About AMW
African music through a series of concentrated events.
African Music Week (AMW) heightens the understanding of Africans and people of African descent through music and culture; with a series of concentrated events in one of the world’s most diverse and multicultural cities, Toronto, Canada. African musicians and music industry executives throughout the Diaspora gather each year for the past six years for the annual African Music Week conference and Festival.
African Music Week live/virtual showcases and conferences encourage innovative and interactive engagement of sounds and lifestyle changes. To expose artists to resources, networks, and platforms while providing long-term mentoring to launch and to maintain careers in the global entertainment industry.
Speakers and Artists
AMW 2021 LINEUP
African Music Week virtual showcases and conference encourage innovative and interactive engagement of sounds and lifestyle changes. To expose artists to resources, networks and platforms while providing long term mentoring to launch and to maintain careers in the global entertainment industry.
Master T
Originally from Leeds, England. Tony aka Master T was a decorated VJ at Muchmusic hosting/producing and interviewing some of the most popular artists in the world, including Madonna, Janet Jackson, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Meat Loaf, Jay Z, Tupac and countless others. He’s the former Director of Media Production for RX Music a music consultancy agency that helps create captivating guest experiences for retail stores, hotels, bars, restaurants, spas, and other experiential spaces. Tony was also proud to be host and producer of their online series, RX Music Live. Master T pulled back the curtain and brought a fresh perspective on the life, times, struggles and the story behind some of today’s brightest stars. Including BeBe Rexha, Neon Dreams, Kardinal Offishall, Vance Joy, Talib Kweli, Maestro, Little Dragon, Sean Paul, Clean Bandit, Lee Fields and many more! Currently, he is the host, producer and director for Esor Productions, providing online content and creating properties for the brand he has helped establish with his wife over the years.
Idahams
Fast-rising Universal Music Nigeria artist Idahams just released his new single “Problem” in October 2021. After the trans-continental success of the “Man on Fire” EP and remixes, which has generated millions of streams across digital platforms globally, singer and producer Idahams is back with a new single that will keep him buzzing throughout the rest of 2021. Produced by Idahams, with co-production from Yussy Beats, “Problem” fuses elements of Amapiano and House music mixed in with pop and jazz to deliver an uptempo dance feel. Problem is a feel-good track with Idahams telling his fans to take a break from the usual troubles of life and to dance and try to enjoy the little things that bring us happiness. Idahams has produced and collaborated on songs by Solidstar, Duncan Mighty, and Mr. 2Kay, and his 2020 single “Ada” debuted at #5 on BBC’s 1xtra chart and peaked at #2, while zooming to #1 on the UK’s Black Music chart. His “Man on Fire” EP topped the iTunes Nigeria chart landing at #1.
Asiko
Ifeoma Amaechi
Ifeoma Amaechi is the founder and creative director behind the African-inspired athleisure brand IBUCHI. Founded in 2019 known for its unique blend of colour, print, and style IBUCHI aims to disrupt the athleisure industry with African representation. Everything from active wear sets and jumpsuits IBUCHI designs with intention and purpose always shining a light on the beauty of the culture. IBUCHI is
sold online and also in Toronto at the Black Owned 9TO Scarborough Town Center and will be sold in the Eaton Center location as of Oct. 30th 2021
Mz Undefined
Mz Undefined, also known as Ms. Anita Baker, found her love for poetry at the tender age of ten. Born and raised on the island of Jamaica, she migrated to the city of Toronto as a teenager. It was in this city; she became exposed to the art of spoken word. she has known storytelling in the form of folklore and dub so it was only natural for her that the two become infused. As she embarks on this journey of telling her truths, look out and listen for what she has to say. For her, the source of the journey is about having fun!
Natalie Wong
Syndy Tatah
Syndy Tatah is an Afro, folklore Canadian singer-song writer of Cameroonian origin. She gained international recognition after her Singles 'God's Power’, "Mama","konkonsa" went viral on several social media platforms. She is known for her unique blend of afro-beat, and folklore sound which integrates a mix of English, French, pidgin and her native language Lamnso thus guaranteeing her a wide fan base.
Her music career stems across over 10 years starting up as a live performer in her home country Cameroon and winning numerous awards
Tracey Kayy
Tracey Kayy is a multidisciplinary musician based in Toronto. She is a singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, and spoken-word artist. Her creative creations mostly shed light on the difficulties and traumas within our society. Realities which are often ignored are brought to light by her musical compositions. She is a radiant light, and a messenger who raises awareness by being a voice for multiple communities across the globe. Her soul’s purpose is to heal people from all walks of life through her writings and musical creations.
