For years, Toronto’s underground artists have been steadily hustling – building movements in basements, studios, and small venues. But this weekend, they’re taking centre stage.
The Playaz Ball, debuting this Saturday, Oct. 25 is the first award show of its kind to celebrate the city’s creative excellence and pulsing culture. Founded by entrepreneurial artists Reece “Twy” Beals and Terence “Bugatti” Bonsu, the inaugural show is meant to be a tribute to the community that built Toronto’s gritty sound from the ground up.
Created in honour of Beals’ late sister Regis Korchinski-Paquet, the event serves as both a celebration and an appreciation of those continuing to craft Toronto’s artistic legacy, Bonsu says the one-night-only affair will spotlight those whose work often fuels the city’s identity but doesn’t always get mainstream recognition.
“Obviously we have award shows like the JUNOS, the Legacy Awards, things like that. But for a lot of independent artists, they can’t really reach those shows,” Bonsu explained to Now Toronto. “We wanted to make something for the culture, for artists that were up-and-coming, that still are doing their thing, but maybe they haven’t reached that level yet.”
The award show will feature live performances, special guest appearances, and awards across multiple categories, recognizing standout talents from the past year in both local and global sounds – from Hip-Hop, to dancehall, to Latin – as well as in producing and creative direction.
Bonsu says the heavy-hitting lineup reflects Toronto’s diversity, talent, and ever-evolving worldwide influence.
“I feel like everyone that’s on that [nomination] list is actually in the forefront,” he said. “Anyone that actually knows what’s going on in the city, you would know that those people are well deserving.”
Among this year’s performers is Toronto rapper Paris Richards, who will be sharing the stage with Flash Milla for their latest joint hit “Pamela Reloaded.”
Dubbed the “Queen of the 6ix,” she’s nominated for the Playaz Ball’s Queen of the Game Award, an honour she says is pretty on brand.
“I’m excited to be nominated, just to be acknowledged for my craft and my work,” Richards shared with Now Toronto. “This is bigger than just an award. This is the title.”
Making music for more than 10 years now and finally receiving her flowers, Richards says for her, the Playaz Ball represents a moment to showcase the city’s overlooked brilliance.
“I’ll always and forever say people sleep on Toronto, because we have so much talent. On a global scale, it’s only a matter of time where people are going to start to realize that,” she said. “Toronto as a whole has a lot to offer to the culture. We are the culture. We have our own vibe. We bring something different every time to the table.”
Bonsu says he looks forward to the first-ever show and all the future Playaz Ball Awards to come, with hopes of it picking up an annual homegrown tradition that brings together artists, producers, entrepreneurs, and fans to honour the best of the city’s creative spirit.
“I’m really excited to see how everything turns out. I think it’s going to be a great night –a positive night. It’s Black excellence,” he said. “Toronto, they look at it as the screwface capital and all this stuff, but it’s beautiful to see. I can’t wait to see everyone in one room supporting each other.”
Tickets for the Playaz Ball are on sale in general admission and VIP tiers. More information can be found here.
