Esma
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | SELF
Music
Press
ESMA receives her first National coverage through Canada’s #1 Entertainment program, CTV’s ETALK. - eTalk
ESMA won a spot in Canada’s Music Incubator Program, an Artist Entrepreneur program worth $7500 for select artist at the award winning management company Coalition Music. - Canada's Music Incubator
“This Canadian Hip Hop artist has been compared to Grammy nominee “Nicki Minaj”. “ESMA” has taken her brand to the forefront of Canadian music by combining her Rap skills with songwriting and vocal talents (like the female version on Drake) while her message is about empowering women”. – Rudy Blair - Rudy Blair Media
For Immediate Release: TORONTO (April 15, 2016)
ESMA is thrilled to debut new music off her upcoming EP ESMA unKAGEd produced by DJ Kage during Canadian Music Week with a show choreographed by Danny Davalos (Rihanna, Shawn Desman) owner of OIP Dance Centre and home of Do Dat Entertainment, ESMA’s music is an infusion of Hip Hop, R&B and Pop with a touch of Middle Eastern instruments which makes for an innovative sound. Canadian Music Week runs May 2-8th in Toronto at various venues.
“I’m so excited for CMW as I feel like I have written my most authentic music to date,” says ESMA. “I am also singing and rapping in each song, which allows me to express myself to the fullest; I had not previously rapped on my tracks.”
ESMA has performed internationally and opened for artists such as Karl Wolf, Jadakiss, Jay Sean, Dru Hill, SisQo, LMFAO Party Rock Crew, Danny Fernandes, JRDN, Kos and Dirty Radio. ESMA trains with celebrity vocal coach Elaine Overholt (John Travolta, Shawn Mendes, Majid Jordan). She has also trained with Ron Anderson (Adele, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson).
“I am also very proud to be performing with talented percussionist, Polat known as “Bongo.P“, who plays the Darbuka (A Middle Eastern Drum),” she explains. “It is so important to me to include my cultural background in my music and I have always wanted to have a live Darbuka player on stage with me. I am bringing something very different to the stage with my genre combinations and I am proud of it.”
ESMA’s latest single and video is “The 6ix” which shows her love for Toronto.
CMW Showcase: May 3rd 9pm @Supermarket
http://esmarhythm.com/
More about ESMA:
ESMA has had her music placed on American reality shows with millions of viewers after landing a sync deal with Emmy Award winning company Bunim/Murray and has won Top 40 radio station HOT 107’s Hot Factor competition, receiving 10K and radio promotion. ESMA has collaborated with producers such as Fingazz (Snoop Dogg, Karl Wolf), Marcus Kane (So So Def) & Juno award winner Rich Kidd (Drake, Busta Rhymes, SonReal). Rich Kidd is featured on ESMA’s single Soul Trigga, which was added to rotation on hit Toronto station G98.7 FM.
##
esmarhythm.com/epk - Skylar Entertainment
Canadian Musician Interview - Canadian Musician
Canadian Musician Radio Interview - Canadian Musician Radio
"Soul Trigga" featuring JUNO winner Rich Kidd added to hit music station G98.7 FM - G98.7 FM
Canadian Musician Magazine video interview at Canadian Music Week 2015. - Canadian Musician
Canadian Musician Radio Video interview about Canadian Music Week 2015. - Canadian Musician Radio
Soul Trigga featuring Rich Kidd 5 star music review. - The Voice Magazine
"Soul Trigga" featuring JUNO winner Rich Kidd featured on Top 40 radio station Star 93.3 Top 20 countdown in Ontario. - Star 93.3 FM
Official Press Release for "Soul Trigga" - Skylar Entertainment
“Soul Trigga” featured artist, Rich Kidd, won a JUNO as artist and producer for “Best Rap Recording of the Year.” We would like to congratulate him and his group Naturally Born Strangers and are proud to have had the chance to work with such a great talent. -
Semi-Finalist out of 18,000 entrants of the International Songwriting Competition - International Singing Competition
Top 40 station Mix 103.7 features “Soul Trigga” - Mix 103.7
Featured on Toronto Show V-Mix on OMNI TV, episode aired across Canada - V-MIX & OMNI
The Bounce Radio Play for "Fall Back" - The Bounce
City TV covered the shooting of my second music video Fall Back; which is based on anti-bullying in support of the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund. - City TV
Music video and interview feature on CTV talking about my second music video "Fall Back" and how the video is based on anti-bullying and associated with the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund. - CTV 2
Front Cover of The Journal & Front of Arts&Life - Just Tell Bullies to Fall Back
