February is Black History Month and FACTOR would like to honour and celebrate the creativity and influence of Black Canadians within the music industry by highlighting various artists, professionals, organizations, and events which showcase artistic and social contributions.
Through our online presentation, we will explore how to navigate sectors of the music industry through insights and success stories, as well as sharing resources for Black communities.
Glenn-Copeland aka Beverly Glenn-Copeland, is a legendary Canadian/American singer, composer, and transgender activist, based in east coast Canada.
In the last year, Beverly Glenn-Copeland’s 5+ decades of works are finally getting the recognition and attention they deserve. Features in the New Yorker, New York Times, The Globe and Mail, a career retrospective and performance at MOMA PS1, a film documentary (Keyboard Fantasies), CBC’s In The Making and much more.
Through the efforts of his publisher, Montreal based Third Side Music, a FACTOR-funded company, this past year they were able to place his music in projects ranging from a Levi’s ad to a runway show at Paris Fashion Week. Third Side Music also set up and encouraged some key music supervisors to attend private livestream events and as a direct result his songs are featured in 4 different episodes of a new HBO series, and many more opportunities currently in the works. Third Side has also been working closely with Glenn’s new label home (Transgressive) on the roll out and re-issue of his whole catalog, sourcing remixes and cover versions, working with a queer choir organization to re-imagine his songs, a trip to Sackville to unearth hours worth of rare and unreleased material from tapes stored at his studio and much more. Glenn-Copeland is a Canadian songwriter success story that we’re so happy to be part of with Third Side Music.
Chelsea Stewart is a multi-talented singer/songwriter working in a diverse range of genres from classical to jazz and everything in between, Chelsea Stewart takes you on a musical journey visiting the eras of Billie Holiday, Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, and Mariah Carey. Chelsea has sung for and shared the stage with two legends in their respective genres, Stevie Wonder and Bobby McFerrin. Receiving standing ovations at local jazz festivals and on the international stage, Chelsea has been an opening act for various artists, like R&B artist Mario, and reggae super stars Beenie Man and Marcia Griffiths. The talented singer/songwriter is currently recording her debut album with Grammy winning reggae legends Sly and Robbie, and her debut FACTOR-funded reggae EP ‘Genesis’ was released in October 2018. This project was nominated for the Reggae Recording of the Year JUNO award in 2019!
What was the best advice you received as an up-and-coming artist?
I think the best advice I received was to invest in myself. My Mom always said, “Once you invest in yourself, others are willing to contribute to your growth because you’ve shown everyone watching that you are willing to put your money where your mouth is.” So together we’ve promoted our own shows, funded tours, produced our music AND manufactured and distributed our very own CDs (through our label Baby Mama Music). I’ve sold over 70,000 copies in Toronto which helped me to reinvest in my career and be a full time artist. Shoutout to my city for supporting me!
Along the way we realized that as artists in Canada, we didn’t have to do it all by ourselves so we started to apply for funding from FACTOR and that has been a tremendous help. #ThankYou
What do you find exciting about the Canadian music industry today?
What’s exciting is that the industry is beginning to realize that it needs to make some changes to promote Black artists as much as every other artist. There is so much talent within the Black community that has not been acknowledged or properly celebrated. Because of this, many artists have had to go to the US to finally be appreciated or given up completely. It seems like the Canadian music industry might’ve realized that they’ve let too many gems slip through their hands and are finally willing to do the right thing.
As we enter a month celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the Black community, how do you feel as a Black artist?
I was born in Toronto, but I am excluded from access to my music being played on major Canadian radio stations. As a Black female artist in Canada I wish that I was afforded the same opportunities given to reggae artists who live abroad and are not Canadian born, and artists that are Canadian but not Black. I wish the talents of Afro-Canadian artists were acknowledged 365 days of the year instead of just 28 days in February. I am very grateful to FACTOR and the government of Canada for the opportunities that they provide local artists like myself. My debut self titled album was made possible because of FACTOR, and I feel that they do make an effort to highlight Black artists because I’ve benefited from those efforts in the past and even right now!
“Denise Jones led by example. She was an iconic figure in the Jamaican Canadian community, the world of reggae and the Black entertainment scene, producing and promoting many top artists. She was a role model, a mentor. She championed Black lives her entire life. She gave people opportunities.” – Jim Rankin, The Star.
