Blackout Podcast

She is a poet at heart, a creative spirit who experiences the world through rhythm, emotion, and truth. Her words are shaped by lived moments and quiet reflections, capturing both the beauty and complexity of life. Through her poetry, she gives voice to the unspoken and creates space for connection, healing, and self-expression. As a new mother, her world has expanded in deeply transformative ways...

Liz LeClair is a proud fundraiser and an intersectional feminist, bringing 20 years of experience to her work as the founder of UpRising Philanthropic Consulting. Liz is also a gender-based violence advocate working to raise awareness on the epidemic of violence in Nova Scotia and an end to the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Liz lives and works in Punamu’kwati’jk (Dartmouth, Nova Scot...

She writes, raps, beatboxes, performs spoken word, and speaks three languages. Meet Warlet, one of the most exciting and multi-dimensional artists to join The Blackout Podcast. Warlet shares the story behind her journey from Brazil to Canada, revealing how her parents (both vocal coaches) inspired her musical foundation, how Brazilian rap legends like Racionais MC shaped her political awakening, a...

Jessica Steele is a paper collage artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a BFA in Fibres from Concordia University and a Diploma of Fine Arts from Dawson College. Working primarily with hand-cut vintage print materials such as books and magazines, Jessica explores how meaning shifts when familiar imagery is separated from its original context and recombined into new relationships. Though...

He’s a photographer, a videographer, a rugby player, and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. Meet Tapiwa , the creative force behind Captured by Shumba . In this episode, Tapiwa explains how his journey behind the camera began in 2023, inspired by a photographer he met on a solo trip to see the Cowboys. But more importantly, we get into why his photos stand out. Tapiwa’s mission is to show his subjects...

Tatiana is a mining engineer by training, a creative by instinct, and a question-asker by nature. She immigrated to Canada from South America as a teenager, carrying with her a spirit of curiosity, deep resilience, and a desire to understand not only herself but, by extension, the people around her. Along the way, she learned to bridge the worlds of logic and intuition, reconciling a highly analyt...

Cathy Akinkunmi is a Halifax-based event producer and Creative Director of Beautiful Celebrations & Design, with over 15 years of experience designing elevated, culturally rich celebrations. She is known for blending tradition with modern elegance to create immersive and unforgettable experiences. In 2024, she produced Halifax's first African-Inspired Wedding Party, a sold-out signature event...

As someone who has always been drawn to explore a variety of interests, FollyHollyLynn’s creative path reflects a lifelong openness to change and growth. Growing up, she experienced both ends of the spectrum when it came to quality of life; nothing overly dramatic in the early years, but enough to evoke deep feelings at times. Later on, nothing excessively lavish, but enough to inspire genuine joy...

Literally stumbling into music by escorting a friend to a studio session and jumping on the mic out of curiosity, S.Kae has never looked back. What started as a random moment quickly turned into a serious craft and a movement he is now fully committed to embodying. But being a creative artist was not something new to him. Born in Zimbabwe, he was involved in a High School drama club and some dance...

India Gailey is a cellist, composer, vocalist, and improviser who appears most often in the realms of classical and experimental music. Named by CBC as one of “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30,” India moves fluidly as a soloist, chamber musician, and interdisciplinary collaborator, performing across the western hemisphere. She has written music for concerts, films, dance, and theatre,...

Nahom Assefa is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and writer whose practice explores cross-cultural storytelling, belongingness, and identity through visual and community-based work. Being a self-taught artist and Business Administration graduate from NSCC, Nahom challenges the “starving artist” stereotype by combining art with entrepreneurship. His studio, Cultured Creative Studio, celebrates...

Kvng Nova, born Abraham Adebayo, is a Nigerian artist carving out a distinctive sound that bridges cultures and emotions. Blending Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Afrofusion, his music reflects both his roots and a global outlook, delivering vibrant, dynamic tracks that resonate widely. Despite being new to the scene, Kvng Nova shows notable maturity and versatility, placing Afrobeats at the core...

