BLIND MUSIC PRODUCER AND RECORDING ARTIST MATTMAC, STUNS SELECTION COMMITTEE AND IS NAMED CANADA’S WALK OF FAME GRAND PRIZE RECIPIENT OF ITS 2022 RBC EMERGING MUSICIAN PROGRAM

Editor’s note: Click HERE to download images and bios of all recipients and HERE for Mattmac’s submission

(Toronto, ON) October 6, 2022 – The 10th Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program today adds five new recipients to its class of 2022. A distinguished program that elevates aspiring Canadian musical artists, this year’s gifted recipients push the boundary of creativity through music with great song structure, emotional lyrics, captivating melody composition and excellent vocals.

The 10th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program winning recipients are:

Grand Prize Winner: Mattmac of Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba (Currently Winnipeg)
Second Prize Winner: Jordan Hart of Toronto, Ontario
Finalist (Third Prize): Mindflip of Gatineau, Quebec
Finalist (Third Prize): Cassie Dasilva of Orillia, Ontario
Finalist (Third Prize): Benjamin Dakota Rogers of Brantford, Ontario

This year’s Grand Prize winner is Winnipeg-based Mattmac, originally of Garden Hill First Nation. Blind since birth, Mattmac’s melodic pop-trap beats and inspiring story have established him as one to watch on the national scene. Since launching his musical career in 2016, he’s worked with Grammy and Juno Award-winning artist and Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Nelly Furtado, garnered more than 800,000+ streams across platforms and amassed critical acclaim from CBC, CTV and Virgin Radio to name a few. His debut album, 20/20, blends pop vocals, hard-hitting trap beats, and thoughtfully honest lyrics. Listeners get a glimpse into the mind of a blind creative as he paints vivid sonic pictures of struggle, healing, celebrating love, family and life on the reserve. A self-taught artist, Mattmac grew up surrounded by music on the radio and singing in his community’s gospel choir. He first began making beats and writing songs at 13 and later taught himself how to play the piano and guitar. Click here to learn more about Mattmac.

“Winning this award will open doors in the music industry that will take me to the next level of my career, and I’m so grateful. Coming from a small reserve in northern Manitoba, opportunities like this aren’t readily available, and I hope that this incredible recognition will inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to,” says Mattmac. “Big shout out to Canada’s Walk of Fame, the judges and RBC for providing me this platform to show young people what they can achieve if they work for their dreams.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Mattmac will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at the renowned Metalworks Studios. A cash prize of $10,000 goes to Toronto-based performer Jordan Hart for Second Prize, and the three Finalists will receive cash prizes of $5,000 each.

All recipients will have opportunities to elevate their careers, including:

Group mentorship sessions with a Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee or Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree
Dedicated artist page on the newly launched emergingmusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video filmed in the winner’s hometown
Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent*
A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2023 along with a Festival Access Pass*
Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus*
A performance at Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2023*

*Subject to COVID restrictions.

Each year, Metalworks Institute invites past and current applicants of Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program to apply for Canada’s Walk of Fame / Metalworks Institute Scholarship. One recipient will receive $10,000 for tuition of any full-time campus, online diploma program, or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute. The Institute offers a range of programs specializing in music performance, audio engineering, electronic music, live event and concert production, stage lighting and video, music business, music mixing and mastering and more. Metalworks Institute is currently accepting applications for their January 2023 start date, and applicants are invited to visit the following website to enter: https://metalworksinstitute.com/scholarships/canadas-walk-of-fame-emerging-musician-metalworks-institute-scholarship/

QUOTES

Jeffrey Latimer, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame: “The RBC Emerging Musician Program launched ten years ago with a commitment to empower and elevate the next generation of Canadian musicians. From Faro, Yukon to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Courtenay, British Columbia to Mistissini, Quebec, our winners over the years have spanned multiple genres of music, influences, and personal stories. The diversity in the submissions we receive annually from the next generation of musicians and songwriters is inspiring. This year’s recipients have amassed a fanbase and are on the cusp of breaking through to the mainstream. We’re proud to be a part of their journey, shine a light on their talent and give them a platform to share a stage with the greatest of Canadian achievers.”

Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC: “Through RBC Emerging Artists, we support organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career trajectory. The efforts of Canada’s Walk of Fame are invaluable, providing much-needed opportunities for diverse emerging artists to be recognized and exposed to new audiences. We are proud to support the RBC Emerging Musician Program – and look forward to seeing the advancement of these artists’ careers in the years ahead. Congratulations to all of the prize winners.”

Gil Moore of Triumph / Founder & CEO of Metalworks Group: “Congratulations to Grand Prize Winner Mattmac of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I would also like to congratulate Second Prize Winner Jordan Hart, and the other finalists of this year’s Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program. At Metalworks, we believe in fostering young talent and I look forward to following the musical endeavours of all those involved in the Program. Mattmac, we look forward to hosting you at Metalworks Studios!”

Follow this year’s Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program recipients on Instagram:

Mattmac: @mattmaconline
Jordan Hart: @jordanhartsound
Mindflip: @simon.mindlfip
Cassie Dasilva: @cassiedasilva
Benjamin Dakota Rogers: @benjamindakotarogers

CWOF Instagram and Twitter
@cwofame #CanadaThrives, #CWOF2022

About Canada’s Walk of Fame
Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shining a light on extraordinary achievers and their journeys. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current programs include the RBC Emerging Musician Program, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 200 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com

Canada’s Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2022 Partners: Bell Media, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, WestJet, MLSE, Scotiabank, Federated Capital, Postmedia, Next Magazine, The Printing House, and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP.

Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.

Media Contacts:
Adrienne Kakoullis, Rise PR
416-450-6637 / akakoullis@risepr.ca