Belly: The Canadian Hip-Hop and R&B Storyteller

Belly is a Palestinian-Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his introspective lyricism and atmospheric production. Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, he achieved mainstream success with his 2015 mixtape "Up for Days" and later earned a Grammy nomination for co-writing The Weeknd's multi-platinum hit "Blinding Lights".

Early career

Born Ahmad Balshe in 1984 in Jenin, Palestine, his family moved to Ottawa, Canada when he was a child. He began his music career in the mid-2000s, releasing independent albums like "The Revolution" (2007) which garnered regional attention and led to a deal with Capital Prophets Records.

Breakthrough

Belly's major breakthrough arrived in 2015 after signing with XO Records, the label founded by The Weeknd. His mixtape "Up for Days" and its follow-up "Drugs" gained critical acclaim for their dark, melodic sound, leading to a joint venture with Roc Nation in 2016.

Key tracks

Might Not — This 2015 single featuring The Weeknd became a platinum-certified hit, peaking at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and introducing Belly to a global audience.

What You Want — A standout track from "Up for Days," it exemplifies his signature blend of moody production and candid storytelling about street life and ambition.

Zero Love — Released in 2020, this track showcased a more polished, radio-ready sound and addressed themes of betrayal and resilience in his career.

Better Believe — Featured on his 2021 album "See You Next Wednesday," this collaboration with The Weeknd and Young Thug demonstrated his high-profile industry connections and hit-making ability.

His 2018 album "Immigrant" debuted at number 3 on the Canadian Albums Chart and featured the gold single "Maintain" featuring NAV. Beyond his own recordings, Belly has become a sought-after songwriter, penning tracks for major artists like Beyoncé, Travis Scott, and Lil Wayne.

His stylistic approach shares common ground with other Canadian artists who blend moody atmospherics with hip-hop and R&B. The Weeknd shares a label and a penchant for dark, cinematic pop and R&B. Nav explores similar themes of success and introspection over hazy, trap-influenced production. PartyNextDoor operates in the same sphere of emotive, genre-blending Canadian R&B. 88Glam also delivers a stylish fusion of rap and melodic hooks within the XO Records ecosystem.

Belly's catalog receives regular airplay on a variety of formats, from major market urban contemporary and rhythmic radio stations to online streams dedicated to modern hip-hop and Canadian content. His Grammy-nominated songwriting credits ensure his influence extends beyond his own performances.

Listeners can explore the nuanced discography of Belly, from his early mixtapes to his charting albums, through the radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to hear his impactful tracks and collaborations across our curated selection of hip-hop and R&B stations.