Proceeds from sales of "Fall Back" donated to The Amanda Todd Legacy Fund. - Amanda Todd Legacy Fund
Received Radio Promotion, $10000 Cash, $1500 Recording time after winning Top 40 Radio Station HOT 107's yearly competition with my single "Force Of Nature." - HOT 107
Award Nomination - Telus
ESMA featured on City TV's Breakfast Television with live footage and an interview, on location of the shooting of the "Force Of Nature" video shoot. - City TV - Edmonton
Metro News Feature - Metro News
Edmonton Woman Magazine Feature - Edmonton Woman
ESMA on the front cover of The Edmonton Journal - Edmonton Journal
Online Article - Gig City
Numerous websites nationally featured articles on "Fall Back" - Multiple Websites
"Fall Back" Radio Feature - 103.7 FM
Hip Hop Canada Online Video Release - Hip Hop Canada
Radio Interview - 630 CHED
Toronto PR Firm Skylar Entertainment sent out "Fall Back" press release nationally. - Skylar Enertainment
Music placement on 3 episodes of Bad Girls Club Atlanta by Emmy Award-winning reality TV company, for shows such as The Real World, Project Runway and Keeping up with the Kardashians. - Oxygen Network
Force Of Nature featured on Top 40 radio station Mix 103.7 - Mix 103.7
A&R Worldwide is an Artist Development and Marketing Company that only work with a small number of acts that they consider the most credible artists at any one given time.
After hearing ESMA’s music the LA based company showed interest in working with the upcoming artist and due to A&R’s success with many artists such as LMFAO, Coldplay, Dido, Lady Gaga and Adele, ESMA is very excited to work with the company. -
“Watching Esma on the set of her music video for her soon to be released track “Force of Nature”, she
appears to have all the makings of a star.”
“Esma’s music infuses modern upbeat dance rhythms with sultry vocals and hip-swaying Arabic
undertones.” - Edmonton Woman News
Don’t let the eye-catching, exotic looks of up-and-coming pop singer ESMA fool you; the Canadian songstress with the Middle Eastern background is on the verge of stardom, and she embraces her responsibility to be a role model for young women while staying true to her cultural roots... - Soultrain.com
ESMA's on air radio interview with Francoise Rhodes in Palm Springs California about her performances during the first annual Canada Fest. - Travelling with Francoise Radio Show
ESMA's on air interview on the Dan McGrath Radio Show about performing at the first annual Canada Fest in Palm Spring, California. - Dan McGrath Show - EZ 103.1 FM
ESMA (Nov 2012 Cover) - Canadian Arab News
“Force Of Nature” won best song at New Music West Festival & Conference -
Special guest red carpet interview at International Fashion Encounter The Fairmount Royal York in Toronto, ON. - IFE
Single: "Soul Trigga ft. Rich Kidd"
Artist: ESMA
It’s been awhile since I reviewed a single. Typically I prefer to listen to an entire album to get a good idea about a musician’s talent. But when I listened to ESMA’s latest single "Soul Trigga" I was so blown away by her music that I couldn’t wait to review the track.
From Toronto, ESMA is gaining international recognition for her obvious talents as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. ESMA has opened for artists like Karl Wolf, LMFAO party rock crew, Kos, and Dirty Radio, and she is known for her unique sound that combines Hip & Hop, Pop, and various sounds from around the world.
"Soul Trigga" is ESMA’s third single and features Juno award winner Rich Kidd, who has worked with artists like Drake and Busta Rhymes.
Perhaps the first thing that I love about this song is the opening beat that reminds me of Calypso music with a splash of Middle Eastern musical influence. ESMA’s voice is stunningly beautiful, and her ability to sing both high and low notes is amazing. I can’t rave enough about her vocals. Her singing is so mysterious and alluring that I can’t help but feel like she is some goddess of music who captivates all who listen to her. And, combined with the steady rhythmic pulsing of the music, I know that this song will be in my head for days.
The next ingenious element of "Soul Trigga" is the brief interjection by Rich Kidd. His solo helps break up the song and make it so the track does not become boring, something that often happens in modern music.
There is also a video for "Soul Trigga" that showcases some of ESMA’s live performances. I love how this video is done, because not only does ESMA open the video with a brief intro, where we get to see how sweet of a person she is, but she also features her dancers and Rich Kidd’s past performances in the video. Viewers are also treated to ESMA’s amazing dancing.
