Popular rapper headed to Holly's

Madchild is headed to Holly's Nite Club in Yorkton.

Madchild might still be best known as part of Swollen Members.

Swollen Members have been an underground anomaly for more than a decade with worldwide success and accolades. The group is currently riding a wave of success, winning four Juno Awards and adding a nomination for a 5th award in 2012 for their "Dagger Mouth" album. In addition to their Juno awards, Swollen Members have also nabbed seven Much Music video awards and four Western Canadian Music awards. Swollen Members have collectively racked up 35 million views on Youtube, and earned both platinum and gold sales certification for sales of their albums.

After many years of success with Swollen Members, Madchild branched out creatively to become a solo artist and was rewarded with the highest chart position of his career as "Dope Sick" debuted at #3 on the Canadian Billboard Top 200 and #7 on the US Heatseekers chart. Madchild wasted no time taking to the road on a sold-out Canadian tour alongside Tech N9ne, which he immediately followed-up with a 40-date headlining tour across the country performing to packed venues.

Since the release of his debut solo album "Dope Sick", Madchild has refused to rest, capping off an amazing year with a Juno Award nomination for 'Dope Sick' in the category of Rap Recording of the Year, as well as nominations for a Sirius XFM and a Canadian Independent Music awards.

Through his near decade-and-a-half with the Swollen Members Madchild admits he succumbed to the success, facing issues with drug addiction.

But now he says he is drug free for two years, and still doing what he loves to do, make music.

"There's just nothing I'd rather do, it's as simple as that," he told Yorkton This Week in a telephone interview. "This is who I am.

"I've had times of reflection, wondering if there was anything I rather do in life, and this is it."

Madchild said it took a lot of effort to get his life back on track, and for that he has family and friends to thank.

"I probably wouldn't have been able to pull myself out of that pit without them," he said, adding that while they were his support system he had to make the choice to get clean.

"I'm proud of myself, and thankful," he said. "I'm very pleased with the direction I am going."

As Madchild has taken back control of his life, he said his music has changed too.

"I think my music's more honest, well I think I was always honest in my music, but I've opened up a little more," he said. " I'm letting down the walls a little bit more."

While breaking back on the charts in Canada, and looking to repeat that stateside in the coming months after a period he could not even cross the border, Madchild still hits the stage with the Swollen Members too. He said the dual musical avenues are good for him.

"It keeps it fresh," he said.

Madchild will be at Holly's Monday Sept. 2