Merkules Confronts The Past & Claims His Power On “Survivor’s Guilt”

Some records hit different. Not just because of who’s on them, but because of the work done behind the scenes to get there. Survivor’s Guilt, the long-awaited album from Vancouver rapper and Death Row affiliate Merkules, is that kind of project. Marking his first full-length release in five years, the 24-track offering is both a return and a reinvention. Gritty, personal, and star-studded, the album features legends like Shaquille O’Neal, D12, Prof, DAX, Afroman, Chris Webby, B-Real, and more. With cinematic production and lyrics pulled straight from the soul, Merkules declares: the wait is over, and the stakes have never been higher. Merkules had to say:

It’s been 5 entire years since I’ve given you guys a body of work to listen to. During that time I had no choice but to reach as deep into my soul as possible and do some inside work, learn who I really am at the core so I can give you the best version of me, and new music that’s so undeniable it’s everything you need to make up for lost time.

He adds:

Behind the scenes I was trying to be as vulnerable as I could with my pen whilst compiling collabs with all your favorite artists, building an album more cohesive and important than anything I’ve ever put out before. Get ready for the old Merk you missed and a new version you’ll learn to understand. This one’s for us. My goal is to help people with this record. I want you to cry, laugh, smile, and bang your fuckin head so hard it hurts your neck. Welcome to Survivor’s Guilt. The wait is over!

Built during a period of intense self-reflection, the album blends vulnerability and venom across tracks like Forgive Me, On Guard (featuring a commanding verse from Shaq), and the visual-heavy Blast Off, where Merk tackles his demons in a therapy session gone lyrical. With over 1 billion video views and five consecutive #1 Canadian iTunes hip-hop albums, Merkules remains a magnetic voice in hip-hop—fusing underground honesty with mainstream momentum, and pairing raw emotion with neck-snapping bars. This spring, Merk’s unmatched storytelling, visceral freestyles, and evolving pen game hit the road for the Survivor’s Guilt Tour. Watch the gripping “Blast Off” video and stream the album here. Be sure to connect with Merkules on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.