ISSUE 12 | 2023

MADE IN CANADA
Artist
&
talent
SPOTLIGHT
MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE
I S S U E 1 2
D E C
Canada‘s Talent
Canada‘s Talent
MUSIC, FASHION, ENTERTAINMENT
Featuring interviews with artist such as
L4Birinto, Certified bad guys & energyy.

D E C
12
I S S U E
2 6
1 7
03 Artist Spotlight
06 Interview
2023
22 Videography

Plans for 2023? Album? Mixtape?
Who inspires you in today’s music?
How long have you been doing music? What inspired you?
Where are you from? City or province?
Ive been recording music for 2 years but have been making music since I was 14.
I just loved the idea of a female rapper. It got me excited to see other females in the rap game
actually succeed in a game that people love to say is for men. Me and my friends would also joke
around n freestyle sometimes as kids n now it’s just what I like to do.
CANADIAN TALENT
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
CREEKBABY
I’m from Toronto, Ontario. An artist originated from black creek.
Anyone from the city putting in work to achieve their dreams. Shout out the home team Dreamers
League, and mans like K Forest, Robbie Khan, Joeezy, Heart Break, Travis Knight, A.G Da Kid, 45
Lamell, Jay8, XLFROMTHESOUTH.
2023 I was able to rebrand and reintroduce myself back on the scene as Germz / G-Vill and Started working
on different genres and tappin into my Guyanese roots, collaborating with other artist like Kairi and AZ to
make music for a larger target audience, with hit songs like Bonita, Limin and We Outside.

CANADIAN TALENT
Who inspires you in today’s music?
Where are you from? City or province?
How long have you been doing music? What inspired you?
I’ve been rapping since i was 13, and just life experiences. At times you cannt really talk
about what you been thru, but a song would be a bit easier to release how i might have felt
about a situation.
Plans for 2023? Album? Mixtape?
I’m from Rochester, New york, but i spent half my life going back and forth from
there to Toronto.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
SNACKZ
I dropped all things considered thats fully produced by finn, so its still promo mode for that.
The same thing that inspired me back when i started, life .

INTERVIEW WITH
CERTIFIED BAD GUYS
CBG is a remarkable band comprising Omaremii,
Double R Oscarr, and B.O.S., three immensely
talented artists of Nigerian descent who have
established themselves in the vibrant music scene of
Canada. CBG's music is an exquisite blend of Nigerian
cultural heritage and contemporary Canadian
influences. Their ability to seamlessly fuse these
diverse elements creates a sound that resonates
deeply with audiences, transcending borders and
defying categorization. CBG's music is a true
testament to the power of music.
07 • HIP HOP MAGAZINE

Expect more
content, more
lifestyle and
more bangers.”
Q : How long have you been doing music? And what inspired you?
Q: Where were you born? City you live? or rep?
The Certified Bad Guys have been doing music since their early teens. Omaremii has
been immersed since his early years, playing the drums and piano from a young
age. B.O.S. started to take music seriously after his 18th birthday, with his knack for
learning songs, he started out performing favourites to friends and family before
eventually deciding to write and perform songs of his own. Double R’s inspiration
came from he and his friend’s love of emulating the greats; Kanye, Jay Z and Wanye,
“That’s how I got love for the game.”
The Certified Bad Guys were all born in Lagos, Nigeria - but they rep the 6ix! B.O.S
spent some of his early years in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to Canada at
age 18, but the group currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Q: Music plans for 2024? What can the people expect? Etc
(Album,Mixtape)
As a collective, you can expect multiple singles from us leading up to an electrifying
AfroFusion album with the team. Expect more content, more lifestyle and more
bangers.
Q: Is there a particular artist signed or unsigned that you’d like to
work/feature with?
The Guy’s mentioned Drake, Amaarae, Nasty C, Asake and Larry June. As a
producer, Omaremii also dreams of working with talents like Burna Boy,
BlaqBonez, Victony, Rema, and of course Drake.

