Hillary LeBlanc lists 10 Black musicians from Atlantic Canada musicians you should know, from New Brunswick to Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Canada’s East Coast may not seem like the obvious spot to find diverse music, but in a quest to diversify musicians I was reporting on, I found a litany of talented Black artists from the Atlantic Provinces worth knowing. Some are immigrants, some are born and raised East Coasters but they all add to the cultural tapestry of music. From Rap to Hip-Hop, Rock and Folk, these 10 Black musicians from Atlantic Canada have a unique sound, a story worth telling and some dope bars.
BruceM8
BruceM8 is a Newfoundland and Labrador-based artist and producer, born in Harare, Zimbabwe, who defies categorization. He’s a self-produced tinkerer, seamlessly blending abstract R&B with the brash swagger of hip-hop to create an “all-encompassing experience” for his listeners. His sound brings together the smooth melodies of R&B, the pulsating rhythms of hip-hop, and a subtle nod to the Afro-fusion that resonates with Africans in the diaspora. His latest album, Playlist22, is a testament to BruceM8’s artistry. This self-produced masterpiece perfectly captures his signature blend, with driving hip-hop beats providing the foundation for his soaring vocals.
Scott Parsons
Scott Parsons is a legend to the PEI Country/Folk scene. He is a multi-disciplined musician who has consistently utilized his accomplishments to enrich both himself and his community. His involvement with theatre, film, radio and television has sparked an artistic creativity that carries over to his work with disabled and high-priority youth. Parson’s body of work spans nearly five decades and he has played too many benefits, bars and small venues to be named. Throughout his career, Scott has been more than willing to donate his time and energy to his community. He has played at many benefits for individuals and organizations and performed at citizenship ceremonies for the province of PEI and the government of Canada.
Vince the Messenger
Vince the Messenger is a Charlottetown-based rapper. Born Daniel Butterfield in Toronto, he moved to Charlottetown with his mom and brother when he was three years old. His dad was a musician in Toronto, playing guitar and drums in various bands around the city, and instilled a love of music in Butterfield early on. While his influences vary in era, Vince The Messenger’s moody, boom-bap sound is unquestionably that of the future, much of it built with fellow Islander and producer Niimo, referencing golden-era hip hop and carrying layers of personal-is-political lyricism that is timeless.
King Sway
Newfoundland is home to award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, TV Personality and producer, King Sway, born Farai Gwasira in his native Zimbabwe. He is known for his witty wordplay, curious sound, and creative style that combine stories of pain throughout his life and a sense of uneasiness with melodies that hit the heart at just the right spot. Sway’s sound transcends any particular genre and is known for crossing over from pop rap to trap, dancehall, R&B and Pop.
Jah’Milla
Nova Scotia is home to JUNO nominee Jah’Milla who is nominated for Reggae Album of the Year for her album Roots Girl. She has recently performed with Aquakulture as part of the Road to the JUNOS celebrations in Halifax.
Jah’Mila has been singing professionally since she was 17 years old. She performed background vocals for the band Dub Kartel and sang harmonies for The Wailers, Black Uhuru, Cherine Anderson, and The Congos. She made her solo debut in 2016 with the song, “Reggae Got Soul”. In 2022, Jah’Mila released her debut LP, Roots Girl. Her father, guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, played on the album, which was recorded in Jamaica.
Aquakultre
Funk musician Aquakultre, born Lance Sampson, brings an amazing performance every time he plays. He traces roots through his childhood home in Halifax’s Uniacke Square community to his ancestors in Africville, through the United States and ultimately to Nigeria. He is a Polaris Prize-nominated and Prism Prize-winning artist who came to national prominence in 2018 when he won CBC’s Searchlight competition with a recording of his song “Sure”.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH ALLON HERE:
Allon McCall
Breaking the stereotype of what Black musicians are perceived to be, EchoSeven, with Black drummer Allon McCall prove Black people can perform any instrument. Allon is from New York but moved to Moncton, New Brunswick almost two decades ago. After a tentative start in 2016 as a music “project” of McCall and guitarist Justin Larracey, the guys got serious about their music in 2019 and began recruiting more members. There are currently four members in the band, with their sound being a blend of Prog Rock, Metal, Folk, Grunge, Classical, K-Pop making their music riff driven and loud, with punchy drums, pop/grunge lyrics and melodic catchy hooks.
7AO
Young performer 7AO (pronounced tae-ō) is not only musically gifted, but is also studying to be a doctor. Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick he is a rapper/songwriter. He was nominated for three Music New Brunswick awards for his EP idrk. He has been busy creating and puts efforts into his social media to encourage listeners and support through well done reels and enticing posts.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH DEE HERE:
Dee Hernandez
Cuban musician Dee Hernandez moved to Canada several years ago and in 2003 decided to take another jump in her music and tryout for season three of the vocal competition TV show Canadian Idol. Though she came just shy of making the Top 10 she is a sensation. Dee has played all over Cuba, the East Coast, Quebec and has brought her Cuban flair far to treat all of those who hear her. She recent worked with legend Maestro Fresh Wes (who now calls New Brunswick home) on his show,
One8Tea
Gospel/Rap performer One8Tea has made history in New Brunswick as an award-winning Canadian hip-hop artist. He is the founder of One8tea Ministries which is an organization focused on supporting youth in communities all over Canada using concerts and workshops covering topics such as faith, bullying, teen suicide and drug awareness. One8tea was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has experienced eveything from homelessness to a heavy cocaine addiction. In 2010, he entered into a faith-based rehab program called Teen Challenge. Upon graduation in 2011, One8tea founded One8tea Ministries and released three mixtapes and produced an album for a national charity. He then released five independent studio albums with Reverence winning a 2017 Covenant Award for Rap Album of the Year and Ventilation being nominated for a 2019 ECMA award and two 2019 Covenant Awards. In 2021 he won the Music NB Award for Song of the Year and became the first Black artist to ever win a Music NB award. He wasn’t done there when in 2022 he won the ECMA Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year. He also took home two 2022 Covenant Awards, Rap Song of the Year and Rap Artist of the Year. through Gospel Music Association of Canada.
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