Samantha O'Connor Joins MRG Live as Senior Talent Buyer, Will Continue to Lead RAPSEASON

Samantha O’Connor has been appointed as MRG Live’s senior talent buyer.

The music industry executive continue to lead RAPSEASON, Canada’s biggest hip-hop concert and culture promoter.

O’Connor previously led the brand in her last role as talent buyer at INK Entertainment. In her new role at MRG, she will continue to grow the RAPSEASON brand and promote shows across the country.

Founded in 2015, RAPSEASON has presented concerts with a-list artists including Future, Central Cee, Cardi B, Post Malone, Summer Walker and Daniel Caesar ,to name just a small sample. Now, RAPSEASON moves from INK to MRG, one of the country’s largest independent concert and live event companies.

“With the support and resources of MRG Live, I’m excited to continue growing the RAPSEASON brand, not only in Toronto, but nationally and internationally," says O'Connor. "This next chapter offers an incredible opportunity to expand our reach, connect with new audiences, and spotlight the talent that drives the culture forward."

Under O’Connor’s leadership, RAPSEASON is set to be introduced to new markets across its network throughout Canada. Currently, The MRG Group owns and operates 14 properties in Canada, including Toronto's Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Adelaide Hall, Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre and The Revelry in Kelowna, British Columbia, and produces over 1,000 live shows annually through MRG Live. RAPSEASON branded content will also be integrated with the company's media publication, Beatroute.

"Samantha O'Connor has proven a great astuteness in securing top-tier, identifying emerging talent and continuing to build the RAPSEASON brand,” shares Matt Gibbons, president of The MRG Group. “We are looking forward to both her and the brand’s further growth as they both integrate into our global network, our resources and our overall strategic approach.”

RAPSEASON’s acquisition and O’Connor’s subsequent appointment follow The MRG Group’s recent management agreement with . The organization will manage live entertainment bookings, operations and event delivery for the intimate venue.

O'Connor was an honouree at Billboard Canada Women in Music in 2024. She offered this advice to the next generation of music industry workers: “Our game runs on results and relationships. There isn’t one path to or mould for either of those things. So, trust your own process and remember there is enough room in the industry for all of us. You will have a lot more fun and enjoy the journey by staying authentically yourself and continuing to remember why you wanted to play.”