E L E V A T E Y O U R M I N D
Q: Have you experienced any obstacles that you
have had to overcome within the industry?
We’ve all faced challenges with industry figures, but
we just take it in stride; it’s all part of the game. The
fables, smoke and mirrors. If we let that hold us
back, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Double R
says “Like I always say, we live to fight another day.”
Just like any other industry, respect in the music
business is earned and not given. B.O.S says the
biggest challenge so far has been learning to deal
with the ups and downs that come with earning
your respect in the industry. “Some days are better
than others and some people are not going to
believe in your vision. I’m learning to just enjoy the
process and take it all step by step.”
Just like any other industry, respect in the
music business is earned and not given.”
Q: Who or what inspires you musically?
The Certified Bad Guys are greatly inspired by the diverse mix
of cultures, people and environments they have been exposed
to. Double R told us “I’m a big product of my environment so
music comes as I experience life. I’m just a messenger.”
B.O.S.feeds inspiration from his afrocentric side, which is
greatly influenced by his west African background as well as
his rap/melodic side which is a direct influence of his North
American upbringing. Omaremii told us music is an integral
part of his soul. “Artists like PartyNextDoor, BOJ, Burna Boy,
Drake, and Moonlight Afriqa inspire me, along with the
incredible support of my team, Certified Bad Guys!”

CERTIFIEDBADGUYS
Q: How was your childhood?
Double R: I spent most of my childhood hiding my passion for music away from my family
and eventually, people and close relatives brought the music to their notice, and it’s been
great ever since.
BOS: I grew up with 2 older brothers in a 5 person household. Although no one else is
musically inclined in my family, a lot of the songs my older brothers would listen to greatly
influenced my early passion for music.
Omaremii: I had a musical inclination from a young age, playing drums and learning the
piano. While music was a part of my life, it wasn't a central focus in my family.
Q: What do you want the fans to take from your music?
We want our listeners to have an amazing time and experience the unique genre blends in
our music. Omaremii is all about delivering rare musical delights. We want our listeners to
say how they feel, Double R sees music as a memoir for artists. “People write in their diaries
while we make records that last a lifetime.” B.O.S told us he wants listeners to always feel
touched emotionally. “Whether it's feelings of happiness, love, heartbreak or grief, I try my
best to embody all the emotions that shape the human experience into my music. So no
matter what the listener is going through or feeling at a given time, my goal is to provide
music that can serve as soundtracks to their lives.”
Q: When you're in the booth, do you feel pressure? Do you go into your sessions
alone or with a team?
Pressure doesn't phase Omaremii, whether
he’s alone or with the team he’s always in his
element. Double R says there’s no pressure
with music. If you’re doing it as a hobby,
there can never be pressure. If you treat it as
a job, then the pressure comes in. He likes to
keep it cool, and be spoken through.
However the occasion presents itself, they
always come out the booth strong. B.O.S.
told us he feels pressure but not in the
traditional sense. “The process of creating
music has always been fun to me, so in a
sense, I only feel pressured if I feel like I am
not executing an idea the way I hear it in my
head.”

work/feature with?
The Guy’s mentioned Drake, Amaarae, Nasty C, Asake and Larry June. As a
producer, Omaremii also dreams of working with talents like Burna Boy, BlaqBonez,
Victony, Rema, and of course Drake.
Q: Is there anyone you’d like to give a
shout to?
Q: Do you feel Canadian talent is under looked? Or the eyes are on us?
Double R said he feels there’s room for improvement, “We got a lot of entitlement. We
need to grind harder on all fronts.” B.O.S expressed how Canadian talent is sometimes
overlooked due to the sheer size of the American music industry next door. However,
artists like Drake, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion and many more have shown
that we have the talent to compete with the best the world has to offer, we just need the
platforms to showcase it. Omaremii mentioned that the Canadian music industry often
overlooks the abundance of talent in this country. “Gatekeepers need to invest more time
and recognition into both established and underground artists.”
Q: where can the fans find you (socials networks)
Instagram: @Cbgmusic_, @b.o.syes, @omaremii
TikTok: @cbg_music_, @Doubleroscarr, @omaremii
Twitter: @BosyesCBG, @beatsbyomar,@doubleoscarr
BIGG shoutout to our manager, Luxèr, for
always keeping it real and holding it down,
taking over one city at a time. Another BIGG
shoutout to everyone at our label, Nycesound
Productionand of course everyone streaming
our music!

