South Asian Music Accelerator
Join us for an exclusive evening celebrating the launch of the South Asian Music Accelerator (SAMA), a hybrid artist development program founded by ArtHaus in partnership with Coalition Music and Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI), aimed at bridging pathways for South Asian talent to thrive within and beyond Canada. This event will feature an exclusive interview with breakout producer, artist and executive Ikky (SAMA Program Ambassador), moderated by Alysha Brilla, the 3X JUNO Award-nominated composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
This event is RSVP only and 19+. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Complimentary refreshments and drinks will be served.
ArtHaus, co-founded by Sandy Pandya, has supported over thousands of Canadian artists, offering unique space for hundreds of industry and community events, and impacted innumerable audiences. What began as a coffee partnership to raise funds for mental wellness programs and emergency relief services at the height of the pandemic, has now evolved into a non-profit organization providing education, wellness, and professional development for creatives.
Canadian producer and composer Ikwinder Singh aka Ikky has been lighting up the charts with his distinct brand of hip–hop, pop and Punjabi music, both at home and through the rest of the world. He is also the co-founder 4N (pronounced ‘foreign’) Records and its 4N Nights concert event series, which are a manifestation of his mission to showcase South Asian talent internationally. In 2023, Ikky continued his mission by being appointed creative director of 91 North Records, a joint venture between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India, aimed at supporting artists of South Asian heritage. 91 North Records’ first signings are Canadian-based Punjabi stars Karan Aujla and Jonita Gandhi.
Alysha Brilla is a 3X JUNO Award-nominated composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist blending global roots sounds into soulful, healing music. A 2024 Canadian Screen Award nominee for her score in The Queen Of My Dreams, Brilla’s music has been featured in Degrassi: The Next Generation, Pretty Hard Cases, and The Parker Andersons. Born to an Indo-Tanzanian musician, Brilla’s work is a vibrant tapestry of rhythm and connection, with over 20 million streams and collaborations including No Doubt, The Black Eyed Peas and Desirée Dawson. In 2013, she was one of the first women to be nominated for a JUNO Award for her self-produced debut album and earned Producer of the Year at the 2018 Independent Music Awards. With over 15 years of studio experience, Brilla continues to lead innovative projects at the intersection of sound, technology, and emotional resonance.
DJ TRINIDADDY (they/he) is an Indo-Trinidadian DJ, musician, curator, & overall multidimensional creative, born & based in the Greater Tkaronto region. As a queer & non-binary person in the arts community since 2018, they aim to create more space for QTBIPOC in party & gathering spaces, and hope to inspire & build community through their sound. Their selection serves as a grounding force, choosing to reflect the times and truly showcase global music. From soca, chutney, dancehall, South Asian edits, Arab/SWANA edits to amapiano, afrobeats, UKG, R&B, baile funk & many more, there's no way yuh cah free up & feel up yuhself when they're spinning!
PROGRAM PARTNERS
As thought leaders within the Canadian music industry, Coalition Music co-founders Eric Lawrence and Rob Lanni are the architects of a business built on the singular core belief that the artist is the most important person in the music industry and should have the reins to develop an empowered, confident career. Since 2021, they've been a partner of Ikky's 4N Records.
Canada's Music Incubator (CMI) is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in professional development programs, paid live performance opportunities, and ongoing mentorship in support of emerging artists, managers and industry professionals across all genres of music.