In their Twitter bio, BizZarh describes themselves as ‘two intuitive girls from the hood’ but it’s clear that they are so much more. The genre-bending duo rap and sing over a diverse array of beats to create a variety of vibes that can’t be defined or contained.
Read Moretoronto
MARA
Mara is a participant of Freshmen Friday's Sound Off! program.
Where are you from?: Hamilton.
Where do you live now?: I still live in Hamilton and I love it. We get a lot of shade but if you know where to go its a beautiful city. We're next up, I promise you.
What do you do for work?: Singing/songwriting.
What do you do for fulfillment?: I always feel the most alive while performing my music for an audience. I also love to travel and I'm really big on hiking too. Something about the forest brings me peace.
What is your dream creative project?: A full length album & accompanying book of photos and poetry. I would also love to design a home from top to bottom.
Do you consider yourself a freshman, sophomore or senior in your field?: I'm still a freshman. I have lots to learn but I'm eager to get there.
What can’t you leave the house without?: You'll never catch me without a bottle of water or cherry chapstick. I have an addiction.
What would your perfect 24 hours consist of?: I’d wake up and go swimming for a few hours. Then, I’d take a walk through a forest and write some poetry under the shade of a big tree. Next, I would hit the studio for a while to finish a new track. Then I would eat pasta for dinner, watch the sunset by the water, and finish the day around a bonfire with my friends.
Where's your favourite place to eat?: Moo Frites in Kensington Market. French fries are my life.
Where's your favourite place to dance?: Sous Bas is the only place in Hamilton worth going to. The owner always brings in great DJs from all over, and the crowd is very laid-back and carefree. I always feel comfortable there.
Where's your favourite place to drink?: Anywhere with a rooftop patio & good lighting.
Where's your favourite place to shop?: Whenever I'm in Toronto I always love to rifle through the vintage shops in Kensington.
What are your go-to tunes for getting ready to leave the house in the morning?: I love listening to Soulection Radio. It has so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Sampha, SiR, and Snoh Aalegra are also my current favourites.
What are your go-to tunes for exercising?: Anything by Skepta or Rico Nasty.
What are your go-to tunes for going out for a night on the town?: Anything produced by Pharrell/the Neptunes from the early 2000's.
What do you think are the qualities of a life well lived?: Being completely at peace with the person you've become and the things that you've accomplished.
Who are 3 people that inspire you:
Mike Charuk
Jessica Stiliadis
Gat Kong
Ross Medaglia
Ross Medaglia is an emerging creative multi-hyphenate based in Toronto and hailing from Sault Ste Marie. Though he dabbles in music, photography and painting, his foundation is in graphic design.
Read MoreFabio Dessena
Fabio Dessena is a UK-based model and rapper. With campaigns for Fred Perry and New Era under his belt and collaborations with Jimmy Prime on the horizon, his future looks (and sounds) very promising.
Read MoreSumiko Wilson
in toronto, female, writer, 4, ff founders
Sumiko Wilson is a student and writer based in Toronto. Since getting her start in poetry, she began to explore different forms of writing and finally decided to pursue journalism at Ryerson. She now writes a column for HOLR Magazine and contributes freelance content to NOW Magazine and NewInHomes, the Toronto Star’s real estate subsidiary.
Read MoreTheo
Caitlin aka Theo is an emerging R&B singer and songwriter whose raw sound fits right into Toronto’s moody musical tapestry spearheaded by artists like The Weeknd.
Read MoreRaphael Sanchez
in art, toronto, male, photographer, graphic designer, gif, APT200, 3
Raphael was a part of our production team for the Joseph of Mercury shoot with Numero Homme.
You can follow Raphael here.
Where are you from?
Filipino-Canadian, born & raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Based in downtown Toronto.
What do you do?
I am a full-time freelancer and a recent graduate at the OCADU (Ontario College of Art & Design University).
GIF-making is so difficult! Any insider tips?
Simplicity is key. Think about when you're making an Instagram Boomerang. You'll get better results from a single, stable movement rather than frantic gestures. That simplicity paired with a clear focal point make a seamless gif you'll want to watch over and over again!
What is your dream creative project?
Wow, big question! There are too many to list, but one I see myself making a reality in the near future is to create a bi-annual QTPoC-friendly party that Toronto hasn't experienced yet. I want to spin the music I love in a space that I had creative direction over.
