Canadian hip-hop duo from Calgary, AB - made up of sisters Priya “Contra” and Bhagya “Eboshi” Ramesh – was formed in 2017 after a performance by Princess Nokia. Both sisters identify as queer women of colour and feature a variety of other queer icons in their music videos and shows. Cartel Madras uses their platform of music to showcase their own flavor of rap known as “goonda” rap – which is a South Asian term used to describe a group of “thugs”. They have started to receive a great deal of international attention since signing with Sub Pop Records in early 2019. (Photography by: @unfoldingcreativephoto )

Comprised of Indigenous, Vancouver-based MCs from Hailsa Nation - Darren "Young D" Metz and Quinton "Yung Trybez" Nyce - they have had a variety of festival perofmrnaces, tours, and releases since forming in 2016. The duo have been booking an onslaught of events nationally and internationally since winning the Polaris Prize in 2019. The band's name captures their radical, sarcastic, and politically-charged style of music. Metz and Nyze creating music that is inspired by their Haisla roots and produced for people who come from reservations and communities that can relate to their experiences. Their most recent album, Rez Bangers & Koolapops, was released in the spring of 2019. (Photography by: @nolanguichon )

Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, Jae Sterling has a long history in the Calgary, AB hip-hop community and has released numerous EPs to critical acclaim - with a recent release of his EP 'Jaguar' in 2019. His mission is to build community engagement and involvement through hip-hop. Sterling's most recent residency at the National Music Centre in Calgary was aimed at showcasing, curating, and building relationships between emerging hip-hop and rap artists from the local area. As a self-taught producer and sound engineer, he is starkly aware of the need for mentorship within the hip-hop community and aims to provide newer artists with the guidance he didn't receive. (Photography by: @yungkamaji )