One of Denise’s sons, Jesse, shared with The Star, “To grow up around that presence, you just believe things are possible, you see it happening every day and I am forever grateful for that, because I think that’s the most important thing you can give somebody, hope and belief in themselves. My mom did this for us at home, but also as I’m seeing every day with these tweets and social, she seemed to be doing it for a lot of other people, too.”
Dylan Sinclair is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter from Toronto, who started honing his voice in church at the tender age of 4. He began writing and recording music by the age of 15 after realizing that performance was just one of the many talents he was given by God. In 2018, Dylan released his first independent project entitled “Red Like Crimson”, which caught the attention of enough people to fill a room of over 200 for his first ever concert in Toronto. One of the many who took notice to the young R&B crooner was Grammy nominated Toronto producer, Jordon Manswell (Daniel Caesar, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown), who Dylan has been working closely with since the summer of 2019. Since then, he has discontinued his university studies to pursue music wholeheartedly on his journey to become the next household name in R&B music.
What was the best advice you received as an up-and-coming artist?
“Stay true to self and be original”; something I carry into my daily life. If I don’t want my music to get washed away with the thousands of songs that drop weekly, I have to stand out. It’s easy to copy your favourite artists when you’re new to the game and coming up, but my priority has been on taking inspiration from my favourite artists in order to become my own.
What do you find exciting about the Canadian music industry today?
There’s so much talent and creativity coming out of Canada. We have the best producers and some really amazing artists but what I love to see is the collaboration of both being more common today.
As we enter a month celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the Black community, how do you feel as a Black artist?
Winning the SOCAN Black Canadian Music Award at the top of the year was a nice way to be recognized and a great way to start the year. I feel proud to be a black artist.
Honey Jam is a non-profit programme for young female artists of all cultures and representing all genres of music that provides mentoring, educational, performance and networking opportunities culminating with a stellar showcase of live music. Started by Ebonnie Rowe in 1995, they organize impactful experiences for the artists such as songwriting camps, industry workshops, mentor cafe’s, tickets to major artist concerts, opportunities to attend the Polaris, Juno and Grammy Awards, Canadian Music Week, a series of paid public live and online performances through several initiatives and sessions to learn from major artists such as Jessie Reyez, Melanie Fiona, Jully Black, Serena Ryder, Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, LeToya Luckett, Elle Varner, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae and more. It is a welcoming, supportive sisterhood and a safe space for young women to be vulnerable, to learn, to build self-esteem and long-lasting relationships.
Photos courtesy of Honey Jam Canada
Jah’Mila, based in Nova Scotia, has been a beacon for Jamaican music and culture with her talent for singing and positive messages of hope. Being born into the very roots of the reggae family tree, she bears high respect for the craft and understands the importance of her role in preserving and performing quality live reggae music. Drawing influences from towering reggae legacies like Bob Marley and The Abyssinians, as well as jazz and contemporary icons like Nina Simone, The Beatles and Lauryn Hill – Jah’Mila strives to create music that is lyrically intelligent, masterfully delivered, tastefully arranged and undeniably inspiring.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
Surround yourself with mentors who care about you, give you honest feedback and who can help to guide you in the right musical direction. Additionally, learn about the business side of music to increase your chances of success in the industry.
What has been a career highlight for you so far, or what are you looking forward to achieving?
Developing the Reggae Roots virtual education program for youths with the National Art Centre Orchestra and Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser is a major career highlight for me. It has been an exciting and fulfilling project, and it has been well received across Canada. The program aims to preserve reggae’s roots by introducing it to a young audience and encouraging them to create beyond traditional boundaries. I hope it will offer representation and inspiration to those interested in reggae and orchestral music as a field of practice.
Find out more about this program here.
With over 18 years of experience at eOne Music Canada, Jay currently holds the title of Director of A&R Marketing. Jay is responsible for recruiting and marketing artists for eOne Music and is based in their Toronto office. Over the years Jay has worked on projects from artists such as DJ Khaled, Jim Jones, The Diplomats, Wu-Tang, J Dilla, Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, Sizzla, Gyptian and more. Recent signings include Keys N Krates, Rhye, David Strickland, Charlotte Day Wilson, River Tiber, Prime Boys, Dudley Perkins & Georgia Anne Muldrow.
Jay also teaches the Business of Music program at the non-profit organization, The Remix Project.
