Inuk TikTok Influencer Releases Debut Album
Brenda Montana, who is known for her TikTok videos as @inuksuk, releases her debut album, Qaujimagit
Album artwork for Brenda Montana’s debut album, Qaujimagit, which was released on August 26, 2022.
Pop singer-songwriter and social media influencer, Brenda Montana – also known on TikTok as @inuksuk – has released her debut album, Qaujimagit. The album was released on August 26, 2022.
The Inuktitut word “qaujimagit” is translated to mean “know that” in English. Montana’s seven-track album contains original songs that are reminders of hope, love, and positivity.
Montana said she initially wrote the album for the loved ones in her life: her friends, family, and community.
“It’s more for other people than for me,” said Montana. “I made it for my family, my friends, and people who are struggling to let them know there are people who care for [them] and [they] are not alone.”
“It’s a good reminder for me to be positive too,” she added.
The songs on Qaujimagit are in English, Inuktitut, or a combination of both. Montana said that while she writes all of her music in English, she translates some songs into Inuktitut as a way to learn and connect with the language.
“I would ask my mom if she could translate [lyrics] for me because I am not fluent in Inuktitut and it’s a way for me to learn,” said Montana. “It’s also a way for me to encourage other people and other youth to learn as well.”
Qaujimagit was recorded at the Hitmakerz Compound in Ottawa last September. The album was produced by Tev Bourque of Tev Sound (Birdie Whyte, John Carroll, Amanda Lowe) and distributed by CD Baby. Financial support for the album was provided by the Government of Nunavut.
Montana is well-known for her TikTok videos on her account @inuksuk. There, she posts music and comedy videos to her over 120,000 followers, garnering over 2 million likes across all videos. Montana’s TikToks include educational content about Inuit culture, such as videos showcasing traditional food, performing throat singing, and answering viewer questions. She also participates in current trends, often putting an Indigenous spin on them. Her most popular video – with over 1.2 million views and 260,000 likes – is a duet to a viral Bella Poarch video where Montana adds throat singing to the original banjo beat.
Although Qaujimagit is Montana’s first album, she has been making music for years. The Rankin Inlet, Nunavut-based artist was first inspired to create music after hearing her Uncle Ken play at family events. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, Montana picked up singing, throat singing, piano, guitar, and ukulele. Her musical talents have made her a winner at the Qilaut songwriting contest and landed her a festival placement at Arctic Sounds in Sisimiut, Greenland.
Qaujimagit is available now on all streaming services. To be the first to learn about Brenda Montana’s upcoming projects, follow her on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, or check out her website at brendamontana.com.
For PR, bookings, or more information, please contact:
Sarah Elaine McLay
sarah@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