Also in the video, if you pay close attention, you will notice that ESMA performed one of her singles at a Fashion Against Cancer fundraiser, which led me to checking out her webpage where she has a page specifically titled "Giving Back". On this page, ESMA proudly displays the foundation and charities that she supports. I can’t help but love her dedication to helping those around her, while using her talents to further her support.
So if you are looking for a catchy song that will have you up and dancing, and, even better, is by a Canadian artist, I highly recommend checking out "Soul Trigga ft. Rich Kidd" by ESMA.
Samantha Stevens is an aspiring writer who loves combining her love for literature with photography, painting, music, and all creative pursuits. - The Voice Magazine
Discography
The 6ix
Force Of Nature
Fall Back
Soul Trigga
Bang
City Lights
Labels Up
Bass
Upcoming Releases:
Dope
Body Bag
A Love Song
Photos
Bio
“This Canadian Hip Hop Artist has been compared to Grammy Nominee Nicki Minaj. Esma has taken her brand to the forefront of Canadian Music by combining her rap skills with songwriting and vocal talents (like the female version of Drake) while her message is about empowering women”. – Rudy Blair, Entertainment Media
Esma is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer. Half Syrian/half Lebanese, Esma blurs the lines of Hip hop, Pop and R&B genres. Esma’s lyrical skills as a songwriter/rapper, vocal dynamics as a singer, and performance skills on stage has fostered her YouTube views at over 100K.
Esma’s father named her after legendary Syrian/Egyptian singer, Asmahan (Esmahān أسمهان). After watching Michael Jackson on television and emulating his moves, it was evident at the early age of four that Esma was a born performer. Esma says that “although this industry is tough, I grew up with stories of how my parents escaped wars to come to this country. It really put things in perspective and made me grateful to be able to pursue my goals”.
Presented with many career opportunities, Esma found herself travelling to Toronto several times a year, and quickly she made the bold decision to move from Alberta to Central Canada quickly calling Toronto home as she felt embraced by the city. Esma has and continues to take advantage of the Toronto music scene to perfect her craft in all aspects.
Other than the King of Pop, artists Esma grew up admiring are TLC, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Ciara, Tupac, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.
Esma has collaborated with and opened for numerous international acts and played at major festivals such as Canadian Music Week. She has worked with are JUNO award winner Rich Kidd (Drake, Busta Rhymes, SonReal), hit Producer/songwriter Fingazz (Snoop Dogg, Karl Wolf), and Producer Marcus Kane (So So Def). She has opened for Jadakiss, Karl Wolf, Jay Sean, Dru Hill, SisQo, LMFAO Party Rock Crew, Danny Fernandes, JRDN, K-os, and Dirty Radio.
Esma has been featured on CTV’s eTalk and is a Honey Jam alumni sharing this title with Nelly Furtado and Melanie Fiona. Esma also won a spot into Canada’s Music Incubator Artist Entrepreneur program worth 10K put on by management company Coalition Music.
Esma studied Theatre in University because of her love for acting; she has also trained in Musical theatre, and vocally in Jazz and Classical. She trains with celebrity vocal coach Elaine Overholt (Shawn Mendes, Majid Jordan, Francesco Yates) and has trained with vocal coach Ron Anderson (Alicia Keys, Adele, Janet Jackson, Usher). Along with piano and guitar training, Esma masters her performance skills from training dance at 3rd Street Beat and OIP. Esma worked in LA with marketing company A&R Worldwide (LMFAO, Coldplay, Dido, Avril Lavigne, Adele).
Other than her online presence, some outlets Esma’s music has appear on are Toronto’s Urban Hit Music Station G98.7 FM, California Music Channel, and OK TV Germany to name a few. After landing a sync deal with Emmy Award winning company Bunim/Murray (Keeping Up With The Kardashians), her music been featured on American reality shows with millions of viewers (Bad Girls Club).
Currently, Esma is working on a new music project collaborating with Award-winning producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Lisa Patterson. This collaboration has brought the attention of Roy Hamilton III. Hamilton is an American pop and R&B record producer, songwriter, and former Director of A&R for Capitol Records who’s skills have helped sell over 70 million albums worldwide with top artists. Hamilton has said that Esma’s HipHop flare echos the anthemic style of sound in Kanye’s album “Late Registration”.
When Esma composes her pieces, she hopes to affect the listener in an unanticipated way that resonates long after the music has ended. Stay tuned for Esma’s new project’s drop date.
Band Members
Links
