Yukon’s First Hip-Hop Label Promotes Up-And-Coming Artists

It is rare that the phrase “necessity breeds invention” is so relevant as it is in Canada. Artists seeking international success face serious obstacles due to the size of the population and a lack of resources. Fortunately, North Gold Entertainment was created to meet this need.

Who Discovered ‘North Gold Entertainment?’

Isaac Pumphrey, a musician and artist from Yukon, founded the independent label and artist collective after identifying a need for advocacy within the Yukon hip-hop and R&B community.

“Growing up in the North I always felt crippled by a feeling of isolation from the rest of the world,” he said. “It seemed that things like becoming a professional athlete or getting a hit song or even just creating something that could reach a real audience was simply an impossible task, just because of where I grew up. I want to change that.”

Pumphrey has been an artist and creative individual throughout his life, pursuing various interests. Those interests are music, photography, film, and business. After realizing his passions and Yukon’s excellent musical talent, he founded North Gold Entertainment in 2020.

He’s enrolled in the Entertainment Management program at Toronto’s Trebas Institute to enhance the skills he will bring back home.

“The music was there, the creativity was there, but none of these artists knew how to properly brand and market themselves, let alone navigate this maze that we call ‘the music industry,’” he said. “I want to build something that can not only guide these artists but build a brand that we can collectively push together.”

The Company’s Goals

A primary goal of the company is to produce high-quality music and content. The company will serve as a platform for developing and recognizing young talent. Also, it will provide quality services to established artists.

Pumphrey has discovered the hip-hop and R&B scene in the Yukon to be far more extensive than he had ever anticipated. He is inspired by many artists who can express themselves creatively in the Yukon. The shift from offline to online promotion has opened up many tools and platforms for artists. Pumphrey believes the time is now for artists to amplify their voices and achieve greater accessibility.

“It is now possible to be anywhere and connect with the entire world through these [online] platforms and achieve the goals and dreams that, to me, once seemed completely out of reach,” he said. “With North Gold Entertainment, I’d like to be able to take artists from any community or any background and give them the team and resources they need to succeed.”

Image Source: Soundcloud

Furthermore, North Gold offers a range of services, including but not limited to vocal recording, photography, videography, and management services. These services guide clients through the maze of royalties and social media.

Pumphrey’s Works Alone For The Time Being

Currently, Pumphrey operates as a “one-man show” but hopes to enlist other creatives to expand his entertainment business.

“I record all my artists in my home studio that I have built over the last year, get them set up to receive royalties, do the distribution, run all the social media for the company, do all the marketing, along with all the content creation, including photo and video,” Pumphrey said. ” So, right now building a proper team is crucial to us expanding and growing.”

Pumphrey has worked with artists and producers from across Yukon and Canada. However, North Gold has its own roster.

Among them are hip-hop artists Mobb Diggity, Princess Melia, Little Boe, and Pumphrey as Pumpskii. He shared that the company is always looking for new clients and performance opportunities. Also, he hopes to expand this lineup in the future.

Company’s Success

After several successful performances over the past two years, North Gold Entertainment has increased its local fan base. In addition, roster artists will participate in Cypherfest 2021 and online events like Fall Creator Fest, the Bell Songwriting Challenge, and March 2022’s Crush the Crisis opioid awareness campaign. These past successes encourage Pumphrey, who wants to expand the company even more.

Currently, North Gold Entertainment is booking summer events. Pumphrey encourages all artists to reach out regarding opportunities for recording and performing.

The season already has several performances planned, including Mobb Diggity, Pumpskii, and Princess Melia at Adaka Festival and Arts in the Park. Updates and more information are available via the company’s website, www.northgoldent.com, or Instagram @northgoldent.

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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