From up-and-coming acts to seasoned veterans, this collection features a standout song from each of the incredible artists we’ve highlighted this autumn. Hit play and experience the unique sounds that make Toronto’s music community shine.

Join us in celebrating the artists who are shaping the soundtrack of our city this fall:

• Kristian King –  (Read Article)
• Steve Marriner –  (Read Article)
• stef.in –  (Read Article)
• Joshua Joyce –  (Read Article)
• Andrea England –  (Read Article)
• David July –  (Read Article)
• 98 Degrees –  (Read Article)
• New Chance –  (Read Article)
• D.O. Gibson –  (Read Article)
• Heartrunner –  (Read Article)
• Thunderor –  (Read Article)
• Ramona Vee –  (Read Article)
• Beta Trip –  (Read Article)

Toronto Guardian Fall 2025 Spotify Playlist

The post Toronto Guardian Fall 2025 Spotify Playlist appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

He’s sold tens of thousands of records, hit #1 on U.S. College Hip-Hop Radio, and toured internationally — all while staying fiercely independent. In 2003, he made history by freestyling for nearly nine hours straight.

2025 has been a landmark year, with 155 performances across Canada as part of his Black Canadian 365 tour. In 2024, he was named one of Shifter Magazine’s Top 20 Outstanding Black Canadians. That same year, he released his first illustrated children’s book and album, The Story of How Young Duane Gibson — a semi-autobiographical project bridging generations through music and storytelling.

D.O.’s impact has been featured on CBC, CityTV, Global, and the Toronto Star, and he’s even co-hosted Entertainment Tonight Canada Live. He’s the author of On This Grind, a motivational memoir, and his upcoming tenth studio album, Just To Finish the Story, drops in October 2025.

Name:

D.O. Gibson

Genre:

Hip-Hop

Founded:

2001

# of Albums:

10

Latest Album:

The Story of How Young Duane Gibson Stayed Driving

Latest Singles:

“Dad I Did It” & “Last Summer”

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Fresh Prince

Favourite musician now:

Michael Jackson

Guilty pleasure song:

Up by Cardi B

Live show ritual:

Meditate and drink water

Favourite local musician:

Rochester

EP or LP?

LP

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird

Road or studio?

Road

Any shows or albums coming up?

Just To Finish the Story (October 2025)

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Salty Dawgs

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Queen St West – the energy, the people, the food.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Bindertwine Park. Love the trails!

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Revival. Played a lot of great shows there.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Long and McQuade – they always have what I need!

The post Five Minutes With: Toronto Hip-Hop Artist D.O. Gibson appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

At a very young age, David July has mastered the ability to use powerful and catchy melodies, as well as emotionally and compellingly performed lyrics to create the smash hits you will hear for years on.

After releasing his first album, Kaleidoscope, in March of 2023, David began to make a name for himself as a genre fusing musician soaring across Canada and the United States, and with massive leaps forward such as a nationwide headlining tour, big festival bookings, and more, people began to see just how powerful David’s masterful live performances prove to be as well.

Starting in high school, David crafted his ability to create memorable hooks and driven verses all by himself, with nothing but his favourite music to study, as well as attempt to imitate. David grew up being influenced by many different types of music. From hip hop legends, like Ice Cube, 50 Cent and Eminem, to pop superstars such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Bieber. From Queen to Metallica, nothing was off limits. This openness to all types of sound was the beginning of David’s journey with music.

Name:

David July

Genre:

Pop/Hip-Hop

Founded:

2020

# of Albums:

1 (not including deluxe)

Latest Album:

Kaleidoscope

Latest Single:

One More Time

Latest Video: Do It Again

Favourite musician growing up:

I listened to a whole lotta Eminem when I was growing up. I remember hearing Drop The World by Lil Wayne and Eminem and instantly falling in love with both of their music.

Favourite musician now:

I have been non-stop listening to The Weeknd’s newest album, and it’s given me a lot of inspiration lately as well. So yeah, I’d say The Weeknd.

Guilty pleasure song:

I’m not really that guilty of this, but I listen to movie/TV/video game soundtracks all the time. If you saw me out walking around and asked me what I was listening to, there’s a good chance I’d say something like “Flight” by Hanz Zimmer (Man of Steel), or “Lily’s Theme” by Alexandre Desplat (Harry Potter). I also listen to a lot of early 2000s and 2010s throwbacks to feel some sort of emotion when the current music just isn’t doing it.

