FRESHMEN FRIDAY'S SOUND OFF!
KICKING OFF ON CMW through to the end of june, Freshmen Friday HOSTED a series of pop-up studio sessions, where selected emerging artists HAD the ability to write and record original content in a quality studio in Toronto. The initiative's mission WAs to provide local artists with the space and tools necessary to make their concepts come to life.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE TALENT BELOW AND KEEP AN EAR PEELED FOR THE RESULTING MUSIc COMING SOON!
Nader aka FunkyWhat is a forward-thinking beatmaker based in Montreal. The sophistication of his beats can be attributed to his background as a guitar player and his immersion in rock and skate culture. The amalgamation of these factors makes for stand-out hip-hop and R&B beats with an edge.
Audre is an emerging artist from Scarborough. She seamlessly switches from fire freestyles to silky vocals to tell unique stories and create well-rounded tracks. Her infectious energy is juxtaposed next to her smooth vocals and moody beats from her producer IVI.
IVI is a self-taught producer based in Scarborough. In contrast to some of his peers, IVI’s talents go beyond beatmaking. He works closely with artists to produce and develop their vocals, transforming a great beat into a great song.
Mookie Morris is a Canadian Idol alum with a laid-back, nostalgic musical style that spans far past the defunct show’s history. Mookie heads his own band, The Mooks, which features Owen Norquay on bass and Luis Figuero on drums. With Mookie on lead vocals and guitar, The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
Luis Figuero is the dynamic drummer for The Mooks, which also features Mookie Morris on lead vocals and guitar and Owen Norquay on bass. The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
In their Twitter bio, BizZarh describes themselves as ‘two intuitive girls from the hood’ but it’s clear that they are so much more. The genre-bending duo rap and sing over a diverse array of beats to create a variety of vibes that can’t be defined or contained.
Owen Norquay is a soulful,seasoned bass player with The Mooks, which also features Mookie Morris on lead vocals and guitar and Luis Figuero on drums. The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
John Samuels aka Just John is one of the rappers at the forefront of Toronto’s DIY art scene. His distinct look merges contemporary, bold leather looks and more classic militant vibes. Meanwhile, his musical style often blends trap with jazz. In addition to his own musical projects, John is the founder of Blank Canvas, a multidisciplinary arts collective that doubles as a platform for underrepresented emerging artists. You can often spot him vibing out to his own music and rocking his signature beret.
Dom Dias works double time as a graphic designer by day and music producer by night. His intricate production paired with his hands-on recording approach always makes for A1 quality tracks that push Toronto’s sound into further greatness, just as he did in his collaborations with Just John, Don and the upcoming Don II.
Caitlin aka Theo is an emerging R&B singer and songwriter whose raw sound fits right into Toronto’s moody musical tapestry spearheaded by artists like The Weeknd.