INTERVIEW WITH
L4BIRINTO
Born in the lively city of Ottawa, Ontario, L4birinto,
formerly known as Noah Maze, stands as a
returning force in the music scene, with roots
embedded in the early days of Ottawa’s hip hop
movement. After a hiatus, he makes a triumphant
comeback, showcasing a renewed commitment to
his craft. Since his re-entry on November 3rd with
the release of “Growing Pains,” L4birinto has been
on a steady trajectory of consistent music drops.
Following up with the compelling track “Caught Up,”
he is set to unveil “To the Grave” on December 1st.

Closing out
2023 with a
bang—two
music videos,
lensed by Ben
Telford,
dropping in
December.”
HIP HOP MAGAZINE
13 •
Q: How long have you been doing music? And what inspired you?
I've been immersed in the music scene throughout my life, but now, a shift is
happening. Expect consistent releases from me, as I focus on both quality
and quantity, pouring more energy into my craft.
Q: Music plans for 2023? What can the people expect? (Album, Mixtape, etc)
Closing out 2023 with a bang—two music videos, lensed by Ben Telford, dropping
in December. These visuals complement my upcoming EP, "Black Hearted."
"Caught Up" is already out, but the videos will debut together for a more
impactful release.
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada, I proudly represent my city.
Despite my roots, I've traversed life's journey, living in Toronto, California, and
Vancouver from a young age.
My inspiration is a mosaic—woven from my upbringing, life experiences,
current state, and future aspirations. Every facet of my existence
contributes to the art I create.
Q: Have you experienced any obstacles that you have had to overcome
within the industry?
The industry's trials are familiar ground. Friend-manager dynamics,
empty promises, and exploitation attempts—I've navigated them all. The
vulnerability inherent in being an artist makes us targets. Hence, I keep a
tight-knit circle.

I'm not just making music; I'm crafting
emotions. It's not merely a track; it's a
profound feeling.”
L I F E ’ S A G A M B L E
Q: How was your childhood? Was music a big thing in your
family?
Music courses through my veins, a familial legacy. My Irish
descent mom and Ghanaian dad, both musicians who crossed
paths at a Montreal show, infused my upbringing with a rich
musical tapestry.
Q: Is there a particular artist signed or
unsigned that you’d like to
work/feature with?
Dream collaborations? Meek Millz is a
top pick. Whether singing or rapping,
it's about capturing the vibe. And from
Canada, North Side Benji—our timing
aligns perfectly.
Q: What do you want the fans to take from you’re music?
(Youth,day ones, family,the world)
I'm not just making music; I'm crafting emotions. It's not merely a track;
it's a profound feeling. My music tells real stories, connecting with those
who appreciate genuine talent.
Q: When your in the booth do you feel pressure? Do you go into your
sessions alone or with a team?
The recording booth is my sanctuary. It feels like reuniting with a loved one
after a long absence. Whether the room is bustling or serene, the focus is on
pouring my soul into the music.

L4BIRINTO
Canadian talent may be overlooked, but that fuels my determination. I've been
underestimated for too long, and that's a powerful driving force propelling me
forward.
Q: Is there anyone you’d like to give a shout to?
Google "L4birinto," and you'll find me. My socials and everything you need are
right there—easy access to my musical journey.
Shoutout to the dream chasers and the North. Special mention to my twin
Cass and all my comrades pushing to the top—keep grinding!

