The Remix Project: Reshaping Future Creatives in Toronto
Three artists chronicle their experiences with the Remix Project and uncover what makes the program an integral part of the creative community in Toronto.
By Bianca Thompson
Image via Office Snapshots
Toronto is a magnetic city filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Creatives who recognize they have an immense amount of talent and vision, but their dreams feel out of reach because they haven’t been offered a seat at the table.
Singers like Rachelle Show, who knew she found her calling at a young age. Rachelle grew up watching her father, two-time Juno nominee Show-Do-Man, dedicate his life to music. After his passing in 2011, she rediscovered herself through singing, and says she made it her goal to “carry on his legacy so he’s never forgotten.”
Image via Instagram/@RachelleShow
As a live performer, Rachelle knew she was unstoppable. Yet, she was unsure of how to turn her passion into a successful career as an artist. That was until she was introduced to a program that would help her uncover a new world of opportunities.
At the core of the city, perched on the fifth floor of the Artscape Daniels Launchpad, lies a program called the Remix Project, filled with a community of individuals dedicated to helping young creatives succeed.
This multidisciplinary space is made up of three programs: Recording Arts, Creative Arts, and Business Arts. Their mission is to “help level the playing field for young people from disadvantaged, marginalized and underserved communities,” the official website reads.
Responsible for the rise to fame of names like four-time Juno-winning singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez and powerhouse producer WondaGurl, the Remix Project has the means to help shape the future creatives of Toronto.
“I was doing research on female artists who’ve made it out of Toronto, and the first person that came up was Jessie Reyez,” says Rachelle, who is currently enrolled in Round 17.0 of the Recording Arts program.
“I did a deep dive into her history and found out one of the programs she started with was the Remix Project. I didn't really understand what it was about, but I knew it was a program that would help me excel to the next level.”
For musicians living in a competitive city like Toronto, sometimes it’s intimidating to take those next steps, or when they finally find the courage to do so, they find themselves at a dead end. A lot of artists feel discouraged by having a lack of support, or not being able to afford things like equipment, studio time, or other essential resources.
“My biggest struggle as an artist was not having enough time in the studio, or the guidance in the studio to create what I need to create and find my sound. I think providing me with that studio space and studio time was everything for me,” says Rachelle. “You know, before you're thinking like you're in a box, but now the spectrum has broadened. And I just think the possibilities are endless.”
The nine month pro bono program requires students to meet a minimum of 10 hours per week, where they dedicate time to advancing their craft. From artist development classes, vocal lessons, prominent guest panels, grant writing workshops, and more, students leave the program with new experience, wisdom, and opportunity.
For an up-and-coming artist like MDRA, who’s also enrolled in Round 17.0 of the Recording Arts Program, her biggest obstacle was reaching out to the right people and removing all distractions so she could focus on putting in the work.
“The resources are there, you just have to grab it. Closed mouths don't get fed, so you have to ask for what you want,” says MDRA.
Image via Instagram/@MadeByMadara
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter says the Remix Project forced her to level up and she’s since been reaping the rewards. In May, MDRA performed live at MajorStage Studio, a YouTube platform with nearly 50K subscribers. Consistently focusing on her craft also led her to have her singles “Forbes” and “Not Born to Behave” premiere on Complex Canada.
“I see how everybody else makes sure they’re in this space and it really motivates you to go harder and find the time. If I can’t make it to Remix, I’m going to go to the studio to put in that work because I see my peers doing the same,” she says. “You need to make time for the thing you see yourself doing in the future, you want to make that your main goal.”
The life of an independent creative can be extremely taxing. While providing valuable resources, the Remix Project also offers its students a sanctuary. The alumni become a part of a community of like-minded individuals who uplift, collaborate, and put each other on game.
Fame Holiday, a Remix alumni who received the Making It Happen Award for his dedication and positive impact in his round, says the program boosted his confidence, gave him direction, and filled in the missing pieces he needed to jump start his musical career.
Fame entered the program feeling good about his abilities as a live performer and a recording artist, but was surprised at how much more there was to learn.“Not every artist is the same, and not every artist follows a certain blueprint. Everyone has their own journey,” he says.
Image via Instagram/@OfficialFameHoliday
“I feel like I learned a lot more about myself. You definitely learn a lot about the business aspect of things and it changes your perspective. It's one thing to make the music, be really good at music, and continuously drop songs, but there's so much more on the business side in terms of monetizing.”
Since graduating from the Remix Project, Fame has racked up 10K monthly listeners on Spotify, been featured in Amazon Music’s Rotation North playlist, won Best Album of the Year for his project, “ShowTime,” by the City of Mississauga, and curated his first musical showcase titled Fame Fest.
“I was definitely there on the recording aspect, but I was missing the team, better branding, and the connections—the network,” he says. “At the end of the day, you could be super talented, but if you have no connections or network, this is not going to work out the way you wanted it to.”
He adds, “I got my own DJ from Remix. Before, I was doing photoshoots outside on the street. Now, I got to do proper photoshoots and those photos landed on billboards in Dundas Square. Another person I connected with at Remix ended up helping me get a Foot Locker Puma campaign deal, which was really dope.”
Where do programs like Remix come from? It’s clear this program was not created to gain notoriety. The founders, board of directors, and contributors prefer to stay low-key. It’s a hidden gem in Toronto that few have discovered but many would benefit from. Through funders like Universal Music Canada, RBC Emerging Artists, October’s Very Own, Toronto Arts Council, Warner Music Canada, and many more, this program is able to continue to help underprivileged youth fulfill their aspirations and bring members of the creative community together.
“If you get an opportunity to be in this space, it will provide you with the tools that you need to excel in your career,” says Rachelle. “Just go for it. You will never regret it. Like, what do you have to lose? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
