THE BLUEPRINT COLLECTIVE
2023 COHORT
ENSHAUNTEE
Enshauntee’s soulful melodies and radiant spirit captivate and inspire us all. With kindness at her core and a talent that truly shines, she shares her gift of song to spread love, light, and positivity. As a devoted wife, mother, and gifted artist, she invites us to join her on this beautiful journey of music and life.
@enshauntee
FLCNTHEARTIST
Flcntheartist, is a versatile hip-hop/R&B talent from Canada. He is renowned for crafting captivating melodies and lyrics that resonate with listeners. His music, marked by a deep emotional investment in every track, showcases his readiness to emerge as the next big sensation in the Canadian music scene.
@flcntheartist
ROA
Rahand Ismaeel, aka ROA, is a Kurdish-Canadian rapper, visual artist, and event organizer. He harnesses the power of art to navigate life from his home base in Hamilton, Ontario. Drawing inspiration from The Soulquarians and the artist-forward ethos of Yasiin Bey, ROA founded the arts collective, Cardinal Blue Ink. This collective not only runs a monthly Hip-Hop-inspired arts show, "The B_rd Cage," but also aims to reinvest resources into the local creative community. ROA's long-term goal is to fortify the Hamilton music and arts scene, placing artists at the forefront of its growth and evolution. Known as the Redhand of Cardinal Blue, ROA warmly invites you to join his artistic journey.
@roadtheredhanded
BUDDAH ABUSAH
Elijah Grant, also known as Buddah Abusah, is a multi-talented Canadian artist from Hamilton, Ontario, revered for his unique "Modern Day Hippie" style that resonates with peace, love, and equality. Since 2008, Buddah has been refining his craft, delivering a unique sound that sets him apart in the global music scene and revitalizes Canadian hip-hop. His dynamic stage presence and innovative lyrics echo his strong, peace-driven worldview, captivating audiences throughout Canada, especially the Greater Toronto Area. Leveraging his distinctive "Buddah Vibes," he aims to put Hamilton, Ontario, and Canada on the global hip-hop map while promoting a tranquil, positive response to world issues.
@itsbuddahabusah
ANGELA NETHERSOLE
Angela Nethersole is Hamilton-based singer-songwriter, who fuses R&B, Soul, and Jazz in her music, drawing inspiration from her Afro-Caribbean and South Asian background. Dealing with epilepsy, her art reflects her reality. With performances at notable venues and festivals, she aims to transition into a recording artist, nurture her talents, and explore sound healing as a rising star on the horizon.
@angelanethersole
WHITNESS
Whitness, the R&B artist from Hamilton, Ontario, captivates with her rich voice, transcending genres to connect with global audiences. Music has always been her passion, healing, inspiring, and uniting people. Her work reflects truth, vulnerability, and authenticity, taking listeners on a transformative journey. Whitness stands for inclusivity, encouraging others to embrace their uniqueness unapologetically, fostering compassion and unity through her music and words.
@whitness.whit
BLK ORCHID
Blk Orchid, is a multi-genre artist from Toronto, Canada, is known for her exceptional songwriting, captivating vocals, and genre-bending productions. She has collaborated with acclaimed musicians like Sly & Robbie, DeeWunn, Chelsea Stewart, and Maestro Fresh Wes. As the founder of "That's A Dope Sample," she educates and entertains through sampling. With a 7-year career, she has made a significant impact both nationally and internationally, working with some of the biggest names in music.
@iamblkorchid
JAY’C
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Jason Chung is a young artist exploring his purpose through music. As a triple threat, he strives to evoke emotions that resonate with listeners worldwide. Notably, he has featured in projects like 'Speechless,' 'Under the Mistletoe' with Ryan Sykes, and collaborated on 'Should I' with YungNova and Kyra Tang.
@jaycmusic
JAMILA B.
Jamila B. is a Canadian pop and R&B singer-songwriter , of Nigerian and Caribbean descent, leverages her Communication degree from York University to create deeply empathetic and impactful music centred on self-love and life experiences. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, she has shared stages with artists such as The Clipse, Redman, Derek Morgan, Tanya Stephens, and Bobby Valentino. Collaborating with a dedicated team of producers and mentors, she released her debut EP, Love & Confidence, encapsulating life's highs and lows and the essence of love. Her premier single, “Show Some Love,” addresses depression and anxiety, underscoring the vital role of self-care and communication.
@jamilaonline
NICOLA MOORE
Nicola, a dedicated musician and songwriter, began her journey in a band called "It is What it Is". Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Billy Joel and Miles Davis, she developed her style through diverse musical influences, from gospel and reggae to jazz and rock. During the pandemic, she expanded her skills into music production. With one of her four released songs hitting over 25k views, Nicola continues her musical exploration, eager to share more of her work. Despite juggling her responsibilities as a parent, her passion for music remains undiminished.
