Canada's Walk of Fame Names Singer-Songwriter Angel Baribeau of Quebec the Grand Prize Recipient of its RBC Emerging Musician Program

(Toronto, ON) November 25, 2021 –The 9^th Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program today adds five new recipients to its class of 2021. A sought-after program that supports aspiring Canadian musical artists, this year’s entries raise the bar with a stunning range of submissions that span the spectrum of diversity across Canada from every province and two territories. Chosen by a selection committee of music industry experts, the recipients will share the prize and the program benefits valued at more than $100,000. This year’s Grand Prize winner is Montreal-based singer-songwriter Angel Baribeau, whose messages and representation within their debut EP, For Those I Love(d), continue to resonate with 200,000+ streams across various platforms.

The 9th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program recipients are:

Grand Prize Winner: Angel Baribeau of Mistissini, QC

Second Prize Winners: YASSiN & Sean Terrio of Oakville, ON

Finalist (Third Prize): Boogey the Beat of Winnipeg, MB

Finalist (Third Prize): GRAE of Toronto, ON

Finalist (Third Prize): Madison Olds of Vancouver, BC

Featuring breathtaking vocals paired with lyrics that traverse emotional terrains, Angel Baribeau’s single “Love Is Up The River” from their debut EP garnered more than 20,000+ streams on Spotify, while “Wish We Were Older” charted #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and was featured on CBC North & APTN National News. The official music video also picked up a “Best Music Video” at the Toronto Indie Shorts Film Festival 2021 and Baribeau recently picked up the Young Canadian Songwriters Award 2021 presented by SOCAN Foundation. In total, Baribeau’s music has garnered over 200,000 streams across all platforms.

Originally from the Cree community of Mistissini, Quebec, Baribeau’s early foray was under the indie folk outfit Simple Human Tribe. As a solo artist in 2014, Baribeau was selected to be featured on the first-ever N’we Jinan compilation album, Eeyou Istchee Volume 1, which rocketed to #1 on the iTunes chart on the day of its release.

As a queer, non-binary Indigenous singer-songwriter, Baribeau’s goal is to be that of a changemaker, noting the responsibility to pursue their talent and create more representation within the industry for those who look and identify as they do.

“It’s important to see yourself in the world, otherwise, you might come to question whether your existence is valid. I felt this way for many years growing up, and it was only when I saw more folks like me I realized it’s okay for me to take up space. To see that positive imagery is fundamental to a child; at least, it was to me, and I want to do that for others,” said Angel.

They add, “In my own intersectionality, I want people to see me and know our representation is needed; and to feel that you’re not alone is a powerful thing. As the grand prize winner of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, I look forward to the opportunities to invest in myself so that I can grow as an artist and continue to be a positive reflection for others through my music.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Angel Baribeau 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 $6,000 goes to Oakville based performers YASSiN & Sean Terrio for Second Prize, and the three Finalists will receive cash prizes of $4,000 each.

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

New! Online group mentorship sessions with Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Sarah McLachlan
New! Dedicated artist page on the newly launched www.emergingmusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
New! Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video
Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent*
A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2022 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 2022*

*Subject to COVID restrictions.

Also announced today, Jamie Labrador of Thunder Bay, Ontario is the recipient of the 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame / Metalworks Institute Scholarship. Jamie will receive $10,000 towards tuition of any full-time campus or 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. Each year, Metalworks invites past and current applicants of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program to apply for this scholarship.

QUOTES

Jeffrey Latimer, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame: “It is exciting to be able to support the next generation of musicians and songwriters and to amplify voices that have been underrepresented in the music industry. With so many extraordinary Canadian artists inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame over the past two decades, we have the opportunity to truly inspire the next generation of musicians. We’re so impressed and excited by the talent that has come through our RBC Emerging Musician Program each year. The range of artists, influences and perspectives from these young artists truly represent our Canadian diversity and it is very heartening to see and hear.”

Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC: “Through the RBC Emerging Artists Project, 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 Canada’s Walk of Fame 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.”

Randy Lennox, Executive Chair, Elevate and Canada’s Walk of Fame Board Member: “We are proud of what Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program has accomplished to date and the lasting impact it creates for its graduating artists. Together with our dedicated partners at RBC, we are excited to announce this year’s recipients and look forward to continuing to help influence their careers.”

Gil Moore of Triumph / Founder & CEO of Metalworks Group: “Congratulations to Angel as well as all winners and 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. Angel, we’ll see you at Metalworks Studios!”

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

Angel Baribeau: @angelbaribeaumusic

Yassin & Sean Terrio: @yassinfever @sean.terrio.music

Boogey the Beat: @boogeythebeat

GRAE: @yourgirlgrae

Madison Olds: @maddieoldsmusic

CWOF Instagram and Twitter

@cwofame #CanadaThrives, #CWOF2021

About Canada’s Walk of Fame

Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that inspires all 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 Program (Presented by MLSE and Scotiabank), Canada’s Walk of Fame Hometown Stars, presented by Cineplex, 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 2021 Partners: Bell Media, Cineplex Entertainment, Slaight Communications, RBC, WestJet, MLSE, Scotiabank, Federated Capital, Sanofi Canada, Postmedia, Next Magazine, The Printing House, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP and Hotel X Toronto. CTV is the broadcast partner of The Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Gala.

Canada’s Walk Of Fame Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Walter Schneider, Chairman & Founder, Waltmar Capital and President & Co-Founder RE/MAX Europe, includes: Vice-Chair Nick Di Donato, President & CEO, Liberty Entertainment Group; Tom Anselmi, President Business Operations and COO of The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club and Ice District; Amanda Lang, Anchor, BNN Bloomberg, Randy Lennox, Executive Chair, Elevate, Linda Mantia, Kim Mason, Senior Vice President & Head, Private Banking Canada, RBC Wealth Management, Dan McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Cineplex Entertainment; Lewis Rusen, Vice Chairman, Korn Ferry; Ron Suter, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution Canada and Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto.

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