Ajungi Mentorship Program 2021/22 (Sponsored by FACTOR)!
About the Ajungi Mentorship Program
Ajungi is a Nunavut-wide music collective based in Iqaluit. The name is pronounced AH-YUNG-EE and means "capable people" in Inuktitut. Since 2015, Ajungi has been producing world-class music, blending English and Inuktitut, traditional Inuit soundscapes with state-of-the-art production.
During the summer of 2021, Hitmakerz launched an 8-month virtual music industry training program, called Ajungi Mentorship and took on a group of aspiring Inuit artists.
A big thank you to our patron, FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings)! We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your generous support, as this inspiring program would not have been possible without help from FACTOR’s Sponsorship Program. Also, a shoutout to our amazing Project Coordinator, Anthony!
The mentees collaborate and support each other as they create self-directed projects, some using the independent study unit to work on developing plans for their debut albums.
The lead mentor on the project, Hitmakerz’ COO and Performance Coach, Sarah Elaine McLay, developed a set curriculum guideline to ensure there is a baseline of music industry knowledge and hands-on experience for the group, while also tailoring the content to be relevant and suit each artist’s personal goals.
Some of the main benefits of Ajungi Mentorship are Artistic Expression, Improved Digital Literacy, Virtual Community, Networking Opportunities, Industry and Employment Credibility, On-Going Support, and more! In addition, the indirect results of the program include Increased Professional Capacity, Economic Development, and Promotion of Inuit Culture and Language.
Upon program completion, these successful mentees will be prepared to work in the new, digital economy (post-pandemic), and certified to work in the music industry with their Ajungi Arts & Business Diploma. More importantly, they will have the skills needed to build successful, self-directed careers in music, media, communications, or a multitude of other industries.
We would like to feature the Top 3 artists in the 2021/22 class; Ehski, JD Mike, & Qiyuk!
Ehski
Biography: Oqaituk Adam “Ehski” Emikotailak is a hip-hop artist from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. He started making music over a decade and a half ago, when he was 13 years old. At the age of 16, Ehski went to Young Offenders in Iqaluit, Nunavut, which is when he started writing his own lyrics and poems as a way to keep himself busy for his emotional wellbeing. Ehski was raised speaking Inuktitut, and writing music helped him improve his English skills to become completely bilingual, often including both languages in his songs. In 2018, Ehski was the opening act for the amazing JUNO-Nominated late-artist Kelly Fraser, his cousin.
In 2019, Ehski’s original song, “Inuurama (I Am a Person)”, was featured on Ajungi compilation album, produced by Hitmakerz. Recently, Ehski was chosen as a mentee in the Ajungi Mentorship Program, where he received one-on-one mentoring sessions on Zoom about many topics in the music industry, including performance, production, music business, entertainment law, marketing, etc.
Ehski began writing, performing, and recording his music at an early age. After his first professional single, Ehski continued to write songs and kept in touch with Hitmakerz. He was the original inspiration for the Ajungi Mentorship program, since he has an entire album all ready to record, and is seeking the skills and tools needed to make it real. His lyrics and passion are powerful and he is extremely persistent and resilient.
About Me: “I started making music over a decade and a half ago, when I was 13 years old. At first, I had no clue what I was doing, until I got a serious charge at the age of 16. That's when I went to Young Offenders in Iqaluit and started writing my own lyrics and poems to keep myself busy for my mental health and emotions. Also, growing up speaking Inuktitut, writing music has helped improve my English skills to be fully bilingual. In 2018, I was the opening act for my late cousin, the amazing JUNO-Nominated artist, Kelly Fraser. In 2019, my original song, “Inuurama (I Am a Person)”, was featured on the Ajungi compilation album. You can listen to the song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/45MyTPD0CHoHDKoOQ6QEVv?si=e622a0e21ed14c23.”
JD Mike
Biography: Jordan Mike Aglak (“JD Mike”) lives in Pond Inlet, Nunavut and is a prolific artist, writing and recording many songs. His music was supposed to be featured on the second Ajungi album, but he was unable to travel to Iqaluit to record due to bad timing and Covid-19 restrictions. JD Mike began performing for audiences around 2016, when he joined the Rap Battles in Pond Inlet every week during the warmer months of the year. In 2017, he went to Nunavut Hitmakerz workshop in Pond Inlet and was inspired to start writing and recording music.
JD Mike and his brother performed their song, “Dreams To Reach” (https://soundcloud.com/jd-mike55/dreams-to-reach-ft-jd-mike), at the local Masivvik high school for a Suicide Prevention Walk. JD Mike believes that songwriting has helped him learn to express himself through music. His songs include a wide range of authentic human emotions, from sadness to hope, and address mental health with imagery of being lost in the dark and wanting to get out. JD Mike is currently a mentee in the Ajungi Mentorship Program and he is looking forward to launching his career in the music industry.
About Me: My name is Jordan Mike Aglak and my stage name is JD Mike. I am a rapper and songwriter, planning to finally record my debut album. I was born in Iqaluit, then lived my first 2-3 years in Pangnirtung, and moved to Pond Inlet as a child where I still live today. I am a self-taught artist and songwriter. I have been making music on my own for many years. I was first introduced to Hip-Hop music in November of 2010 and quickly became very interested in rapping. My friend started showing me how to make music, which sparked my passion for being an artist. During the pandemic, I continued working on my music and participated in the Ajungi Mentorship Program. I met on Zoom with my mentor to learn about the different areas of music and collaborated online with other Inuit artists, like Ehski, to write a song.
Qiyuk
Biography: Qiyuk (Stuart Qiyuk) is a self-taught musician, songwriter, recording engineer, and producer. He is originally from Baker Lake, Nunavut, but now lives in Ottawa, Ontario. Qiyuk has experience as a wedding performer, singer, instrumentalist, band leader, and arranger. He was one of the first artists to be selected for the 2019 Ajungi album. His song, “Why” – which featured a collaboration with Greenlandic DJ/producer, Uyaraqk – was among the Ajungi album’s most popular tracks. Qiyuk’s songs are deep, dark, and very emotional, and his approach to songwriting is very unique. In 2019, he performed a medley of three original songs at Arviat’s IMF (music festival). Qiyuk is currently part of the Ajungi Mentorship Program, interested in both the performance and the production sides of the music industry. In 2020, he released his first solo single called “Okay” (https://open.spotify.com/track/6gwRwNVgIyA5XaTtmzktiQ?si=8e881e74796245cf).
About Me: “My name is Stuart Qiyuk and I am a music producer, musician, and songwriter. I grew up in Baker Lake, Nunavut, and now live in Ottawa, Ontario. My genre is a mix of Alternative Rock, LoFi , Indie Rock, and Blues. I am currently in the Ajungi Mentorship Program. I am working on producing and releasing my debut album and hope to tour in Nunavut with my new music in the upcoming year.” My musical experience includes music production, vocals, guitar, keyboard / piano, bass guitar, drums, songwriting, and making beats. I have some technical skills, including Google Suite, MixCraft9 (DAW), and basic recording, mixing, and mastering.
Each artist receives one-on-one mentoring sessions (via Zoom video calls) and group classes, as well as presentations from guest speakers. The three featured artists are expected to receive their Ajungi Arts & Business Diploma this spring of 2022.