Manitoba Music
About BPM | Black Professionals in Music
The Black community has an immeasurable impact on music and culture across the globe and here in Manitoba. Everyday, we listen to music created, produced, and inspired by Black artists yet they still face discrimination and barriers within the industry. Dismantling these barriers begins with recognizing the need for Black music professionals to have their own specific spaces within the industry.
Launched in February 2021 and facilitated originally by Andrew Sannie and now Tomiwa Omolayo, BPM | Black Professionals in Music is a program via Manitoba Music that supports Black music professionals in Manitoba. BPM presents quarterly mixers for participants to meet and build their community and networks, followed by live performances. Participants can bring ideas, share their professional needs and barriers, and influence the future direction of the program.
Black music makers and industry professionals from Manitoba are welcome. To get involved, please email bpm@manitobamusic.com.
Tomiwa Omolayo
BPM Coordinator
TOMMYPHYLL is an AFRODIEM artist and producer from Lagos Nigeria and has called Winnipeg home for the past 9 years. After releasing his debut self-produced album “Art of DREAMS” in 2020 he’s had his foot on the pedal and hasn’t taken it off since. Having Graced multiple stages with big names in AFROBEATS and more, he continues to deliver electrifying performances with every appearance he makes. He strongly believes that you’ll be a fan once you’re three songs into his discography. When he isn’t working on music, TOMMYPHYLL is working in music and Fashion under the code name “TOMIWA” He has done work with the St Norbert Arts Center, Folk Music Ontario, IRAEDAY and on occasion provides artist consultation.
BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq
BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq is a partnership between Manitoba Music and Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq. The series celebrates Black music makers through quarterly free concerts and mixers in the iconic gallery through the BPM | Black Professionals in Music program at Manitoba Music.
The concert features emerging artists and DJs from Black music communities in Manitoba The intimate setting allows the artists to express themselves through stripped-down, visceral performances that address identity and community, and celebrate the African Diaspora.
The evening also includes mixer throughout the night for Black music makers as well as local music companies, labels, venues, and festivals looking to make deeper connections with the Black music community in Manitoba. Meetups for artists and music entrepreneurs are core to BPM’s community-building focus, offering an opportunity to share ideas, professional needs, and barriers, and make vital career connections. Food is provided by local Black-owned restaurants and/or caterers.
The project was made possible by the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, the Manitoba Government, and Manitoba Film & Music.
The series is coordinated by Tomiwa Omolayo.
The original artwork for BPM was created by Keisha Booker.
Upcoming BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq events
September 26, 2025
November 21, 2025
February 20, 2026
BPM X CCFM
A new partnership with Centre culturel franco-manitobain (CCFM) launched in 2024, BPM X CFFM created a new opportunity for Black music makers in Manitoba to explore creative collaboration and share music live at Le Patio 340.
The inaugural project featured a day-long songcamp led by acclaimed local act the Dr. Henry Band featuring local artists culminating in a free concert and showcase at the picturesque St. Boniface patio space. The band worked with the artists to explore different Black music genres and styles (e.g. Dancehall, Reggae, Gospel, Afrobeats, Jazz, Hip Hop, etc.) and how those elements and styles can be incorporated into the artists’ music. After the songcamp, Dr. Henry Band brought the music to Le Patio 340’s stage along with the songcamp participants, who each shared a few songs followed by DJ Konjo spinning tunes. The event was free and open to the public.
There was additional professional development programming, including a demo listening session with Chantal Anais of Wracket Music Supervision.
The project was made possible by the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, The Government of Manitoba, and Manitoba Film and Music.
Stay tuned for more info about a second edition of BPM X CCFM in August 2025.
BPM Playlist
Coinciding with the BPM program, Manitoba Music launched a Spotify playlist to recognize Black artists from Manitoba, celebrating their contributions and amplifying their voices, featuring guest curators from the local community.
Guest curator spots are open to all BPM participants and offer a small honorarium. Email info@manitobamusic.com if you're interested in signing up for a spot.
Guest curators will be asked to provide:
- A Spotify playlist link (songs will be copied to Manitoba Music's Spotify) of up to one hour featuring Black artists from Manitoba.
- Playlist may include up to three songs by the guest curator, if applicable.
- A short bio
open.spotify.com/playlist/6MReHjtpr0uTo8mQoMasO5?si=537302e0ba7a4b9e
BPM Speaker Series
Manitoba Music celebrated Black History Month in 2021 with the launch of a virtual speaker series featuring Black music industry professionals. The series aims to connect with and inspire emerging Black music entrepreneurs and musicians and recognize the immeasurable impact of the Black community on music and culture across the globe and here in Manitoba.
The series was presented through the BPM | Black Music Professionals program and in partnership with Black History Manitoba and featured influential speakers sharing their career journeys and lived experiences working in the music business, showing different career paths. The series will be streamed live via our Facebook and YouTube. The BPM Speaker Series was made possible by the support of FACTOR.
Watch the first BPM Speaker Series with Vivian Barclay