Godwin Tom
“Godwin Tom is one of Africa’s entertainment industry’s prolific change agents. With a talent for being detail-oriented and analytical, he is constantly driving the management changes within the sector. He focuses on developing tailor-made strategies that suit the business needs and goals of his clients.
With over 12 years of experience as a Talent Manager and Business Development Executive, over 18 years in the industry overall as an Artist and Talent Manager, and practical experience at the management level for Marketing, Public Relations, Image Consulting, Branding, and Publishing; Godwin brings professionalism to the Entertainment industry with an understanding of the demands of a business environment.
Over the years, he has successfully worked with talents such as; Wizkid, Davido, Waje, MI, Wande Coal, Bez, Ice Prince, Bez, Show Dem Camp, Beverly Naya, Yung6ix, Jessy Jagz, Rooftop MCs, Solid Star, Ayo Jay, Goldie, and many others.
His body of work has spanned across Tourism, Branding and Marketing, Media, Events and Sports Marketing, and has put him in contact with top African brands such as Globacom, Deola Sagoe, Diamond Bank, Sterling Bank and some international brands such as BT, Nokia, Pepsi, among others.
Godwin has dedicated the last 4 years of his career to developing and training future stakeholders and leaders of the entertainment industry through his Music Business programs. The most recent being the just concluded Music Business Academy for Africa 2020 sponsored by Sterling Bank. A success story registering over 300 students from African countries for the 3-month online program and the one-month Bootcamp. The 2021 Program is currently ongoing.
He is also the author of the eBook series “Journey Of A Learner” a 12 part ebook series about navigating the African entertainment industry. https://journeyofalearner.com/
Social Media Handles
Instagram: @godwintom
Twitter: @GodwinTom
Facebook: @godwintom
Lukman Akanbi
in Toronto. The founder and Owner Lukman Akanbi is a Business Coach and
Strategist that has helped numerous business leaders devise new strategies to
multiply their profit and implement an effective delegation system in their
organization, while improving their team’s confidence and productivity.
He has coached more than 100 management and C-suite executives of large
organizations and startups in Canada, Dubai and other countries globally. As a
coach, he trains and mentors more than 25 businesses yearly. He coaches
corporate individuals on the subject of organizational success, strategy, and
personal development. His mentorship sessions on Leadership, customer
experience and relationship building bring about tremendous long-termresults.
Lukman worked with Wireless Trade Group in 1999- a Telecoms company based in
Toronto, where he led initiatives to penetrate and grow market share.
He was successful and the market share grew by more than 100 percent. During his
time, the company partnered with MTN (Nigeria) and Safaricom (Kenya)
distributingover 3 million smartphones in Africa. Wireless Trade Group Inc became
a major partner for mobile technologies across Africa and revenue grew from
$100,000 to over $12 million within the period.
Esie Mensah
T-Nyce
Terry Opoku, better known as T-Nyce, is a Canadian music Producer, songwriter and a music Executive who is making prominent strides in North America’s music industry. He’s established himself as a key player early on in the game with a trifecta of talent to match. Discovering his love for music at an early age; it was his dexterity in harmonies, fusion and measure that pushed him into greatness and out of his inner city Toronto neighbourhood. In only a few short years T-Nyce has cultivated a very impressive resume. He is a two time ATL beat battle champion, and has collaborated with prominent artists such as: Sean Kingston, Belly, Tory Lanez, YG, Kid Ink, and most recently Cardi B, Bri Steves, and Motwon records own TheHxliday. T-Nyce just finished his 2 year term as an A&R manager at eOne Entertainment. He’s now an owner of a successful production/ management company called BestKeptSecrete. This company has produced and work with platinum artist like A Boogie, Young Thug, Pop Smoke and many more. He is also the founder of Create Academy, a songwriting incubator based in Toronto, Canada. Create Academy is already the pipeline for Canadian talent. It has already provided great opportunities for Canadian talents. Memorable and organic, his style is instantly recognizable. His attention to detail is what sets him apart from mediocrity, outlining the difference between his originality and numerous imitators. His personal experiences are the motivation behind his compositions. His goals of achieving success on the Billboard charts and becoming one of the greatest producers of his time is merely just beyond his reach; so as his career-defining moments amplify, so will his legacy in the game.
