Manitoba Music
BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq Spotlights Black Music Makers with Concert & Mixer, and Artist Management Workshop
BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq returns with a new edition on Friday, November 1! 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 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.
BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq
Friday, November 1, 2024
Featuring tofusmell, Qway-C, DJ Gamabear
Free / Doors 6 PM / Music & Mixer 7 - 9 PM
Food by So Sumptuous
Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd
The concert will feature the 90s indie-folk-inspired acoustic sounds of tofusmell, the soul/R&B/hip hop sounds and Afrobeat/Amapiano melodies of Qway C, and DJ Gamabear spinning tunes throughout the night. The intimate setting allows the artists to express themselves through stripped-down, visceral performances that address identity and community, and celebrate the African Diaspora.
There'll be a 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.
BPM’s programming also included critical training opportunities in the afternoon following the WAG-Qaumajuq events. For this edition, For this panel, we will be joined by 3x JUNO-nominated, self-managed singer/songwriter Nuela Charles and Toronto-based artist manager and A&R Akeem Herbert of Red Music Rising to explore artists management topics on November 2, 2 - 4 PM at the Manitoba Music office for Behind the Beats: Managing Your Music Career. This session is free and open to all, pre-registration via Eventbrite is required.
Most recently, BPM programming included a three-day event, BPM X CCFM, which included a music supervision workshop and demo listening session. Earlier this year, BPM performers participated in a live performance coaching session. Creating new avenues for specialized professional development is an increasingly key component of BPM planning.
About the Artists / Mentors / Coordinator
tofusmell is the project from the bedroom of Rae Chen. Inspired by 90s indie-folk music, the acoustic sounds of tofusmell originals incorporate emotive lyrics to comment on and explore slices of life.
Qway C is a Winnipeg-born artist pulling influences from living in Ghana, West Africa as well as the Canadian prairies. He loves soul, ryhthym n blues, hip hop, and the Afrobeat/Amapiano melodies that inspire his sound.
His most recent release this spring titled "5 Star Whine" is an electrifying single, setting a great platform for more new music for all music lovers.
He's a big guy with an even bigger presence, and is truly excited to perform for you all tonight.
As a DJ, my career has been an incredible journey filled with unforgettable experiences. I've had the chance to play at various venues and artists (SPYRO), from intimate clubs to large festivals, each with a unique vibe. The origin of my name (GAMABEAR) comes from a blend of personal significance and a catchy twist that resonated with my style. I primarily focus on Amapiano and Afrobeats, blending genres to create an energetic atmosphere that keeps the crowd moving all night long.
Akeem Herbert
Artist Manager / A&R
Red Music Rising
Akeem Herbert is an Artist Manager and A&R from Toronto, who has had a passion for music and the arts from an early age, playing multiple instruments throughout his childhood. Studying at Recording Arts Canada in their Audio Engineering & Sound Recording program, Akeem was given the opportunity to get firsthand experience on the ins and outs of how to make a great record, and a deep understanding and love for the Music Industry as a whole. As an independent artist manager and A&R, he has worked directly with notable Juno nominated Canadian talents, as well as worked alongside some of the biggest American Hip Hop talents. Having a keen ear for emerging talent and an all or nothing attitude towards his work, has proven to be the driving force to his success.
3x JUNO-Award nominated Nuela Charles is a self-managed alternative/pop singer-songwriter with a soulful edge. Born in Kenya, raised in Switzerland, Canada and the Bahamas before settling back in Canada, Charles’ music is infused with her multicultural upbringing. With 5 studio projects released to critical acclaim, multiple award wins, and even more nominations, Charles released her self-titled 6th studio project, Nuela Charles in September 2022. She has been featured on the FADER, Complex, and WONDERLAND to name a few and her music has been streamed collectively over 6 million times and can be heard on over 40 TV shows including hit shows like Jane the Virgin and Netflix’s Tiny Pretty Things, and covering major sporting events like the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nuela has brought her distinct voice to various stages over the last several years - having performed notably at Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, making her UK debut in London, and making her US debut at the uber-coveted “It’s A School Night” by personal invitation by tastemaker and KCRW radio host Chris Douridas. Over the last several years, Nuela has shared the stage as direct support for the legendary Ziggy Marley and for some of Canada’s musical icons – including Sam Roberts Band, Jann Arden and Stars. Looking to the future, this CBC Music radio top 20 staple, is set to release more of her fiery brand of cinematic alternative-soul early 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
WAG-Qaumajuq has grown into one of the country’s leading visual art museums with an international reputation! Founded in 1912, the WAG is one of Canada’s first civic art galleries, housed in an iconic modernist building in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Opened in 2021, Qaumajuq is a contemporary architectural landmark that connects to the WAG building on all four levels.
BPM | Black Professionals in Music
Launched in February 2021 and facilitated by 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, as well as other programming throughout the year. Participants can bring ideas, share their professional needs and barriers, and influence the future direction of the program. To get involved, please email bpm@manitobamusic.com. Participants must be residents of Manitoba and identify as Black musicians or music industry professionals.