In addition, Jay runs a grant administration company called DMC Grants who aid artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses secure funding for the development. Lastly, Jay runs a boutique record label and publishing company FORESEEN Entertainment which is home to artists such as Moonshine, GodsConnect Once A Tree, beat sampras, J.u.D., Charles Freeman and Laser. Jay is also a member of the FACTOR Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out in the music industry?
Invest in copyrights. Know the value of your copyrights.
Name a career highlight!
Attending the Grammy’s last year (2020) in Los Angeles for my artist Georgia Anne Muldrow’s Overload album being nominated ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album.’ I worked really hard promoting and touring that album.
As we enter a month celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the Black community, what about being Black makes you the most proud?
Our rich culture and history. The Pre-colonial African history that was suppressed and not taught to me in school. Imhotep the godfather of medicine. The Moors who controlled Spain and Portugal for 800 years and brought Europe science/math/architecture/art/education, and ultimately brought them out of the dark ages. Mansa Musa the richest man to ever live. Most black people still carry their slave masters last names (including myself) and have no clue where their Ancestors come from in Africa or their history. The more I decoded that and studied our true history, the prouder I was and the more confidence I gained as a black man.
Jermayne Clayton is President of the Management Division and a driving force of Awesome Productions & Management; an up and coming artist management, label and publishing company. As President, Clayton is responsible for the ever-growing talented roster of electronic/dance artists/producers (Cyril Hahn, Adam K), Hip-Hop/R&B producers (Multi-platinum, Grammy and Juno nominated Producer Jordon Manswell), and artists (Juno nominated singer and songwriter Jhyve). Jermayne is also a member of the FACTOR Board of Directors.
Clayton’s love for music is undeniable – a passion that began at a young age. Rhythms from Sinatra, Gaye to Marley, continue to run through his Jamaican-Canadian blood inspiring him daily.
Dedicated to amplifying Canadian talent, Clayton continues to drive each initiative with more passion than the last. With an artist-first mentality and keen musical ear, he is focused on building the brands of his roster – in a time where Canadian music continues to be a shining light in today’s music industry.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out in the music industry?
Don’t try and take on everything alone. Anchor yourself with a solid team of advisors around you and you’ll get ahead.
What is your top resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
For managers, the MMF is a great resource with webinars by various organizations like Re:Sound for neighbouring rights collection, CPA’s for tax tips for you and your artists, and grant writing with FACTOR. It’s key to have the information to help build a sustainable business for you and your clients.
Name a career highlight!
Roskilde Festival in Denmark watching one of my artists who a year before was in University for Art History and had never played a show.
As we enter a month celebrating the history, achievements and contributions of the Black community, what about being Black makes you the most proud?
I’m proud of the underlying thread of perseverance in our people. It keeps me motivated throughout the year.
K-Riz is part of a new generation of melodic MCs. His brand of hip-hop is marked by sensitive, self-aware lyricism, ’90s-inspired R&B, and futuristic beats.
Listing the titans of R&B-inspired pop and jazz-oriented rap as his influences, from Stevie Wonder to Nas and Michael Jackson to J Dilla, the Toronto-born, Edmonton-based artist absorbs and spits out the specters of other eras while remaining spiritually in the present.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
Not to expect immediate results. The results will come with consistency and continued work.
What do you tell yourself to stay positive when you’re down?
I remind myself that emotions come in waves, they come and go and don’t last forever. I try not to be too hard on myself when I don’t achieve perfection.
What has been a career highlight for you so far, or what are you looking forward to achieving?
A career highlight for me would be receiving my first award. It was significant to me because I was being awarded by my own community. I’m looking forward to shining a light on what we are doing out here in Western Canada. I believe in the talent here.
Noted public figure Kiana ‘rookz’ Eastmond ♖♖ started her career in music, evolving into an executive – from a founder to a five-time award-winning serial entrepreneur. rookz has been recognized for her impact by global brands such as Nike and Google, making headlines in The Globe and Mail all the way to Complex magazine and, most notably, is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, appearing more than 150 times in over 25 cities. It’s evident her brand knows no boundaries; this celebrated and prolific speaker can be found at the dais with top CEOs and shared a stage opening for Barack Obama, truly reinforcing her #CreateFate philosophy that “your conditions don’t have to be your conditioning”.
rookz’s brainchild Sandbox Studios is one of the most successful Urban Music Artist Development and recording facilities in Toronto. The studio has opened its doors to both international and local talent such as Cardi B, Tory Lanez, illMind, worked with brands like Soundcloud, Native Instruments and Google, as well as being home to the overflowing local scene. Sandbox recently entered the tech space with the launch of its grant search engine platform – Grant Genie. Committed to connecting to building the scene, Sandbox has truly become Toronto’s Creative Playground.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out working in the music industry?