Live show ritual:

I always get a drink in me. Other than that, to be honest, I don’t have a specific ritual I do before (or after) every show, but I feel like there will be something soon.

EP or LP?

I always prefer quality over quantity. So if that means cutting half, or two thirds of the songs made for a project out to make the final cut, then that’s the way it’s meant to be. Having said that, I love a good full album, which doesn’t have to be long by any means, though. Nine to twelve tracks is a good sweet spot I find. The project I’m just finishing up now has nine songs on it, and when I started making it, I was dead set on it being an EP, but as it went on, I figured out more of what the story and the specific concept is, and that told me I needed exactly nine.

Early bird or night owl?

Anyone who knows me knows how much of a night owl I am. A lot of the time, I can’t even get anything done until after midnight when it gets to prime time. Over the years of staying up late in the studio making music, it’s only gotten later and later as it goes on. Sometimes I’ll find myself going to bed around 5-6 in the morning after a session.

Road or studio?

I love both. Being able to tour and have a setup to make music on the road would be an ideal world. The studio is where I can just relax and let all the ideas come out and have fun doing it. The stage is where all those finished ideas come to life, and being on the road is the best way to show as many people as possible those ideas.

Any shows or albums coming up? 

My newest single, “One More Time”, is my favourite song I’ve ever put out, and I can’t suggest it enough to everyone who loves good music. Stay tuned for the official music video coming out very soon as well.

I got some more singles coming out as well, and then I’ll be dropping my upcoming project/album (title classified for now), along with a release show and a listening party, both in the works as well.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

The best burger I’ve ever had is at Burger Drops by Liberty Village here in Toronto.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Queen Street is an obvious answer, but it just has so much good stuff all along it, so it’s hard not to mention.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

I can’t say I’ve been to many parks around me, but Trinity Bellwoods Park is always nice to go by when it’s nice out.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

The El Mocambo is such a sweet venue. I always have such a great time watching shows there.

The post Five Minutes With: Toronto-based Singer-Songwriter David July appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Dive into the playlist and experience the best of what Toronto’s music community has to offer. Let’s celebrate and support the talented individuals who make our city’s musical landscape so unique.

Here’s a closer look at the musicians who defined our Summer 2025 musical lineup:

• Tristan Armstrong –  (Read Article)
• CJ Cooper –  (Read Article)
• Zoë Ferris –  (Read Article)
• Jordan Venn and the Slizneys –  (Read Article)
• PHEAR –  (Read Article)
• Sean Jones –  (Read Article)
• Puma June –  (Read Article)
• Polly-Jean Vernon –  (Read Article)
• Rosalie Moscoe –  (Read Article)
• Shola OG –  (Read Article)
• Barbra Lica –  (Read Article)
• Lammping –  (Read Article)

Toronto Guardian Summer 2025 Spotify Playlist

The post Toronto Guardian Summer 2025 Spotify Playlist appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Fans can expect performances from international acts such as Dom Dolla, Eli Brown, Green Velvet back-to-back with Layton Giordani, Dab The Sky (Dabin B2B Said the Sky), Blanke, Nostalgic and others, plus sets from Canadian artists including Addy, Alkemy, DirtyHappy, and CPark.

Organisers have upgraded production on both the Sirkus and Bass stages. The Sirkus Stage includes 30 percent more LED screens, a redesigned layout, and new overhead shaded trusses for weather protection. The Bass Stage features 33 percent more LED screens, additional subwoofers, and a new laser show.

The festival will operate as a cashless event. Attendees must use credit or debit cards with tap enabled, or pre-paid cards. All wristbands must be registered in advance to access the site. Locker rentals with charging stations will be available, and Downsview Park remains accessible by TTC and GO Transit.

A lead-up event, Road to VELD presented by Urban Planet, is scheduled for July 27. VIP tickets are sold out, but limited on-site VIP upgrades will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wristbands will be mailed for orders placed by July 22; those purchased after that can be picked up at the box office from 1 pm daily.

The festival grounds open each day at 2 pm and close at 11 pm. There is no re-entry allowed and attendees must be 19 or older.

Additional features of the festival include interactive art installations, a wide selection of food vendors, a mobile app with set times and site maps, official merchandise, and curated after-parties.

Tickets, daily schedules, and additional information are available at the official website: veldmusicfestival.com.

The post VELD Music Festival 2025: Massive Lineup and Next-Level Production appeared first on Toronto Guardian.