What are your go-to tunes for…
Rising? - I have a 90s RnB & old school disco playlist on repeat just for my mornings, but Estrelar by Marcos Valle is my exit song.
Exercising? - A good jersey club mix. Sam Tiba, Skype Williams or SWISHA come to mind.
Partying? - Depends on the kiki i’m going to, but Justice, Daft Punk and the songs of the Bloghaus era have a special spot in my heart.
Where are your favorite places in Toronto to…
Eat? - Manpuku Japanese Eatery in the Village Grange Food Court. Donburi-don with a fried egg on top.
Dance? - I prefer a smaller venue with just the right amount of grunge. It makes for such an intimate, sexy atmosphere. Coda, Drake Underground, Apt 200, and the Black Eagle are few of the places I frequent.
Drink? - Whiskey. Double Jameson on the rocks.
Shop? - Uniqlo for my basics. Most of my “fashion pieces” come from instagram stores or from friends that started making merch.
Is there something you really want to do in your city that you haven't yet?
Skating under The Bentway.
List three people that inspire you…
Mimi Vuong - Director & Graphic Designer
Adrian Muir - Cinematographer & DJ
Mark Galura - Motion Graphics Designer
Freeza Chin
Where do you live?: Toronto
What do you do for work?: I am a DJ as well as an audio engineer and music producer. I co-own and operate a professional recording studio called Genesis Sound Inc.
What do you do for fulfillment?: My work basically crosses over into what I do for fulfilment, but on top of the music stuff I enjoy helping my friends in their creative endeavours.
What is your dream creative project?: My dream creative project is to build a musical body of work from the ground up for an amazing artist - writing, producing, recording, mixing and mastering the whole thing from start to finish (ideally with an unlimited budget).
Do you consider yourself a freshman, sophomore or senior in your field?: I would probably say somewhere between sophomore and senior. I've been a DJ for over 15 years and a profesional engineer for 8 years.
What can’t you leave the house without?: My phone!
Where's your favourite place to eat?: House Of Gourmet for legit chinese food at any hour
Where's your favourite place to dance?: Parts & Labour for PartyBoobyTrap, Apt. 200, The Socialite for Unruly Fridays or wherever YYY is at (usually NEST)
Where's your favourite place to drink?: I'm a pretty casual drinker and only really drink while I'm DJing, so wherever that may be at the time I suppose!
Where's your favourite place to shop?: MOOG Audio
What are your go-to tunes for getting ready to leave the house in the morning?: My alarm clock on my phone is "Heart Monitor Riddem" by Kurupt FM (and JAYEMKAYEM hates it).
What are your go-to tunes for exercising?: "Know Better" by Headie One, "Hold That (L)" by Rocks FOE or anything from Aidonia
What are your go-to tunes for going out for a night on the town?: "Bussdown" by Maxo Kream and "Turf" by Sean Leon makes me want to punch people.
Kindly recommend 3 people that inspire you:
Tre Mission
Diamond Osoteo
Marcus Visionary
Who recommended you?: JAYEMKAYEM
Milly J
Milly was a part of our production team for the Joseph of Mercury shoot with Numero Homme.
You can follow Milly here.
Where are you from?
From Toronto, currently living in Brockton Village.
What do you do?
I work full time as a Makeup Artist + Hairstylist. Most days you can find me in the studio working in TV or at Photo Shoots. But one of the many amazing things about my profession is how varied my job and environment can be.
Give us a beauty tip!?
Take a moment to prep your canvas - whether you're doing your own makeup or working on someone else's hair. Spending that extra 60 seconds prepping with moisturizer, oil or whatever it may be can actually save you time in the end.
What is your dream creative project?
Wow - that's a hard one because dreams are endless opportunities. I have so much respect and admiration for Performers - Actors & Singers. They are so fearless and inspiring in their crafts. A dream would be to art direct a creative photo shoot with some of my favourite performers as the subjects - Donald Glover, Gillian Anderson, Rihanna, James McAvoy, Ilana Glazer to name just a few performers that I find inspiring and think would be so fun to shoot in a creative setting. Not only would working with them and conceptualizing a photo shoot be amazing but would also bring the opportunity to work with so many other amazing creatives from the photographer to stylist to other HMUAs.
