Manitoba Music
BPM | Black Professionals in Music
About BPM
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.
The original artwork for BPM was created by Keisha Booker.
Upcoming BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq events
September 13, 2024
November 1, 2024
February 28, 2025
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
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