@thenicolamoore
2024 Cohort
AM$
AM$ is an electrifying R&B singer and songwriter with a voice that speaks directly to the heart. Her music is infused with emotional depth, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery with a raw honesty that resonates with listeners. With each new release, she continues to evolve and grow as an artist, pushing the boundaries of the R&B genre and forging her own unique path.
@amdollasign
TAALIB
In the vast landscape of music, authenticity often illuminates unconventional paths, carving a distinct niche in the industry. Enter Taalib Barre, professionally known as TAALiB, whose musical roots trace back to his vibrant Caribbean heritage, saturated with rhythms, melodies, deep bass since early childhood.
The amalgamation of cultural proximity and a musically inclined mother exposed him to a rich tapestry of genres, igniting a passion for music that would define his artistic journey.
Fresh off the release of his first EPs: ;That Was Then & This Is Now; (January), a rap-based exploration, he’s gearing up to release My Melancholy Melodies; (March), delving into a more melodic terrain. These projects promise to unveil fresh dimensions in TAALiBS artistic evolution, showcasing his unwavering commitment to genuine, boundary-pushing music.
@taalib905
JAYE WOODS
Jaye Woods, a dynamic presence in the Canadian rap scene, artfully blends his roles as an emcee and social worker to to craft a unique intersection of Hip-Hop and healing. With soul-stirring R&B-inspired melodies and razor-sharp lyricism, Jaye’s music guides listeners through a candid, yet disarmingly playful journey of human emotion.
Active since 2011 under his former alias, Orijin, Jaye has crafted an impressive body of work, boasting five full-length projects and headlining two provincial tours. His talent has been recognized on multiple fronts, including being handpicked by Shad, Juno-winner and Polaris Prize nominee, to perform at Canadian Music Week in 2012, and earning a nomination for the Covenant Award for Best Rap Album in 2018.
With a refined sound and resolute message, Jay’s latest self-produced singles, “Celebrate” and “Really Love” speak volumes to his evolution as an emergent voice for those craving music with heart and soul.
@heyjayewoods
CJ CRUICKS
Known for being one of the top fifty Canadian Idol singers and for numerous live performances in Toronto Ontario, R&B sensation Cj Cruicks (real name Cornal Wiles Cruickshank Jr. III) tapped into extensive talents as a recording artist when he joined Duane Chong of DKC Entertainment in 2005. At 26, he has already released an EP (2006), his debut album At Last (2008) along with his hot club single “Not Staying” In (2009) featured on iTunes. And at the height of his career he managed to score opportunities for opening performances for Canadian singer Carl Henry popstar Ne-Yo and rap legend Busta Rhymes. His previous collaborations include Edwin De La Vega, Arthur Zaragoza, DJ Duck, Peaboo, Kendall Marin & The Boy Wonder. On June 28th 2012, Cj Cruicks released his first recorded mixtape debut under JStrike Entertainment, the highly anticipated DEVASTATION The Mixtape working with national and international collaborators and producers.
DEVASTATION includes Canadian features by Strike, Paul Thompson, Chris Robinson, Kaida James (formerly Slik-K) Hayleigh McNeil, Peaboo, De La Vega; UK features such as Bigfoot, Illatant of Misfit Music, Essential of Eloquent Music, UKF Music; And US features by Van Beats, Debo And The Beats & Friday Malone. Cj is currently working on new music and expanding his brand.
@cjcruicks
DON CARLO
Born in Iraq and having migrated to Canada at a young age, Don Carlo founded Keep It 110 as a record label to help provide opportunities for people in Hamilton, Ontario to explore their full potential and express themselves through music. His lyrics are often inspired by his earlier struggles in Baghdad, and his new-found resilience, as he embraced a new home and culture in Canada. Don Carlo has shared the stage with Akon, Karl Wolf, B.O.B, Kardinal Offishall, and N.O.R.E.
@dontothee5
AWULANA
A Ghana-born singer-songwriter who seeks to promote love, healing, growth, and the acknowledgement and acceptance of pain through her music. AwulaNa strives to create art that opens the hearts, minds, and souls of all who come across it, and in her journey to the top she hopes to find her higher self along the way.
@awulavangoh
TESHARAH
Tesharah is a singer/songwriter with roots in the Jamaican church. From the beginning of her journey, she’s been known as the little girl with the big voice. Her writing style takes many shapes, harnessing the inspiration from varied genres including gospel, reggae, folk, and soul. In August 2021, Tesharah released her upbeat single “Have a little Faith” and her new reggae single “Nuh Badda Me” released in 2023, has made waves across radio stations.
