Nunavut music showcase comes to the GTA
NUPOP South performances will happen in Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton this December
Poster for the NUPOP South tour featuring Angela Amarualik and Leo Matthew Temela, coming to the Greater Toronto Area in December 2023.
A touring music showcase highlighting talent from Nunavut is coming to three cities in the Greater Toronto Area this December. NUPOP South will travel through Hamilton, Toronto and Mississauga for four concerts from Dec. 13-16, 2023.
NUPOP South is a concert series designed to promote and celebrate Inuit musicians, while also helping them gain experience performing for global music markets. The name “NUPOP” is a play on K-POP, catering to Nunavummiut artists.
Each showcase will feature performances from Inuk pop singer, Angela Amarualik, and rising Inuk hip hop artist, Leo Matthew Temela. Amarualik will also host interactive workshops at each date of the tour.
Amarualik is an award-winning musician, whose accolades include a 2019 Indigenous Music Award (Best Inuit, Indigenous Language, or Francophone Album) and 2022 Arctic Music Award (Indigenous Artist/ Group of the Year). Other accomplishments include reaching number one on the Indigenous Music Countdown, being crowned Miss Igloolik in 2018, and recently being selected For Your GRAMMY® Consideration. Following her 2018 self-titled debut, Amarualik released Uvannik – her sophomore album recorded with GRAMMY®-award winning producer, Chris Birkett – last year.
Temela recently completed the Qaggiavuut Artist In Residence Mentorship Program, an initiative that helps emerging artists learn about the music industry and professionally record music. His first single, “Alive,” was released in August. He is currently recording his debut album produced by GRAMMY®-award winner, Matt Snell, and Robbie Brett. This will be Temela’s first live tour.
“I think NUPOP South will be a great opportunity for me, confidence-wise, performing as an artist,” said Temela. “This event will boost my knowledge in how to present myself both professionally and indirectly through social media.”
NUPOP South is a one-week-only tour. Admission to all events is free.
The tour dates are as follows:
Dec. 13: Hamilton, ON - Bernie Custis Secondary School
Dec. 14: Toronto, ON (York) - Silverthorn Community School
Dec. 15: Toronto, ON (Downtown) - Toronto Metropolitan University
Dec. 16: Mississauga, ON - Unitarian Congregation Mississauga
Poster for NUPOP South 2023.
The NUPOP South tour comes just over a year after the original NUPOP showcase in Iqaluit, Nvt. last October. A variety of workshops were held in the week leading up to the big event. The sold-out showcase featured over 10 musicians, including Qattuu, Joey Nowyuk, Shauna Seeteenak, Looee, as well as Amarualik.
Now, Amarualik is looking forward to taking her NUPOP experience to the next level.
“I’m hoping to make new friends, make a song or two and even just go home inspired,” said Amarualik about the Southern tour.
Temela is thankful to be featured in NUPOP South.
“I am more than excited to stand in front of a crowd and perform my own songs,” said Temela.”It is a blessing and I couldn’t be any more grateful and proud to be here.”
NUPOP South is presented by record label, Hitmakerz, in collaboration with local partners for each showcase. These include Bernie Custis Secondary School, Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg, Silverthorn Community School, Toronto Metropolitan University, The Creative School, The Innovation Studio’s HQ, Saagajiwe, Eagle Spirits of the Great Waters Indigenous Arts & Cultures, Unitarian Congregation of Mississauga, and the Government of Nunavut.
Attendees for the Downtown Toronto and Mississauga events must register in advance (for free). Downtown Toronto registration is open now. Mississauga registration is open now. The events in Hamilton and the York region of Toronto are free entry for students.
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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.