Blind Producer/Artist Mattmac Wins RBC WoF Emerging Artist Prize

By FYI Staff

This year’s grand prize emerging artist winner of the RBC Canada Walk of Fame winner is Winnipeg-based Mattmac, a blind pop-trap beats creator from Garden Hill First Nation.

Launching his career in 2016, he’s subsequently worked with Grammy and Juno Award-winning artist and Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee Nelly Furtado, garnered more than 800,000+ streams, and amassed acclaim from CBC, CTV and Virgin Radio.

 “Winning this award will open doors in the music industry that will take me to the next level of my career, and I’m so grateful. Coming from a small reserve in northern Manitoba, opportunities like this aren’t readily available, and I hope that this incredible recognition will inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to,” Mattmac said on learning he has won this year’s award.

“Big shout out to Canada’s Walk of Fame, the judges, and RBC for providing me this platform to show young people what they can achieve if they work for their dreams.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Mattmac will receive a cash prize of $20K, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at the Metalworks Studios.

A cash prize of $10,000 goes to Toronto-based performer Jordan Hart for Second Prize, and the three finalists (Mindflip, Cassie Dasilva, and Benjamin Dakota Rogers) will receive cash prizes of $5K each.

All recipients will have opportunities to elevate their careers, including:

1. Group mentorship sessions with a Canada’s Walk of Fame inductee or Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree

2. Dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program

3. Financial support ($2K) for a live-off-the-floor performance video filmed in the winner’s hometown

4. Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent

5. A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2023 along with a Festival Access Pass

6. Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus

7. And, a performance at Winnipeg’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2023.

WoF CEO Jeffrey Latimer, as per the press release, stated: “The RBC Emerging Musician Program launched ten years ago with a commitment to empower and elevate the next generation of Canadian musicians. From Faro, Yukon to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Courtenay, British Columbia, to Mistissini, Quebec, our winners over the years have spanned multiple genres of music, influences, and personal stories. The diversity in the submissions we receive annually from the next generation of musicians and songwriters is inspiring. This year’s recipients have amassed a fanbase and are on the cusp of breaking through to the mainstream. We are proud to be a part of their journey, shine a light on their talent and give them a platform to share a stage with the greatest of Canadian achievers.”