@tesharah
2025 Cohort
JANUARY ROGERS
January Rogers is a Mohawk/Tuscarora artist from Six Nations of the Grand River making her debut as a live performer. Known for blending poetry, storytelling, and media into powerful audio-visual experiences, January brings the same creative fire that earned her awards at imagineNative and the American Indian International Film Festival to the stage. With her words and presence, she transforms personal and cultural narratives into performance pieces that are both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.
@januarymarierogers
TOKOS
Tokos has been making music since 2017, building a cult-like following through a progression from lo-fi and emo to trap. His debut SoundCloud album reached 40K streams, with two tracks surpassing 11K each. After a pause due to personal challenges, Tokos is now focused on rebuilding momentum and growing through new education and networking opportunities.
@whothattokos
EYE-SHA
Born in Riyadh to Gambian parents, Eye-Sha is a Canadian R&B/Pop singer-songwriter with over 12 years of experience. A Mohawk College Vocal Jazz graduate, she has performed with Juno-nominated Vita Chambers and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Formerly fronting her ensemble Lifeandthetribe—recognized by Exclaim! as an emerging Canadian act in 2022—Eye-Sha wrote, produced, and arranged one album and three singles. Now pursuing a solo project, she blends dark synths, airy harmonies, and influences from traditional Gambian Griot storytelling.
@theonlyeyesha
RALPH NYONI
Born in California and raised in Hamilton, Ralph Nyoni is bringing a fresh R&B/Hip-Hop sound that blends Afrobeat, trap, and dancehall with pure soul. Since launching in 2020, he’s performed for crowds of over 5,000, earned awards, and built a reputation as a powerhouse singer, dancer, and performer. With a highly anticipated EP on the way and the launch of his fashion brand, Lovers Crew, Ralph Nyoni isn’t just an artist — he’s a movement.
@ralphnyoniofficial
RONALD T
Ronald is a versatile gospel artist whose music spans traditional, contemporary, and inspirational styles. With a passion for sharing faith through song, he brings uplifting messages and heartfelt performances that connect deeply with audiences across different backgrounds.
@yxngronn_
USHINDI
Ushindi is a studio recording artist and singer-songwriter with classic Afro Cuban as well as Rhythm & Blues influences. Born in Kongo Zaire then raised in Pentecostalism, he sang and performed predominantly faith-based music for large crowds. His latest single “Love Letter” taps into the nuances of love and community. Now, he hopes to inspire young African minds in the diaspora to explore their transcendent nature
@ushindimusic
REANNA KNIGHT
Reanna Knight is a Christian vocalist passionate about worship, harmonies, and reimagining hymns. With a background in vocal performance from the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, she blends technical skill with deep spiritual expression. Rooted in gospel, hymns, and contemporary Christian music, she’s passionate about harmonies and reimagining songs of faith. From leading worship in churches to performing at weddings and community events, Reanna’s music is devoted to inspiring faith, reflection, and a deeper encounter with God’s presence.
@reworshipjournal
D.M.
Coming out of Toronto with a fresh fusion of hip hop, lovers rock reggae, and R&B, David Matthews is making his mark with fiery lyrics and a seasoned sound. Raised in the Cataraqui projects of West Toronto, he channels his lived experiences into music that reflects resilience and positivity. With his EP Been a Long Time Coming and single Clingy, D.M. blends soulful vibes and party energy, delivering a unique style and captivating stage presence that sets him apart.
@getthat_dm
JSAL
Nominated for Emerging Talent of the Year at the 2024 Mississauga Music Awards, JSAL is a breast cancer survivor and pop artist who transforms life’s challenges into empowering anthems. Influenced by Sia and Adele, her breakout single Be Invincible became a rallying cry for resilience, while songs like Inner Flame and Purple Illusion highlight her emotional depth and energy. With performances at major festivals and a debut album Rising Phoenix in progress, JSAL continues to inspire audiences worldwide with her powerful voice and unstoppable spirit.
@iamjsalofficial
DEIA
Diana Di Mauro is a versatile vocalist who blends classical artistry with innovative exploration, performing across opera, concert music, and electronic genres. She has appeared at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Opera North in Leeds and has worked with Canadian companies including Toronto Operetta Theatre, where she performed the role of Costancica in El huésped del sevillano, and Opera in Concert, where she sang L’Enfant in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. While living in Italy, she appeared in productions of Cavalleria Rusticana, Don Giovanni, and La Serva Padrona. She will soon take the stage in the musical production The Lost Heroes of Oro at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre.
In addition to her classical work, Diana explores contemporary music through electronic performances and genre-blending projects. Her strong Italian roots have also led her to perform Sicilian and Italian folk music, adding depth to her musical journey. She recently debuted an original opera electronica set at DPRTMNT Nightclub in Toronto and occasionally collaborates with groups like The Elvis Underground. Whether performing on the classical stage or in experimental music settings, she brings a bold and engaging presence to her work.
@deiamusica