INTERVIEW WITH
ENERGYY
Energyy is an up and coming hip-hop artist based in
Ottawa who is quickly making a name for himself.
His music is heavily influenced by artists Travis Scott,
Kanye West, Lil Wayne and is heavily influenced by
the hip-hop genre in general. His sound is unique
and often referenced as “space rap” by fans. He has
already released an EP titled Introduction to Space
Rap, jungle rules and is planning on releasing more
EPs in the future.

But to name a few
I would say my
family, lil Wayne,
Travis Scott, and
so on.”
Q: How long have you been doing music? And what inspired you?
I’ve been in the studio for about 5 years but I’ve always been inspired
by music since I was a youngin. I began my music journey in church
before being part of my school band where I was playing diverse
instruments there such as drums, keyboards, clarinet, saxophone, etc.
I’ve always loved music and kept studying it growing up.
Q: Music plans for 2023? What can the people expect?
(album, mixtape, etc)
I was born in Nigeria, moved to Ottawa when I was 17 and currently live
here.
Well I recently dropped my 3rd EP “A BADMON” few months ago so I
plan on dropping the deluxe before the year ends. I’m also having my
2nd headline show on October 29th. I will also be opening for a couple
of shows in Montreal and Ottawa in the following weeks. I will share
more information about it on my Instagram account @ener_gyy once
everything confirmed.
The list would be very long cus a lotta people and artists inspire my
music
I feel like sounds in general inspires me. But to name a few I would
say my family, lil Wayne, Travis Scott, and so on.

When I’m in the booth I feel like I’m performing on
stage. I don’t feel pressure in the booth whether
alone or with my boys."
Q: Have you experienced any obstacles that you have had to
overcome within the industry?
Most definitely. As an upcoming artist you tend to encounter a
lotta deaf ears (not sure what you mean by that so maybe
rewrite this part) at the start which could be really frustrating
especially when u really believe in yourself but then it teaches u
that music ain’t a lazy man’s job. You really need to grind to put
yourself out there.
S H O O T F O R T H E S T A R S
Q: What do you want the fans to take from
you’re music? (Youth,day ones, family,the world)
I just want my fans to feel good all the time. I want
them to feel good about their life, my music is meant
to just make u feel good.
Q: How was your childhood? Was music a big thing in your
family?
Q: When your in the booth do you feel pressure?
Do you go into your sessions alone or with a
team?
When I’m in the booth I feel like I’m performing on
stage. I don’t feel pressure in the booth whether
alone or with my boys.
my childhood was bless. I grew up in a family of 5 and we all loved
music. One thing about my family is that everybody listens to their
own unique genre/preference so I get put on a lot. My family plays a
big part in my inspiration

ENERGYY
Of course it’s very under looked and I think we also
undertook our talent too.
work/feature with?
Travis Scott, Drake, Rema, Eazy finesse and many more.
ener_gyy on ig , energyy_badmon on twitter.
Q: Is there anyone you’d like to give a shout to?
Shoutout my family and Henny boys !

