Rapper Merkules is touting his new album of 24 songs that feature the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Afroman, Classified, D12 and a dozen other guest collaborators. 

The LP release is a triumphant moment for "Merk," aka Surrey-raised Cole Stevenson, a Death Row Records affiliate making noise globally with raw lyrics, versatility and authenticity.

At this point in his career, Merkules is probably the most popular musician to ever come out of Surrey.

"It鈥檚 been five entire years since I鈥檝e given you guys a body of work to listen to," he tells fans via L.A.-based Big Hassle Media on April 11, release day.

"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鈥檚 so undeniable it鈥檚 everything you need to make up for lost time."

Behind the scenes, Merk says he was compiling collabs with favourite artists, "building an album more cohesive and important than anything I鈥檝e ever put out before. Get ready for the old Merk you missed, and a new version you鈥檒l learn to understand. This one鈥檚 for us."

Ahead of Australian and U.S. tour dates starting May 1, Merkules readied the acoustic guitar-intro'd , which takes viewers inside a therapy session. Another album highlight is  which riffs on our "O Canada" anthem with the help of NBA legend O鈥橬eal, aka Diesel.

, Merk celebrated a billion views on his , a huge library of 342 videos starting with his first, "Nine to Five," in April 2011. He's since amassed more than 1.7 million subscribers. Last spring, , including a homecoming date at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.