CIMA returned to Rotterdam in May for the 2017 edition of New Skool Rules, the largest international Hip Hop and R&B music conference in the world. The 5th edition of the conference took place from May 19-21 in the Netherlands where industry professionals from over 30 countries networked and shared their experiences and skills through showcases, master classes and workshops. This was the third time that CIMA participated at New Skool Rules, having attended in both 2013 and 2015.
2017 marked the biggest CIMA business and showcase mission to date, with 13 Canadian artists performing at two showcase series. On the business side a Meet the Canadians event, in the format of a B2B speed dating session was organized and the Canadian delegation was featured on various panels. Networking receptions were also held each evening prior to the Canadian Blast showcases.
Events kicked off on Friday with a Meet the Canadians panel featuring CIMA and our partners SOCAN and the SOCAN Foundation. Topics of the panel included information on exporting, benefits of attending New Skool Rules as Canadians and details on the Canadian Blast showcases.
This panel was followed by a networking reception to meet and welcome international delegates. Attendees stuck around to watch the first ever R&B/soul and urban edition of Canadian Blast, which featured four Canadian artists: JENNA (ON), Tessa (ON), AHI (ON) and D’Eve Archer (ON). From start to finish the venue, BIRD, was jam packed with music lovers and delegates from around the world. As the evening wrapped up, D’Eve Archer was joined on stage by Canadian hip-hop artist iLLvibe. The evening was DJ’ed by Toronto’s own DJ Power.
On Saturday afternoon Canadian artists participated in a demo listening session where industry heavy hitters (major international producers, buyers, media, records labels etc) gave them feedback on their material. Canada was further represented on a panel called Alternative Markets by our funder Rodney Murphy from SOCAN. This was an opportunity for the international community to learn more about the Canadian market (touring, how music sales work and much more).
Business events continued with a Meet the Canadians B2B speed-dating session, held at BIRD. The Canadian delegation had the opportunity to sit down and hold short meetings with prestigious delegates from the international community representing major labels, festivals and media.
On the final day, business events continued with a networking reception prior to the hip-hop showcase at De Unie. Once again, attendees stuck around to watch 9 Canadian artists that included DGS Samurai Champs (SK), McEvoy (BC), King Bliss (ON), Myer Clarity (ON), D.O (ON), Quake Matthews (NS), Monique Spence (ON), iLLvibe (ON) and Devontee (ON) with a set from DJ Power throughout the evening.
The venue, De Unie, was at capacity for the entire evening with delegates even sticking around after the show to speak with the Canadian artists and companies. Both showcases were featured as “must attend” events at New Skool Rules.
On Monday, the festivities moved onto Amsterdam where the Canadian delegation participated in two networking cruises on the Amsterdam canal. Over 20 international delegates were invited to enjoy Canadian hospitality and connect with the Canadians.
CIMA would like to thank our sponsors SOCAN and the SOCAN Foundation who co-hosted with us in-market and our showcase event host Duane D.O. Gibson from Northstarr Entertainment and Amanda Star (from The Beat London), host of our R&B showcase. A special thank you to Henca Maduro and her team of excellent staff and volunteers at New Skool Rules.
CIMA gratefully acknowledges and thanks our generous sponsors and partners Canadian Music Week (CMW), Corus Entertainment, the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada (through the Canada Music Fund), Harvard Broadcasting, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), the Radio Starmaker Fund, Stingray Music and The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).