into songwriting. He was planning on getting some new gear. He was pretty pumped about it. He heard every song on Volume 2 before anyone else and he really loved the album, so I am dedicating this album to him and his family.”

U R What U R Volume 1 was nominated for three Saskatchewan Music Awards (SMA) in 2023. Bell was named the SMA Instrumental Artist of the Year in 2022.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com