What are your go-to tunes for…
Rising? - Something upbeat and positive like Anderson.Paak
Exercising? - High Intensity Rap & Hip-Hop & Femme Power Tracks like "Pass Out" - Tinie Tempah, "Holy Key" - DJ Khaled, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean & "Formation" - Beyonce
Partying? - Upbeat R&B and Rap, especially some older tracks from the early 2000's like "Body Party" - Ciara & "So Gone" - Monica
Where are your favorite places to…
Eat? - Two of my current addictions are Famiglia Baldassarre & White Lily Diner
Dance? - Well I haven't gotten out to dance in quite some time, I do work primarily in morning TV after all. However this past weekend my boyfriend and I had an impromptu St. Paddys/birthday party at our house and a dance party ensued - so can I say my own living room?
Drink? - Soho House & Rhum Corner
Shop? - Smoke + Ash, Adidas, V de V, & Town. Also will be missing Nomad (RIP) to shop for presents for the BF that I know eventually I will steal.
Is there something you really want to do in your city that you haven't yet?
I've always wanted to try stand up paddle boarding - I love being outdoors & heard it's a great workout. Combined with the fact that our water is too dirty to swim in 😁
List three people that inspire you…
Elaine Jyll Regio - Fashion Market Editor at ELLE Canada
Ezio Bondi - Actor
Piotr Adas - Artist
Nader Abouzeid
Nader aka FunkyWhat is a forward-thinking beatmaker based in Montreal. The sophistication of his beats can be attributed to his background as a guitar player and his immersion in rock and skate culture. The amalgamation of these factors makes for stand-out hip-hop and R&B beats with an edge.
Read MoreAudré
Audre is an emerging artist from Scarborough. She seamlessly switches from fire freestyles to silky vocals to tell unique stories and create well-rounded tracks. Her infectious energy is juxtaposed next to her smooth vocals and moody beats from her producer IVI.
Read MoreMe Time
By day, Sarah Barrable-Tishauer is a marketing consultant for major brands. By night, she is DJ Me Time, a self-proclaimed ‘bass witch’. Since her character Liberty Van Zandt graduated on Degrassi, she has spent a decade putting in work in the marketing industry and has recently transitioned to freelance life to make room for more Me Time practicing behind the decks.
Stats: 13.1K followers
Read MoreIVI
IVI is a self-taught producer based in Scarborough. In contrast to some of his peers, IVI’s talents go beyond beatmaking. He works closely with artists to produce and develop their vocals, transforming a great beat into a great song.
Read MoreMookie Morris
Mookie Morris is a Canadian Idol alum with a laid-back, nostalgic musical style that spans far past the defunct show’s history. Mookie heads his own band, The Mooks, which features Owen Norquay on bass and Luis Figuero on drums. With Mookie on lead vocals and guitar, The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
Read MoreDawn Lam
Where are you from?: Montreal
Where do you live now?: Toronto
What do you do for work?: Culture Curator at an Advertising Agency
What do you do for fulfillment?: Live life with my friends.
What is your dream creative project?: Anything that involves food and fashion. Beautiful people in cute outfits eating amazing food... DREAM LIFE.
Do you consider yourself a freshman, sophomore or senior in your field?: Definitely a freshman creatively, but at work I am O-L-D as fuck.
What can’t you leave the house without?: Lip balm and my camera.
What's a typical day in the life for you?: Be prepared for the most boring day ever:
Get to work LATE. Every. Single. Day.
Think about what to have for lunch.
Eat lunch.
Have my 2nd lunch at 3pm.
Go home and make dinner (or go out to eat).
Watch Seinfeld.
Go to bed.
What would your perfect 24 hours consist of?: Waking up in a foreign country on a flawless day. Being able to wander aimlessly for hours and eat the most amazing local foods. If there are friends around, even better! Watch the sunset and then stay up to watch the sunrise.
Where's your favourite place to eat?: Impossible to answer.
Where's your favourite place to dance?: My friend's living room.
Where's your favourite place to drink?: For a cute drink, there are so many nice places in the city, but to get drunk?! ... My friend's living room.
Where's your favourite place to shop?: ONLINE. I cannot handle malls or shops anymore.
Is there something you really want to do in your city that you haven't yet?: Go to a drag show! How have I not yet?!
What are your go-to tunes for getting ready to leave the house in the morning?: I usually play Instagram stories as I'm getting ready, but on my way to work I'm either blasting 90s rap/r&b or UK grime.
