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FYI

Malachi: Right Now

The young Toronto hip-hop artist is quickly turning ears with this debut single. It features skittery beats, a catchy refrain, and a cool sports reference.

Malachi: Right Now

By Kerry Doole

Malachi - "Right Now" (21 Entertainment/Republic Records/Universal Music Canada): This debut single marks the 21-year-old Toronto artist as one to watch. Released last month, it has already attracted impressive streaming numbers and YouTube views. 


It mixes hip-hop and R&B strains fluidly, with Malachi narrating over skittery beats, and it sports a catchy refrain. Bonus points for the Scotty Pippen namecheck.

Growing up on the outskirts of Toronto, Malachi spent his childhood surrounded by music of all kinds. From his Trinidadian-born father’s reggae career to his mother’s favourite R&B singers like Mary J. Blige, and Destiny’s Child, music was always part of his environment (he joined his grandmother's church’s gospel choir at the age of 4). Over the last three years, he has concentrated on sharpening his songwriting skills.

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His talent caught the attention of noted Canadian music manager, Chris Smith, who signed Malachi to his 21 Entertainment imprint via Universal Music Canada and Republic Records.

In a label press release, Malachi explains that "I have things I want to express through music because I understand how music is such a great way to cope with any feelings – good or bad. I want to make music that connects with people, and when people hear me sing about happiness or sadness or heartache, they can identify because they know it’s real and it’s authentic."

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Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​
FYI

Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​

The man behind one of Canada's most successful indie labels talks about the late-blooming success of French-language streaming record-holder Patrick Watson, why he builds long-term relationships with artists, and why it's important for the indie sector to work together.

Justin West is a leader and advocate in Canada’s independent music scene, but he didn’t plan it out that way. When he started his record label Secret City Records in Montreal in the mid-2000s, it was out of necessity. He had met an artist he loved and wanted to build a career with, and the label was a means to do it. That artist was Patrick Watson, and 20 years later he — and Secret City — are more successful than ever.

West — a multiple time Billboard Canada Power Player – leads one of the biggest indie labels in Canada while also advocating for the sector on multiple boards both locally and internationally. When we speak to him for this Executive of the Week interview, he’s just returned from Banff for the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, and is a central figure in discussions around the Online Streaming Act and collective negotiations with online streaming platforms.

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