Maxx: As a first generation Canadian with Rwandan parents Maxx has experienced the highs and lows of adjusting to Canadian culture all while still keeping his Rwandan roots strong. With his family being refugees in Canada, Maxx was born in Quebec and at the age of 4 his family moved to Ontario. Being first born Canadian, Maxx looked for opportunities to immerse himself in urban culture and lifestyle that he was fortunate to witness in Ontario. As he witnessed the music in his life affect people through mind body and soul he knew that this was his calling and how he was going to make a change in society one song at a time. In 2008 his family made a final move and settled in Edmonton, where he started the transition into school where he met fellow group mate Romario. This is where they both discovered their passion for making a change, and inpiring others to defy all odds and overcoming struggles thru telling their stories and lives with their gift of music. Along side Romario, Maxx made a choice to give back to the community and show his gratitude by volunteering with Black History Month for the last 3 years, fundraisers including Coats for Kids, Stollery Children’s Hospital, Ace Charity for youths, National Education Day as well as Multicultural Day among numerous other causes within the city. After winning Hip Hop Artist of the Year alongside Romario and DVC’s Dezy, in 2016, Maxx realized that his talent and love for music was deep within him, so he decided to put his focus and priority towards creating a new wave of music. With his dedication and focus he was blessed to perform as the weekend headliner alongside fellow group mates Romario and Slim Savage at the first annual Afrofest in June of 2017. With every effort Maxx puts forward creating new music, he never forgets his dream of blessing his home country and showing love for where his roots are so strong and carrying on his legacy that his family has engrained in him by performing with complete gratitude and giving hope to those who gave him courage.
Romario: Born and raised in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 10 years of his life Romario has experienced below average lifestyle. He grew up not having a lot but knowing his family values and where he stood in his life moving forward. The land back home he has in his family showed him the meaning of legacy and family unit which has grounded him. One thing Romario was quickly exposed to was music as radios were more common in the countryside where he grew up. At age 10, Romario joined his mom who was already in Canada to experience the better life that she sought out for him and his siblings. Migrating to Montreal is where he first experienced the value of learning a second language and the culture of music eastern Canada had to offer. Romario quickly became friends at that time with other islanders who helped expose him to the rap and hip hop culture. When his family decided to move to Edmonton that is when he really grew himself within his music and had a drive to make his last name mean something. As making the transition into school he met fellow group mate Maxx and they soon discovered they both had a passion for music and telling their story through that avenue. As Romario grew up and started to look forward to where music could take him, he wanted to reach back to his roots and give back to the community that welcomed his growth in music. That is where Maxx and him started to volunteer their time back into the community for Black History Month for the last three years, fundraisers including Coats for Kids, Ace Charity for youths, as well as National Education Day, and Multicultural Day at the University of Alberta. After winning hip hop artist of the year with fellow group mate Maxx as well as DVC member Dezy in 2016 that is when Romario decided to really focus on moving his music forward. In the process of being in the studio three times a week Romario looked for other opportunities to reach the community. That is where just recently in June of 2017 he was able to perform at the first annual Afrofest as the main headliner. With each passing day that Romario is blessed to wake up and record, he knows this is only the beginning of being an emerging artist who will help shape the face of new music in Canada.
ITOSH: ITOSH a.k.a International African Psyko! Is an independent ReggaePop – AfroFusion & Dancehall artist, recently released his first EP which got recognition from Buju Banton, Morgan Heritage & also got him awarded @GBEDU 2016 AWARDS as Best Male Pop & Most Versatile artist. He’s been topping Reverbnation music chart www.reverbnation.com/iToshMusic for best Dancehall artist @No1-5 since he dropped his track – WHAT YA DO 2ME www.soundcloud.com/iToshMusic Graining lots of fans in thedancehall in Europe & brazil he’s also gotten recognition and respect from Top producers in the United States like K.E on the Track (Rick Ross / Future) producers & also got interest from Warner Bros.
ITOSH is currently touring West Africa to promote his E.P (FLEXXX); A 10 track album in which he dedicated: #LONELY ; as Tribute song to 2012 DANA AIRCASH Victims which took over 200 Lives ; including 2 close friends. The track is also a dedication to Africans/Blacks in Diaspora & everyone all over the world; whose been victims of racial prejudice & victims of global terrorism. . “We’ll surely miss them”. https://youtu.be/V5nvDfq7uP4 https://youtu.be/-xawsEmXUC0
Slim Savage: Sammy Dumbuya known by his stage name Slim Savage was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone but at the age of 5 his mother decided to move to Canada and pursue opportunity. As the only son to a single mom life wasn’t always easy as he had to grow up fast and assume responsibility to help with his siblings. Even as Slim Savage had run-ins with the law and got into some trouble, the one thing that was a foundation for him was his love of music. From a young age Slim Savage always had a hunger to be great and his survival for his family is what kept him going to stay motivated. He used music as a way to stay out of trouble and off the streets. Much like other artists he used his love and passion for music to connect with people and tell his story of struggle, trouble but the blessing of overcoming. Slim Savage wanted to use his talent and passion of music to inspire others to show that anyone from any background can accomplish anything they put their mind to. The music has always been a part of Slim’s life from rap battles on the basketball court to free styling to showing the pain he has overcome. Slim wants to share his life thru music and any opportunity he has gotten he has shown gratitude. With his start in performing in nightclubs in Canada, he has made his transition to giving back to his community alongside his fellow group mates by performing for fundraisers such as the Stollery Children’s Hospital and Sierra Leones Independence Day Celebration in Toronto. After seeing how his music has affected his community and family, he has decided that this is the path that has been chosen for him. In 2016 Slim Savage was awarded Rap Artist of the Year and with that his passion and love grew deeper for music. Teaming up with Romario and Maxx, Slim recently took his career to another level by headlining the first annual Afrofest in Edmonton. This was a highlight for his career and personal stand as he is a proud Sierra Leonean and has nothing but gratitude for the people who have shown him grace. With every day he is blessed to have, Slim is making sure his community knows his gratitude and with every strive he makes within the industry he does it for his mother, who from nothing gave him everything and in return thru music he has a vision so big to change Africa, his family tree and the legacy of his last name Dumbuya.
Jayde F Crazy: I am writing today to endorse a highly suitable individual Jayde F Crazy, in many ways exceeding the challenging requirements and expectation for the best R&B, HIP HOP local artist of the year. To further support this nomination, I would be pleased to express in more details, my personal insight into Jayde, as a promoter and supporter, he is well known for few of his hit song, like fake friends, mupenzi, bleed for it to name a few. I have witness this individual grow into amazing, intelligent, uplifting, talented, great singer and person he is, he worked to hard to be where he is today with his music, he deserve to be nominated and rewarded for his hard work. Music change his life in so many ways, here are few of his amazing songs Mupenzi, Fake Friends ,I ain’t with the talking and I know. It’s has been a privilege to know this brilliant and dedicated individual. I nominate him and ask that to please call me if I can further assist you in this regard.
Betty Abebayehu: Betty is a hardworking person, with a passion for community. She was heavily involved in Afro Fest, helping to organize the event, as well as performing. She is a kind person, who is supportive of others, and respects all in the community. Betty has also performed at other events, such as the Diamond Walk Festival which advocates against bullying. Betty represents the best of what the AC Awards is about, helping others, as well as being an artist. Someone kind nominated me, and my life has never been the same. Winning the award for 2016 Writer Of The Year, has been an impetus, has helped propel me further in terms of my creative path as a young adult fantasy author. I’m getting more recognition, and opportunities, because of winning the award. Nominating someone is what I would like to do, as I find that is a way of paying it forward.