I would give younger me the advice to be patient and strategic. If you work on something, be bold about it, because being in the business, people can quickly forget how you helped them grow once they are flourishing. Make sure you’re building your brand from day one, not just externally, but you want to build a reputation you’re proud of with your team, peers and competition alike.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
My favourite resource for Black artist/industry professionals in Canada is the House of Milo Industry Mixer by DJ RoseGold. I think it’s going on its 4th year, and it just keeps getting better. That’s one event I never miss, RoseGold really brings in the heavy hitters in the industry from around the globe that mirror her energy of wanting to connect and be open.
Name a career highlight!
TBH, this is a hard one for me. It’s so easy to say working with some of the biggest celebrities in the world. But it’s actually a story about a young man that got to do an EP through a youth justice program that had a contract with us. He was 15 and had been arrested already 4 times, he would come in with his youth worker, rap about some craziness and one day I stopped his session. He wasn’t happy, some words were exchanged, and he left. He said he’d only come back if I was never there, I said okay only if he would talk to me first. He came in, we chopped it up and ended up spending half a day together. We really bonded. On his 4th visit, I pull up, and he was there super early, and he came running to my car, “rookz, I got a job! It’s just at the morgue but it’s a start. You told me I could Create Fate, create my life, that’s what I’m doing!” That story stuck with me so much, that he really connected with what I said to him, that I realized I had this incredible access to people in a really meaningful way. It birthed my whole #CreateFate philosophy. I still talk to him all the time, and it makes my heart beam. His sessions were the greatest sessions of my life, they changed my whole interest in working in this space. It moved me from wanting to break the next artist to wanting to build the environments people found themselves in. It’s not just music or money to me, there’s a person behind every song we love, and they need us to show up for them in a real way.
What does being Black mean to you?
Being Black to me means knowing I can be the most excellent version of anything in my lane. Not because I’m just better or arrogant, but because starting at the bottom means you have to work so hard to get to the top, you’re not the best by chance, YOU BUILT THAT. I know all the cards are always stacked against me, so I have to play smarter, work harder all while being grateful for the work those before me did, while I press for those behind me. Black excellence is just excellent, it’s darkness transformed to light where no one expects to see it.
Kwende has crafted a unique path in the Canadian cultural sector for over 20 years. He is the inaugural executive director of CKCU FM, Canada’s original campus-community radio station, he’s released music as DJ Memetic for 15 years, is the creative director of TIMEKODE, and cultivates progressive underground dancefloor experiences every month. As a policy maker, he led the development of the City of Ottawa’s council-approved Music Strategy and the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, among other cultural initiatives. Kwende holds an MRes from the Bartlett School of Architecture and sits on the board of several distinguished cultural organizations, including FACTOR as the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion observer.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out working in the music industry?
Keep being intersectional. Bring your whole self into the room. You can be many things, even at once. I let my sense of identity and love for music guide me into my other areas of interest without ever considering that they had to be at odds. It was always about finding the intersection in-between, whether it was making the connection between Hiphop and urbanism in my academic research, or being both a policy maker and performer professionally, or being black while doing all of that. As the world grows more pluralistic (hopefully), those intersections of your interests, expertise and experiences will make you more distinctive in whatever space you eventually end up.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
As a new ED I’ve been paying attention to what the Black North Initiative is doing, and really appreciate their approach so far.
Name a career highlight!
Top 3 for now: i) Getting the email requesting my services to open for Barack Obama at the Canadian Tire Centre in 2019. ii) Releasing my solo record + throwing a wild TIMEKODE warehouse rave on my birthday in 2015. iii) Seeing the Ottawa Music Strategy approved by council in 2018.
What does being Black mean to you?
I’ve learned that being Black means something different depending on the space you occupy. My favourite is when it equates to a sense belonging. But I also think it offers a pride of ownership + authorship particularly in the creative sector. Black people in Canada and our diasporic relations around the globe have been responsible for revolutionising culture more times than I can count. It’s part of a tradition and trajectory that started long before me and will continue long after. I’m just honoured to be able to carry it forward.
