The 9th Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program today adds five new recipients to its class of 2021. A sought-after program that supports aspiring Canadian musical artists, this year’s entries raise the bar with a stunning range of submissions that span the spectrum of diversity across Canada from every province and two territories. Chosen by a selection committee of music industry experts, the recipients will share the prize and the program benefits valued at more than $100,000. This year’s Grand Prize winner is Montreal-based singer-songwriter Angel Baribeau, whose messages and representation within their debut EP, For Those I Love(d), continue to resonate with 200,000+ streams across various platforms.
The 9th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program recipients are:
Grand Prize Winner: Angel Baribeau of Mistissini, QC
Second Prize Winners: YASSiN & Sean Terrio of Oakville, ON
Finalist (Third Prize): Boogey the Beat of Winnipeg, MB
Finalist (Third Prize): GRAE of Toronto, ON
Finalist (Third Prize): Madison Olds of Vancouver, BC
Featuring breathtaking vocals paired with lyrics that traverse emotional terrains, Angel Baribeau’s single “Love Is Up The River” from their debut EP garnered more than 20,000+ streams on Spotify, while “Wish We Were Older” charted #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and was featured on CBC North & APTN National News. The official music video also picked up a “Best Music Video” at the Toronto Indie Shorts Film Festival 2021 and Baribeau recently picked up the Young Canadian Songwriters Award 2021 presented by SOCAN Foundation. In total, Baribeau’s music has garnered over 200,000 streams across all platforms.
Originally from the Cree community of Mistissini, Quebec, Baribeau’s early foray was under the indie folk outfit Simple Human Tribe. As a solo artist in 2014, Baribeau was selected to be featured on the first-ever N’we Jinan compilation album, Eeyou Istchee Volume 1, which rocketed to #1 on the iTunes chart on the day of its release.
As a queer, non-binary Indigenous singer-songwriter, Baribeau’s goal is to be that of a changemaker, noting the responsibility to pursue their talent and create more representation within the industry for those who look and identify as they do.
“It’s important to see yourself in the world, otherwise, you might come to question whether your existence is valid. I felt this way for many years growing up, and it was only when I saw more folks like me I realized it’s okay for me to take up space. To see that positive imagery is fundamental to a child; at least, it was to me, and I want to do that for others,” said Angel.
They add, “In my own intersectionality, I want people to see me and know our representation is needed; and to feel that you’re not alone is a powerful thing. As the grand prize winner of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, I look forward to the opportunities to invest in myself so that I can grow as an artist and continue to be a positive reflection for others through my music.”
As the Grand Prize winner, Angel Baribeau will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at the renowned Metalworks Studios. A cash prize of $6,000 goes to Oakville based performers YASSiN & Sean Terrio for Second Prize, and the three Finalists will receive cash prizes of $4,000 each.
All recipients will have opportunities to elevate their career, including:
- New! Online group mentorship sessions with Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Sarah McLachlan
- New! Dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
- New! Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video
- Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent*
- A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2022 along with a Festival Access Pass*
- Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus*
- A performance at Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2022*
*Subject to COVID restrictions.
Also announced today, Jamie Labrador of Thunder Bay, Ontario is the recipient of the 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame / Metalworks Institute Scholarship. Jamie will receive $10,000 towards tuition of any full-time campus or online diploma program, or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute. The Institute offers a range of programs specializing in music performance, audio engineering, electronic music, live event and concert production, stage lighting and video, music business, music mixing and mastering and more. Each year, Metalworks invites past and current applicants of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program to apply for this scholarship.
