Toronto’s music scene has birthed stars with global reach, but few artists carry the unconventional, trailblazing energy of David Ellington II, better known as LILYUHX4. Repping Toronto, Sauga, and Brampton, he refuses to be boxed into categories. “I don’t make music, I make art,” he declares — and if it had to be defined, it leans into the boundary-pushing world of hyperpop.
For LILYUHX4, music wasn’t a calculated plan but an inevitable evolution. Known widely across his city, he often got asked if he was a rapper. After years of casually making music without taking it seriously, he decided to flip his freestyles into one-take records. From that moment, things felt “written in stone.”
A Stage Presence That Matches the Buzz
His live performance résumé speaks volumes. From rocking TD Bank Arena, The Phoenix, Rebel, and The Grand in Sudbury, to legendary (and now closed) venues like Zen Hamilton and &Co, LILYUHX4 has carved his name into Toronto’s live music history. Along the way, he’s opened for some of the industry’s biggest names, including YBN Nahmir, YK Osiris, Flipp Dinero, Jay Critch, and even served as MC for Jacquees’ first show in Canada.
Accomplishments Beyond Music
LILYUHX4’s creative range extends far beyond the mic. His videography earned him a Juno Award with Tome for her collaboration with Sean Kingston, further proving his artistry isn’t confined to one medium. He was also named Artist of the Year by Upn6xt, solidifying his reputation as one of Toronto’s most versatile and influential rising forces.
Streaming Success and Collaborations
His debut mixtape with Yung Bino racked up 500K streams across SoundCloud and Spotify, featuring heavyweight appearances from Rich The Kid, Young Dolph, NBA YoungBoy, Toosii, and Roddy Ricch. He’s also collaborated with cult favorites like 646AR and ElijahTheBoy, dropped the single “81 Like Kobe” (which did 100K on SoundCloud), and caught the attention of Zaytoven’s Dreammore Tour, landing him performance slots across Toronto.
Behind the boards, LILYUHX4 has earned credits shooting visuals for Top 5 and NojokeJigsaw, while in the studio, he’s locked in with producers like Texico, connecting him to major feats with Lil Durk, Gunna, Playboi Carti, and Future— with unreleased material still sitting in the vault.
A Story Larger Than Life
Beyond music, LILYUHX4’s life story feels almost surreal. He’s met the Queen of England, crossed paths with Hazel McCallion, and even helped build a soccer field that led to the Hershey Centre co-signing new turf fields. Before music, he played for the Manchester Academy via Dixie United, proving his competitive spirit has always been part of who he is.
The Future of Toronto’s Sound
From stadium stages to underground SoundCloud waves, from Juno wins to linking with rap legends, LILYUHX4 is more than an artist — he’s a cultural disruptor. With new collaborations, unreleased heat, and a vision that transcends music, he’s on the brink of becoming one of the most important names to come out of Toronto.
As he puts it best: he doesn’t just make music. He makes art.