Liza (pronounced Lee-za) is an Ethiopian-Canadian R&B singer/songwriter with an undeniable presence. Born and raised in Toronto, a city overflowing with blended cultures, it becomes evident that these subtle influences spill over into her music. Her pensive lyrics and progressive production invites listeners on a reflective journey. Her music specifically draws influence from traditional Ethiopian sounds she grew up listening to, and R&B and Neo-Soul influences.
In 2018, she independently released her debut project titled February 29 which received positive reviews from various music outlets in Canada and across the U.S. Following the release of her debut EP, Liza released a number of follow up singles including, “Here to Stay,” “Passes Me,” “Morning Glory” and most recently, released a mini-EP, entitled “ID.” She has taken the stage at a number of venues in her hometown and abroad, such as NXNE where she opened up for Tinashe, Canadian Music Week, headlining a Manifesto Festival show, and SXSW in Austin, Texas. As fate would have it, she opened for legendary songstress Lauryn Hill during the 20th Anniversary Miseducation Tour in Toronto alongside Santigold, Busta Rhymes & Tierra Whack and, has opened for Kyle Dion and Raveena during their respective tours. Liza had her first solo show in Toronto at the Soho House and was invited to headline an ASCAP Soho House Show in New York City last Fall.
Most recently, Liza was featured on Michelle Obama’s Official Higher Ground Spotify playlist and was one of 5 selected artists to perform for ASCAPs Annual the Come Up Showcase. Liza was SoundCloud’s selected Artist to Watch in October 2020 and she is gearing up to release her next project early this year.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out in the music industry?
I would tell my younger self to continue persevering and to stay the course. I would also tell myself to have faith in my personal journey and trust the process.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
A resource that I recently learned about that I love is the Nia Centre; it’s a multi-disciplinary Black Arts Centre meant to professionally and creatively support Black creatives.
Name a career highlight!
Getting on Michelle Obama’s Spotify playlist – definitely a career highlight!
What does being Black mean to you?
Culture, Strength Power, & History.
Manifesto is an arts and culture organization founded in 2007 and best-known for its annual namesake festival. Manifesto’s year-round programming has allowed for the organization to create countless volunteer, internship, and employment opportunities – building careers, fostering community connections, and fueling individual pride – all while contributing to the vitality of the city we love. Manifesto prioritizes the communities that have originated and continue to propel the hip hop and R&B genre, prioritizing Black voices, with a focus on youth, women, and the lgbt+, to assert their space in Canada’s arts and culture sector. We provide professional performance opportunities, access to networking events, mentorship, and other avenues for career advancement, artistic growth, and community building.
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Photo credit – Aprille Deus
MASANI MONTAGUE, BA (Hons.), MES
Masani Montague is a playwright, director, journalist, novelist, and researcher. She has written, directed and produced several radio plays, stage plays and music videos. Her plays and radio plays include: Up on Eglinton, Breakout!, Soundclash, Reasoning with my Sisters, Danger to the Public and To Sheba with Love. She has directed music videos such as, Silhouette, Serious Judgement, Shoeshine, Up on Eglinton, and Danger to The Public. She has produced and directed docu-dramas such as, Youth against Violence, Cycle of Violence and It’s not Alright! She holds a diploma in Journalism from Humber College and two degrees from York University; BA (Honours) in Creative Writing and a MES degree in Environmental Studies. She is currently completing her Masters in Education at York University. Masani Montague owns and operates Masani Productions, founded in 1980. The company promotes, produces, and distributes books, films, videos, and records. She has held the posts of director and producer of the annual Rastafest Reggae Festival since 1993 and Sistahfest since 1996. She co-coordinated the first Rastafari International Conference held in Toronto in 1982 and did so again for the second conference, held the following year in Jamaica. She received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and the Order of York Centre Award in 2015. Masani is also a member of the FACTOR Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out working in the music industry?
The advice I would give to someone who is just starting out in the music industry is to learn the business of music. It is of utmost importance to obtain knowledge in areas such as accounting, business management, music publishing, eCommerce, marketing, and promotion.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
My favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada is the various music websites, and social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Name a career highlight!
