Ehski

Oqaituk Adam “Ehski” Emikotailak 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 has helped improve his English skills to be fully bilingual, often including both languages in his songs. In 2018, Ehski was an opening act for his cousin, JUNO-Nominated late-artist Kelly Fraser.

In 2019, Ehski’s original song, “Inuurama (I Am a Person)”, was featured on the Ajungi compilation album and became his first professional single. In the spring of 2022, Ehski graduated from the Ajungi Mentorship Program, where he received one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions and training on many topics in the music industry. The program was created by Hitmakerz and sponsored by FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings).

He immediately applied this newfound knowledge in a real world setting upon completing the program, and successfully secured funding to create his debut album as a signed artist with Hitmakerz record label. Ehski travelled to Ottawa in October of 2022 to begin production on his album with Tev Bourque of Tev Sound (Brenda Montana, Birdie Whyte, John Carroll, Amanda Lowe).

Ehski’s passion as an artist is powerful. He has been dedicated to making an album for years and pursuing this project has been a dream come true for him. His persistence and resilience is inspiring to those around him. Writing music created a positive effect on Ehski’s mental health and he hopes to share his story through song with other Inuit that relate to his experiences.

Releases

Awards & Accolades

2022 Travelled to Ottawa, ON for production of his debut album with Hitmakerz record label
and producer, Tev Bourque
2021 Ajungi Mentorship Program Graduate
2019 “Inuurama (I Am a Person)”, was featured on the Ajungi compilation album
2018 Opening act for JUNO-Nominated late-artist Kelly Fraser