I S S U E 1 2 | D E C
Q: BORN AND RAISED?
BORN IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY LIVED THERE FOR THE FIRST 12
YEARS OF MY LIFE UNTIL MY FAMILY MOVED TO CANADA.
Q: HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN SHOOTING FOR?
AROUND 2012 I WAS REALLY STARTING TO BE INSPIRED BY MUSIC
VIDEOS. THAT WAS A TIME WHEN GOOD QUALITY VIDEO WAS
STARTING TO BE FEATURED ON DSLRS LIKE THE CANON 5D MARK
II. SO I JUST STARTED TO MAKE MY OWN CREATIVE SHORTS, AND
EVENTUALLY GOT HIRED TO FILM KOTD RAP BATTLES AND I GOT
TO KNOW A LOT OF ARTISTS AND RAPPERS AND STARTED TO
SHOOT A LOT MORE MUSIC VIDEOS.
Q: WHAT INSPIRES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SHOOTING
MUSIC VIDEOS? DO YOU ALREADY SEE THE DIRECTION
OF A VIDEO BEFORE SHOOTING?
I USUALLY HAVE A STANDARD FOR HOW I APPROACH A MUSIC VIDEO
SHOOT, AND EACH TIME I TRY TO BRING SOMETHING UNIQUE OR
INTERESTING TO ADD TO THE PRODUCTION. SOMETIMES IT’S THE SONG
THAT MAKES ME THINK OF CAMERA MOVEMENT OR LIGHTING SETUP,
OTHER TIMES IT’S AN EFFECT I SAW SOMEWHERE AND I TRY TO PUT MY
OWN SPIN ON IT.
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR VIDEO STYLE?
I’D SAY MY STYLE IS PRETTY CLEAN, BUT I TRY TO MIX IT UP AND
MAKE IT GRUNGY WITH MY EDITING. I ALSO LOVE TO
INCORPORATE DRONE SHOTS INTO MY VIDEOS THAT MIGHT BE
THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PART OF MY STYLE LATELY.
Q: HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY OBSTACLES THAT YOU
HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME WITHIN THE INDUSTRY?
FOR ME PERSONALLY THE BIGGEST DIFFICULTY WAS TURNING MY
PASSION INTO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS. OVER TIME I’VE
DEVELOPED MY SKILLS AND FOUND THE RIGHT INDUSTRIES THAT
VALUE MY SERVICES. BALANCE THAT WITH PASSION PROJECTS
AND NOW I HAVE A SUSTAINABLE CAREER DOING THE CREATIVE
WORK I LOVE.

next
ITS A
WRAP
2023
Q: WHAT I S YOUR I DEAL
TURNAROUND TI ME ?
I LIKE TO HAVE AT
LEAST A FEW WEEKS TO
A MONTH WITH A
PROJECT. I FIND THAT
AFTER WORKING ON IT
FOR A WHILE I START
TO HATE THE VIDEO OR
THINK IT’S SO BORING
AND I NEED TO TAKE
TIME AWAY FROM IT.
COME BACK WITH
FRESH EYES A FEW
DAYS LATER AND PUSH
IT TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.
THAT CAN STRETCH OUT
THE TURNAROUND TIME
BUT I THINK IT’S A KEY
DETAIL FOR GETTING
THE MOST OUT OF A
VIDEO.
Q: WHO’ S AN ARTI ST
YOU’ D LI KE TO WORK
WITH THAT YOU HAVE
NOT? (SI GNED OR
UNSI GNED)
LATELY I’VE BEEN
LISTENING TO A LOT OF
EUROPEAN RAP, SO
MAYBE VALE PAIN
WOULD BE DOPE OR
GAZO.

I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH ARTISTS LIKE TORY LANEZ
AND NORE AND WHILE THEY HAVE BEEN INSPIRING SOME OF MY
LONG TERM COLLABORATORS LIKE THE VERSE AND OTHERS
WHO TRUST ME WITH THE VISION OF THE VIDEO WHILE
CONTRIBUTING THEIR OWN IDEAS TO MAKE IT BETTER HAVE
RESULTED IN THE WORK I’M MOST PROUD OF.
Q : O U T O F A L L A R T I S T Y O U ’ V E W O R K E D W I T H W H O W A S
T H E M O S T I N S P I R I N G / C R E A T I V E ?
VIDEOGRAPHY | ISSUE 12
Q : W H A T O T H E R S O C I A L M E D I A D O Y O U U S E O T H E R T H A N
I N S T A G R A M ?
I TRY TO STAY ACTIVE ON YOUTUBE AS WELL, BUT DEFINITELY
INSTAGRAM IS WHERE I POST THE MOST CONTENT.

R A T E T H A T T A P E
Artist: Kresnt
Album: Good Spirits
Location: Vancouver, British
Columbia
Artist: 100 OTD
Album: Just The Beginning
Location: Toronto, Canada
Artist: Drake
Album: For All The Dogs Scary Hours
Edition
Location: Toronto, Ontario
29 • RATE THAT TAPE

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ISSUE 12 | 2023

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ISSUE 12 | 2023