Nunavut “rising star” tells inspiring story in debut EP
JD Mike’s debut rap EP, Rising Star, is available to stream now
Album artwork for JD Mike’s debut album, Rising Star.
Stream Rising Star on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music
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Up-and-coming hip hop artist from Pond Inlet, Nunavut, JD Mike, has released his debut EP. The three-song project titled Rising Star was released across streaming platforms on September 22, 2023.
Rising Star plays like a concept album, with three distinct, yet connected, songs that give listeners a glimpse into JD Mike’s story. It opens with “Lost In The Mist,” a song about feeling stuck in sadness and anger. It moves into “Suicide Survivor,” the climax of the EP that tells a very direct story of attempting to take one’s own life. The EP closes with “All I Got,” an uplifting track about friends supporting friends as they go through tough times.
Making music has been a constant in JD Mike’s life. He uses it as a tool through his hardships.
“Music has helped keep me on my feet and helped me through my stress and depression,” said JD Mike. “Music really inspires me to keep going even if I feel like nothing or giving up. Music has been there for me when nobody else was.”
Rising Star was produced by Tev Bourque of Tev Sound (Brenda Montana, Birdie Whyte, John Carroll). Bourque and JD Mike both flew into Iqaluit, Nunavut to record the EP in September 2022. The EP was released through Hitmakerz and distributed by CD Baby. Financial support was provided by the Government of Nunavut.
The idea for Rising Star first came about when JD Mike participated in the 2021-2022 Ajungi Mentorship Program, created by Iqaluit-based record label, Hitmakerz, and sponsored by FACTOR. While in the program, he received training in performance skills, production, music business, entertainment law, and marketing.
Before the Ajungi Mentorship Program, JD Mike had already been performing and creating music. He started participating in rap battles in 2016 and was inspired to start writing music after attending a Nunavut Hitmakerz workshop in 2017. From his home in Pond Inlet, he wrote songs and released them through SoundCloud.
He is continuing to grow his skills in beatmaking, with the hope of one day becoming a producer.
JD Mike’s goal for Rising Star is to connect to the people who need to hear his lyrics.
“I hope that my songs will help people to understand more about life and I hope that it really gives a message to those who have been looking for answers.”
Rising Star is available now across streaming platforms. To stay up to date with JD Mike, follow him on Facebook and Instagram or check out his website.
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For PR, bookings, or more information, please contact:
Sarah Elaine McLay | sarah@hitmakerz.com
Giuli Saucedo | giuli@hitmakerz.com
About Hitmakerz
Founded in 2016, Hitmakerz is a full-service record label based in Nunavut. Specializing in creating world-class Inuit and Indigenous music, Hitmakerz has studios in Iqaluit, Ottawa, and Toronto. A social enterprise, their mission is to create viable careers in the arts for Inuit and Indigenous artists through music, media, and education, as well as to empower artists to share their stories and strengthen their culture. www.hitmakerz.com
Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the support of the Government of Nunavut.