My career highlights were getting my first novel, Dread Culture published in 1993 and my second novel, To Sheba With Love published early this year. Both novels are based on five stage plays focusing on issues such as culture shock, black activism, deportation and the dancehall culture in Toronto for the past 45 years.
What does being Black mean to you?
Being Black to me means to persevere under the harshest of circumstances. I have experienced systematic racism while studying journalism in the seventies in college, however, I used my experience to empower black youth in the community by working as a change agent. It is not easy being Black in Canada because you have to work twice as hard to accomplish anything in life. There will be times when you want to give up because of the obstacles blocking your path to success but at the end of the day if you want something bad enough you will persevere until it is achieved.
Photo credit – Jem Montague Taffe
Milla Thyme is a true, devout artist, building on the foundations set before him, and fearlessly molding it to the present day and time. Born and raised in Toronto and based out of Montreal, Milla Thyme’s artistry is undoubtedly remarkable, on a technical level few can replicate what he does. By intertwining his skills as a rapper, bassist, and producer/composer, he has set the stage for himself as a socially conscious rapper and proficient musician who has earned critical praise amongst his peers and across the country.
Being influenced by so many different genres, musicians, and artists; Milla Thyme’s sound is a unique blend of Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul, and Jazz. His songwriting and well-crafted verses speak to the experiences we all go through, making it easily accessible and universal. He looks to the iconic influential musicians like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis, to be inspired to push the boundaries and make music that will stand the test of time.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
I would tell myself that it’s a long game. Just keep being consistent and don’t compare your journey to someone else’s.
What do you tell yourself to stay positive when you’re down?
I tell myself that:
1) I’m connected to something bigger than me (music)
2) Have gratitude that I can do this as a career.
3) Focus on what I can control, my thoughts, emotions and reactions.
Check out Milla Thyme’s music at:
Connect with Milla Thyme:
Born in Montreal, NAIIM is a hip-hop and r&b artist aiming to change the sound within the genre. Growing up surrounded by old school hip-hop and French folk music, NAIIM found his love for making music and writing early on and is continuing to harvest his unique sound throughout his career.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
What do you tell yourself to stay positive when you’re down?
I wouldn’t say that I necessarily tell myself anything specific when I’m feeling down. However, there are certain practices I find helpful to getting me back on track. If I find myself in a slump I usually assess the following:
1 – Am I doing my daily meditations?
2 – Am I exercising as much as I should be?
3 – Am I eating healthy foods?
4 – Am I getting my work done?
5 – Am I happy with the music I’m creating?
When I’m feeling “down”, it’s usually because I’m slacking in one or more of these five areas.
Naya Ali is a Montreal-based rapper from Ethiopia. Originally starting by writing poetry and rapping as a teenager, her ability to create hard-hitting rhymes with hypnotic hooks and empowering lyrics over an incredibly catchy beat transcends the sounds of hip-hop.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
Trust yourself it’s going to be a crazy ride. There’s a lot to learn, and sometimes those lessons are more difficult to digest than others. But at the end of the day the goal remains the goal. Keep staying true to yourself, everything else will fall into place.
What do you tell yourself to stay positive when you’re down?
It’s part of the human experience, there can’t be joy without heartache. I have to allow myself to feel my emotions but be mindful enough not to be consumed by them. We all lose our balance sometimes, just gotta get back up and find it again.
What has been a career highlight for you so far, or what are you looking forward to achieving?
Honestly, life has been a highlight for me so far, from doing my first international tour last year, to winning Album of the year at the 2022 ADISQ awards – I’m just really looking forward to connecting with more humans with my music and continuing to give more light into the universe.
Taking their name from the word for heart in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, the women-led ensemble OKAN fuses Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk, and global rhythms in songs about immigration, courage, and love.
Having recently worked with Bomba Estereo, Lido Pimienta and Telmary Diaz, OKAN followed up on their JUNO and Canadian Folk Music Award-nominated debut album Sombras, with their sophomore release Espiral, (Lulaworld Records, 2020).
The FACTOR-funded album debuted at number one on the !Earshot International charts, was included in CBC Music’s Top 20, and ranked in Alt.Latino’s Favorite Albums of 2020 at NPR.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out in the music industry?
To never give up and search for your own language sooner than later. To find the right manager because that really makes the difference to your career. Work with people that believe in you from the very beginning. And most importantly: believe in yourself.