What are your go-to tunes for going out for a night on the town?: BRITNEY. CIARA. BEYONCE. Or anything DISCO!!!
What was your new years resolution?: I never tell anyone because I'm afraid of jinxing it for myself.
What do you think are the qualities of a life well lived?: To be happy and comfortable with myself and my relationships. When you're able to attain that, there's no need for anything else.
Kindly recommend 3 people that inspire you:
Luis Figuero
Luis Figuero is the dynamic drummer for The Mooks, which also features Mookie Morris on lead vocals and guitar and Owen Norquay on bass. The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
Read MoreJaz Aminata
In their Twitter bio, BizZarh describes themselves as ‘two intuitive girls from the hood’ but it’s clear that they are so much more. The genre-bending duo rap and sing over a diverse array of beats to create a variety of vibes that can’t be defined or contained.
Read MoreOwen Norquay
Owen Norquay is a soulful,seasoned bass player with The Mooks, which also features Mookie Morris on lead vocals and guitar and Luis Figuero on drums. The Mooks evoke the ease of old-school rock with their own whimsical flair.
Read MoreGimme Mar
Gimme Mar is a participant of Freshmen Friday's Sound Off! program.
Where are you from?: Serbia/Vancouver
Where do you live now?: Toronto
What do you do for work?: DJ/Singer-Songwriter
What do you do for fulfillment?: Write, sing, dance, train/workout, travel
What is your dream creative project?: Creating a sick album and touring the world with it.
Do you consider yourself a freshman, sophomore or senior in your field?: Sophomore
What can’t you leave the house without?: Phone/Keys
What's a typical day in the life for you?: Quite different every day...but for the most part:
Morning:
Wake up, say my thank you's for being alive and well. Stretch, water, tea/coffee.
Reply to emails, look up new music/research pop culture stuff. Cold calls/Emails for new potential clients. Update my moodboard. Write.
Afternoon:
Workout (boxing, pilates, gym, run etc), meetings/errands
Evening:
If not DJ'ing - take a dance class, record some ideas at home or a studio, write, read, watch a film or documentary.
What would your perfect 24 hours consist of?: Travelling, being with loved ones, creating some cool shit - music/film/visuals, laughing, and eating good food/hydrating/sweating.
Where's your favourite place to eat?: Fresh, Calii Love
Where's your favourite place to dance?: UnderGround Dance Centre, at home in front of my mirror
Where's your favourite place to drink?: When I do go out (rare these days) - Soho House, Apt 200, Mahjong Bar, any rooftop with a good view
Where's your favourite place to shop?: Sub Rosa Vintage, Value Village, Uniqlo, Top Shop, Urban Outfitters, Nordstroms | Some favourite brands: IAMGIA (online), Nike, Vintage Prada/Gucci/Versace/Armani,
Is there something you really want to do in your city that you haven't yet?: Perform my own music at a big venue sold out show.
What are your go-to tunes for getting ready to leave the house in the morning?: 90's feel-good reggae
What are your go-to tunes for exercising?: HARD RAP - A$AP/SKEPTA/KANYE/DRAKE/FUTURE
What are your go-to tunes for going out for a night on the town?: Hard rap (same as excersizing) or sexy funkadelic 60's/70's soul sexy R&B keywords: HARD & SEXY
What was your new years resolution?: Didn't have one specifically for the year, but my motto this past couple of months is: ENJOY LIFE!!!
What do you think are the qualities of a life well lived?: Knowing what you want, what you enjoy doing, what you're good at and DOING IT EVERYDAY. Surrounding yourself with love and good energy, staying consistent and disciplined in anything you put your mind to. Achieving milestones you set for yourself and enjoying the feeling of all those accomplishments.
Kindly recommend 3 people that inspire you that we can continue the conversation with...: Nina Kiridzija ( @neeenze )
Teaunna Gray ( @teaunnagray )
Charlotte Johnston ( @charwhore)
Just John
John Samuels aka Just John is one of the rappers at the forefront of Toronto’s DIY art scene. His distinct look merges contemporary, bold leather looks and more classic militant vibes. Meanwhile, his musical style often blends trap with jazz. In addition to his own musical projects, John is the founder of Blank Canvas, a multidisciplinary arts collective that doubles as a platform for underrepresented emerging artists. You can often spot him vibing out to his own music and rocking his signature beret.
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