Dalton Higgins
Black Star
The company produced some of the country’s leading Afro dancers in the country. The collective has worked with French Montana, Yemi Alade, Akin, FIFA Canada, Afro fest, Arts Etobicoke, Sheridan College, York University and more. The company travelled to
Cape Coast, Ghana for Panafest Festival 2019 where they performed for President Akufo-Addo, international dignitaries and local chiefs.
DJ Empire
Catch him at this year’s AFROBEAT festival this Saturday 23 rd October 2021 at 1000 Finch Avenue, as he delivers another “banger” of an experience.
Emanzi Troupe
“Emanzi” means “Being Brave or courageous”.
“Emanzi Troupe is a Ugandan- Canadian traditional dance troupe based in Toronto- Ontario. We pride ourselves in celebrating, performing, teaching and sharing our Ugandan heritage through our cultural dances and music at large.
Our heritage is imbedded in dances and music that celebrate seasons or particular events e.g.Courtships , marriage , birth of twins, hunting or harvesting seasons, circumcision, religion , history,celebration of life, kingdoms , to mention but a few.
Emanzi celebrates its people by exploring the different regions of Uganda and sharing with the world the
beauty of languages, styles and rhythms through the gift of traditional dances.
Jay Smooth
weddings, corporate events, award ceremonies, fashion shows, birthday parties,
and a plethora of other events. Jay Smooth has been performing for 18yrs,
leading him big roles to be a part of the Harry Jerome awards, Rogers Cup, and
presented as a special guest for the Ontario Lieutenant Governor David Onley,
during his term in Parliament.
Jay Smooth sincerely trusts that instrumental music has really allowed him to be
confident within myself, have an understanding on what makes him happy in life;
which is music, and has also taught him to never give up on his goals, to be a
saxophonist. Jay Smooth strongly believes that life is too short to be unhappy!
If Jay Smooth can encourage you to pursue anything, that would be the ARTS! It
is a vessel to express how you are feeling, thus guiding anyone to build his or her
self esteem, and also provide positive mental health. It could be through
movement, visual arts, Instrumental, poetry, etc… Jay Smooth Dares you to be
different, Dares you to dream big, take positive risks, and to love yourself without
forgetting the process or who you are.
Tropiks Band
Denise Williams
Her 30+ year international solo performance career has put her at home on the concert, opera, and theatre stages, presenting a myriad of self-produced concerts and working with, to name a few national companies, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Mirvish Productions, Eastern Front Theatre, Theatre Northwest as well as international appearances. Highlights of her performance career include most recently a concert performance in with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Oriente in Cuba, and in Toronto, Walk Together Children – A Cross-Cultural Concert Celebration (Black, Jewish, Muslim) at the The Toronto Centre for the Arts, now known as the Meridian Arts Centre (Fall 2018), the Nathaniel Dett Chorale’s concert performance of Treemonisha at Koerner Hall, Andrew Craig’s King’s Playlist at the Harbourfront centre’s Fleck Dance Theatre (2017), the cast of Mirvish’s NorthAmerican Premier of The Sound of Music at the Princes of Wales Theatre (2008-2010), and other
notable solo performances. Her CD, Walk Together Children, is a cross-cultural initiative, featuring music from the roots of Black & Jewish music.
Denise currently concentrates her time on performance education, and has founded No Strings Theatre with a desire to aid youth in developing their skills in music theatre as well as grow in their team skills for life. She has been a private voice teacher for over 30 years, in her own studio (Voices of Colour Music), as well as Royal Conservatory of Music examiner and national adjudicator for over 20 years. She is currently a part time faculty member in Sheridan College’s Music Theatre department, a certified advanced voice teacher for the RCM and sessional sacred music professor for the Canada Christian College.
Professional memberships include President of The Central Toronto Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA-CTB), executive of the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), and the Canadian Actors Equity.
Vivian Barclay
At Warner/Chappell, she works with a diverse roster of songwriters, including Jully Black, Patoranking, Brad Rempel (High Valley), Maurice Moore, Machel Montano, Classified, Glenn Lewis and is also responsible for the administration of the over 200-year-old company’s global catalogue, which includes Lizzo, Quincy Jones, Summer Walker, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Gamble & Huff, Radiohead, Stephen Sondheim, Chris Stapleton, Green Day, Michael Bublé, Murda Beatz and PARTYNEXTDOOR.
Vivian sits on the Boards of: Music Publishers Canada, SOCAN, the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, ADVANCE -Canada’s Black Music Collective, as well as Phemphat Entertainment Group, producers of the all-female Honey Jam Showcase, a non-profit organization which provides mentoring opportunities for artists. Vivian is also active in community development projects Habitat for Humanity and Food for the Poor.
