Artist Feature · October 9, 2026

Artist Feature: Chikoruss Wants R&B Back on the Dance Floor

The Montreal singer wanted to dance before he wanted to sing. That history explains more about his music than the Y2K label alone.

Northern Dial artwork

Montreal R&B singer Chikoruss originally wanted to be a dancer. He grew up watching Step Up; singing became the plan later, after hearing Bryson Tiller’s “Don’t” in eighth grade.

In a 2025 SHIFTER interview, he pointed to the renewed popularity of Chris Brown’s “Wall to Wall” as a sign that listeners were missing dance-oriented R&B. “It shows people are missing that element of dance,” he said. “I’m trying to bring that back.”

He grew up with Ne-Yo, Chris Brown and Sean Paul, alongside Spanish and Caribbean music. DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts,” with its Santana sample, helped connect those sounds to the kind of record he wanted to make. SHIFTER heard a related Latin guitar figure in “Body Language” and “RaRa.” The older references are ingredients rather than a complete period costume.

His Sri Lankan family sang, too, though not professionally. His parents initially wanted him to finish school; early success helped them believe in his music career.

“Body Language” was that early introduction. “In 2 Deep” followed, made with producer Luya, whom Chikoruss met through TikTok. In a 2024 Vents interview, he described the second song as having “a darker and more sensual nightlife vibe” than his debut. He wanted R&B that people would dance to in clubs.

There is a Montreal thread running through it. He said he tries to work French into his lyrics as a nod to his first language, even while travelling elsewhere to develop his sound. Montreal is part of the music, not simply the city attached to his name.

In 2023, he opened for Bryson Tiller in Toronto, sharing a bill with the artist he credits with sparking his interest in making music.

Now R&Bounce Vol. 1, released Sept. 25, gives that dance-floor ambition nine songs to work with. “Can’t Stop (Loving You)” is the track currently in Northern Dial’s rotation.

Watch Chikoruss: Can’t Stop Loving You (Official Audio) on YouTube