Christina Martin

Emerging Canadian artist Skip Waiters is this week releasing his new song "Die Always."

The standout track, which is born out of a struggle, is premiering today on Variance. It's the latest from the Toronto-based rapper, who draws from influences such as Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and ScHoolboy Q, and he easily finds himself sharing a lane with such acts, with his confident flow and earnest lyricism. The song is from his upcoming debut mixtape Personal Stereo, which is out May 21.

"Being born dead, having to be brought back to life and being told I wasn’t going to be a normal kid growing up due to birth complications," recalls Waiters. "Living in Toronto and having my neighbor shot and killed right in front of my house. My family being in metro housing and having to use couches from outside for our living room — it’s a song about struggle, but still being able to find the silver lining."

Hear "Die Always" below.