A groundbreaking artist development company tailored for Black talent in Nova Scotia is set to launch on Emancipation Day in Halifax. Known as Maidie Music House, this innovative venture is spearheaded by Katrina Lopes, the founder and president of KL Management and a seasoned manager for Shawn Desman. Maidie Music House is deeply rooted in and celebrates the Black heritage of Nova Scotia, addressing a longstanding gap identified by Lopes within the music industry.
The concept of Maidie Music House began to take shape several years ago when Lopes initiated a mentorship program designed for African Nova Scotian and Black musicians and industry professionals in collaboration with Music Nova Scotia (MNS) and other industry bodies. This initial program laid the foundation for a larger vision, with Lopes expressing her aspiration for a Black-owned and operated label, management, and publishing company to emerge in Nova Scotia.
Fast forward three years, Lopes is now taking the lead in realizing this vision. Reflecting on her journey, she humorously recalls her initial skepticism about being the one to undertake such a venture. However, driven by the persistent need to provide comprehensive support for African Nova Scotian and Black talents, Lopes saw the necessity for a specialized entity like Maidie Music House.
The prevailing music landscape in Nova Scotia, dominated by folk and Celtic genres, posed challenges for artists in R&B, soul, and hip-hop categories. These genres require unique support systems, including stylists and specialized teams, along with broader market access for touring. The disparity in industry support for Black musicians was highlighted in Music Nova Scotia’s “Black Music Matters” report, underscoring the need for initiatives like Maidie Music House to fill these gaps and foster inclusivity.
Lopes’s determination to address systemic barriers faced by Black artists led to the establishment of Maidie Music House, named after her grandmother, Maidie Upshaw. The company aims to provide a platform for emerging talents to flourish and thrive in a supportive environment. Notably, Jody Upshaw, a talented R&B artist and cousin of Lopes, emphasizes the importance of Maidie Music House in providing opportunities and a sense of community for artists.
While Maidie Music House primarily focuses on artist development, it also serves as a mentoring hub for industry professionals. Shevy Price, a former rapper and industry expert, underscores the significance of having a safe and empowering space under Lopes’s guidance. The emphasis on fostering talent within the local Black community remains a core principle of Maidie Music House, with Lopes expressing openness to extending support to talented individuals beyond Nova Scotia in the future.
The official launch of Maidie Music House is set to coincide with Crescendo Fest, Halifax’s premier Black music festival, where a lineup of talented artists, including Reeny, Zamani, Haliey Smith, and Jody Upshaw, will showcase their skills. This exciting event marks a significant milestone in the journey of Maidie Music House, symbolizing a new era of empowerment and representation for Black artists in Nova Scotia and beyond.