Social handles: @warnercanpub (twitter) @warnerchappellca (Insta) @vivianbarclay (insta)
Töme
Her half-a-decade musical journey is marked by her debut project; One with Self, a 5-track self-recorded acoustic EP that was released on Soundcloud in 2015. Whilst working a full time job as a Marketing Executive, TOME continued to hone her skills and nurture her audience with the release of her first official tape; Tomesroom: Chapter 1. In 2019, the singer quit her 9-5 and released her sophomore album, Bigger than 4 Walls followed by her JUNOS award-winning track ‘I Pray’ which features Jamaican artist, Sean Kingston.
DJ Donet
DJ Donet- The Female Capo In Charge also referred to as Canada’s Most Versatile International DJ. She started her musical journey at the age of 17,inspired by the late DJ K-Swift, an American female DJ who Donet felt related to in many ways, DJ K-Swift motivated and empowered Donet into pursuing this Disc Jockeying Career Full Time. The Female Capo In Charge quickly grasped her talent and lead on to being nominated 3 times for Best International DJ as well as being presented with the Award of Excellence at 2015 Abedoc Awards.
DJ Donet has evolved into the true definition of a crowd pleaser, catering to any event , from Fashion Shows to weddings , private functions, conferences and club appearances. She clearlybroke the female barrier and has performed with International artists such as Mr. Eazi, Afro B, DJ Tunez, Ruff and Smooth, Bisa Kdei, Stonebwoy, Joey B, Nero-X, Freeman Nadawo, Slimflex, A.O. Gorman, Kwame Vista and many more. Her growth in the entertainment industry has transpired into a business where Ms Dj Donet created Untouchable Empire , a soundcrew where she is the Official Dj alongside other DJs and Mc’s. Furthermore the female capo in charge has released her first two singles called “Come Over “ Produced by ApyaGh feat AO Gorman , Biszy Allstate and Rison & “Pressure” featuring Kwame Vista. Let’s not forget also runs her own radio show with her team “ The Spin Fm. As we notice Dj Donet is a jack of all trades. Not only does she DJ but also is a great asset to the community. This talented DJ has blessed the city with her annual “THANK YOU BBQ” that has been going strong for 12 years straight. She started in the backyard of her house and throughout the years ended at Woodbine Beach. A free BBQ that appreciates every DJ, MC , Entertainer in the community and a way to raise funds towards an organization she feels passionate about, based in Accra, Ghana ; Christ Faith Foster home. The Female Capo in Charge , Dj Donet and Canada’s Most Versatile Female DJ has shown us what the definition of a female hustlepreneur stands for.
An unforgettable musical journey is what Dj Donet strives to bring to her crowd everytime she is in the DJ booth. And she will keep what she does the best.
Supporting Brands
Expose your Brand to the youthful pulse that is setting the trends of today and tomorrow!
Our Schedule
This year the Conference will feature two virtual sessions with panels discussing a mixture of topics regarding the ever-changing entertainment industry.
October 22, 2021
Queens First Summit
Panel Discussion 2:00pm-4:00pm
Women in the Entertainment Business
Keynote Speaker 4:30pm-5:30pm
Queens First Showcase 6:00pm Cocktails 8pm-11pm: Showtime
Join us for cocktails, a night of class, elegance, empowerment, and a celebration all female performers.
Venue SMALL WORLD MUSIC CENTRE 180 Shaw Street, Toronto Ontario
DONATE VIRTUALLY
October 23, 2021
AIM Conference
11:00am-1:30pm
2:00pm-3:00pm
How to monetize your artistry and/or business online?
3:00pm-4:00pm
Special Guest & Keynote Speaker Q & A
AFROBEATS Festival 6pm-8pm: RedCarpet/Cocktail 8pm-12am: Showtime
Venue National Event Venue 1000 Finch Ave W, Toronto Ontario
DONATE VIRTUALLY
African Music Week 2021
QUEENS FIRST SHOWCASE is a night of class, elegance, empowerment and a celebration of all females’ performers.
AFROBEATS FESTIVAL celebrates the best emerging artists of the New African culture locally and internationally, uniting them together on one scorching hot platform. The festival Explores different theatrical genres and styles including Afro Beats, Afro Pop, Afro Soca, dancers and other musical stars. The audience will not be able to resist the vibrant synergy of the variety of rhythms.