Favourite resources
We work for Sistema Toronto, a program that offers free after-school music and social development for children living in vulnerable communities with the end goal of transformative social change. We feel that we are making a change from the very beginning. Many of our students are black and they feel represented when they see teachers that look like them or have experience emigrating like most of their parents. There are other organizations in Toronto that are very valid to mention here like blacklegalactioncentre and Advance Music Canada
Name a career highlight!
Collaborating with Lido Pimienta on her latest album Miss Colombia, nominated to the Latin Grammys and the Grammys. Also, she was the door to the collaboration with Bomba Estereo.
Also to have the opportunity to have the amazing musicians that we have today.
What does being Black mean to you?
Everything. We are here and we are who we are now because of our ancestors. We owe them our flavour, rhythm, voices, dances and passion. We honor them every time we are on a stage because we are their wildest dreams come true. Free and empowered.
Born in Nigeria, TOBi immigrated to Canada with his father at 8 years old. In 2016, he released his debut EP, FYi featuring the single, “iNDECiSiONS,” a record that Pigeon and Planes described as: “hypnotic in its twisting stream of consciousness, snaking across topics and ideas.” TOBi received the Artist Development grant from FACTOR in 2018. In 2019 TOBi went on to release his debut studio album, STILL which received high praises from media such as: i-D, BET, Billboard, Paper & L’Officiel. Not stopping anytime soon, TOBi is kicking off the new decade with a “City Blues” remix featuring The Game. TOBi released the project ELEMENTS Vol. 1 end of 2020 to kick off the first edition in an ongoing series. ELEMENTS Vol 1. Was chosen as number 3 top albums of the year by CBC Music, as well as Complex Canada.
What advice would you give your younger self, or someone who is just starting out in the music industry?
Advice would be to always keep focus on your own path and continue forming a clear identity of who you are and what you stand for.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
My favorite resource is the Advance Music social page. Great information on there.
Name a career highlight
Selling out my hometown show in May 2019 at Velvet Underground.
What does being Black mean to you?
Carrying the stories and wisdom of my ancestors in my heart and writing a new one for my descendants.
UZA is a renowned rapper, singer, and songwriter, from Toronto Canada, she is known for her heavy hitting punchlines and angelic smooth voice.
What advice would you give your younger self in your 1st year working in the music industry?
I would tell my younger self to be patient, don’t look at what anyone else is doing, be yourself and only focus on yourself. I would also tell her to never give up because her ancestors are very proud of her, and the work she puts in now will make so much more sense in the future.
What do you tell yourself to stay positive when you’re down?
When I’m down, I think about how fortunate I am to be healthy and alive, how I have a chance to experience infinite possibilities. It would be almost selfish of me to waste my time being depressed when there are people dying to be in my position. I remind myself that my ancestors went through so much pain and wishful thinking, hoping that their descendants don’t witness that type of pain. I remind myself that everything I do is for my bloodline.
What has been a career highlight for you so far, or what are you looking forward to achieving?
A career highlight for me this far is meeting Wu-Tang Clan, it was literally a dream come true. My former manager and best friend Bornking has made that happen for me. From watching them perform to meeting them backstage, taking photos and being able to be in the presence of legends completely change my life. It was so inspirational to see how much they have grown from having peach fuzz in the 90s to gray hairs in the 2000s. Grown men in their 50s still rocking the mic like they were in their 20s, it reminded me that music is a journey and real music is timeless. Our voices on these records really last forever. I am looking forward to achieving more opportunities with collaborations, with international artists or even artists from my own city. Collaborations are such a beautiful thing, it adds so much colour to a song with hearing different energies and styles meshing together. it also helps with engagement and growth for an artist, which is also something I would love to achieve, growing my Fanbase.
What is your favourite resource for Black artists/industry professionals in Canada?
My favourite resource is the stolen from Africa community page, Logik is such an awesome positive community leader, it’s really an honour to know him. What I like the most about his platform is that every Monday at 11 AM they do something called a “Monday check in”, which streams on Instagram live, allowing people to engage and rate how they feel that morning from 1 to 10, holding space for Peoples mental health. I think that’s so important being able to unify and create safe spaces where we can build and educate ourselves. His page (@sfa_community) also consists of information about black history and artifacts about our people. It consists of information and resources that help better our people, reprogramming the minds to think more conscious, and less unaware of who they really are. I think this type of community page is very vital for our youth.
