While most rappers are rapping about partying, dancing, and multiple relationships in your video for “The Return,” you’re rapping about not being able to sleep well for years and 1980s horror films. Why is that?

It’s because it’s the truth. Trying to thrive in a major city like Toronto is tough work. I’ve had issues sleeping over the years and thought others could relate. I’m just grateful I earn a decent living; I’m 44 and have optimal blood pressure. I also love 80’s horror movies.

How was PlexiGlass Park received so far?

It’s cool. I sold CDs before it went digital. Fans have liked tracks most that I didn’t think they would like: Break North and Habitat. I make the music based on what the fans and I want to hear. And then when I ask them what they like, sometimes the responses are unexpected. I know where I’m at. My last music video did 1,340 views in a month. But across Worldstar and YouTube as a whole, I have over 541,000 views as of today.

I’ve got 41 monthly Spotify listeners. I look at those numbers and try to enhance and get better. But ultimately I record Hip Hop cause I love it and have a lot to say and express. I want to teach ppl about vision, health, expression, responsibility, teamwork, and not taking any disrespect from anyone. On PlexiGlass Park, I talk about life. Being betrayed by friends I’ve known for over ten years. Only to rise up within the last two years. Someone pulled some really bugged-out thing on me, but I handled it and grew from it. It was business-related, and over time I earned more money, and I’m in a better position now.

Which artists continue to inspire you?

Kool Keith, Premier, G Rap, Doug E Fresh, Redman, Krs One, Jeru the Damaja, The Rolling Stones, D.R.I, Megadeth, Metallica, Neil Young. So many. Egon Schiele, Basquiat, Banksy, My Mom she’s an incredible chef.

How’s your sobriety going?

I quit alcohol for ten years from 2015-2025 cause I hated hangovers. I saved a significant amount of money by not drinking, invested that into stocks, and earned some good capital gains instead of poisoning my body. Quitting alcohol gave me a boost and advantage in life. Over the last ten years, I’ve released 5 new albums, 11 new music videos, and a film that was released on DVD and submitted to the Toronto and Cannes Film Festivals. And I went to Las Vegas, Arizona, and California over 9 times in those ten years. I invite anyone to calculate the financial gain you would have by quitting any substance like drinking alcohol. Multiply that by ten years and add a low but secure gain of 2% a year – the math will show. It’s all there.

You’ll have major financial benefits from stopping something like buying and consuming alcohol. And more importantly – health benefits. Both mind and body. After those ten years, I admittedly have had some beer. 3 or six beers at a time. Trying to gauge what amount would work for me in moderation. It seems to be 2 cans of Budweisers at a time once in a blue moon. But it still doesn’t work for me. I’d rather go on my exercise bike, eat well, and have a coffee. That has me in optimal condition. I may very well quit for another ten years. Beer doesn’t add to the quality of my life as, say, a new book I’m hyped about does.

What are you happy about now in your life?

My Mom. The fact I’m still passionate about making music. The fact that I’ve been rhyming about facts and truths themselves for over 24 years. That’s why people can look back at my 2006 video for Laughing in Toronto and see Yonge Street filmed at that time. With Funland arcade still there and everything. Most of what I’ve created has been raw and factual. Because my music always dealt with the truth and facts, even the old work stays relevant decades later. I’m also happy that I’ve been managing Cataphonic Productions for 24 years now, and I’m excited for my upcoming work. I’m happy about achieving goals, new opportunities, my health, feeling motivated, and enjoying the process along the way. I love the city of Toronto and showing it how I experience it. I was born here in 1981 after all.

Any shout outs?

Yes, all of the Blud Broz, Mortuario, Patstaybusy, These Escapists, Adam, Andre, Mad Russian, Chuggo, Claddy Clad, Quest from undergroundhiphop.com, Mavriq and The Memberz. Kuna, Makzwell Skot, Moreno Zulu, Vanessa Mia, Kaleba, Chakra, Kuna, MC Vizion, whole BanDzz, anyone going for their dreams and breaking haters’ jaws along the way, Corey, Clementina, Zeimo, Jimmie, 06raraa, Moncef, 20scene,  Az80, Alanna, all my friends and family, you know who you are. The owners and managers of Dapcity. Thank you. “Hey yo Carlos!”

Stream Admiral Crumple’s new album Plexiglass Park on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Apple Music, applemusic, and all other major digital service providers.

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