DJ Utshab is one of the most renowned DJs in Bangladesh, celebrated for his electrifying performances. He began his DJ career in 2010, and with years of dedication and hard work, DJ Utshab became one of the most sought-after DJs in the country. He has been living in Halifax since 2022, where he performs at the city’s top clubs and events, consistently delivering high-energy sets that leave fans wa...

Nicolae is an alternative R&B singer, rapper, drummer, and producer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His music blends soulful R&B, hip-hop honesty, and rock-leaning energy, with rhythm always at the centre. His latest release, Honey Blooded , explores desire and addiction through metaphor, pairing cinematic textures with an electric edge and deeply personal storytelling. Before stepping full...

Stacey Moser is a fiercely independent creative who believes reinvention is a choice, not a phase. A SCUBA diver, model, artist, and postmenopausal ADHD woman with relentless curiosity, Stacey has been forging her own path since the 1970s, questioning norms, following instinct, and refusing to live quietly at any age. After retiring from a corporate, career-driven life, she chose freedom over hust...

Born in Ukraine, Margarita Fainshtein earned a BFA from the University of Haifa, Israel and MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Exhibitions include: Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago; Chicago Art Department, Chicago; Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax; The Artist House, Jerusalem (forthcoming), The ArtCake Gallery, New York, USA (forthcoming), Katzman Art Projects, Halifax;...

At fifteen, her first song emerged from an English class assignment, built on three chords and sung with friends. That simple moment with a guitar quietly began a path she could never leave. Born in Santiago, Chile, she was raised among films, music, and poetry, where art persistently called to her. Through mentors and fellow artists, she found stages, collaborators, and the understanding that art...

Dana Elborno is a Palestinian-Canadian social advocate based in Halifax. She is diving into her long-awaited art career. Dana holds a Child and Youth degree with a minor in Psychology from MSVU and currently works as a mental health and youth worker. Dana started her activist career in 2021 and has continued to showcase her advocacy on social media, rallies, events, and fundraisers. She has been i...

What started as a simple side hustle for a single mom in Halifax has exploded into a thriving business crafting stunning charcuterie boards and tables for weddings, corporate events, and more. In this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation, Amanda shares her incredible journey: from buying her first house and needing flexible work, to landing a 250-person corporate gala and fitting four commerci...

Sherry Anne Crowe is a model, actor, and inspirational speaker in her 50s who believes that life is not about fading quietly with age, but about evolving boldly. Through her creative work and growing social media presence, she challenges outdated narratives around ageing, confidence, and visibility, empowering women to take up space on purpose and define success on their own terms. Rooted in lived...

Job Brumaire is a creator and entrepreneur born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He is driven by a deep passion for expression through both music and craftsmanship. His journey in music began behind a drum kit in church, evolving into a heartfelt way to connect with people and channel positive energy. Beyond the stage, Job is the owner and operator of Jules & Jax Contracting Services , a...

Luke French is a rapper and songwriter out of Westville, Nova Scotia Now residing in Halifax. Influenced by both new and old-school artists like Griselda, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, French began his career in 2020 after releasing his mixtape “1624”, which earned praise from Griselda producer Camoflauge Monk for his production work. Luke's most recent project with fellow collaborators C-St...

Natalie Chiasson is a journalist and visual artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She moved to the East Coast from western Canada in 2019, and has established strong roots here in Mi’kma’ki. She is passionate about storytelling through writing, photography, videography, and illustration, and strives to document stories that amplify underrepresented voices that bring attention to environmental, cul...

What happens when you don’t choose music, but music chooses you? In this electrifying episode, the magnetic Nigerian artist Oluzy traces his journey from freestyling on street benches in Lagos to sharing stages with Afrobeats giants like Ruger and Joeboy in Canada. Oluzy pulls back the curtain on his unique creative process, revealing how a chance airport encounter inspired his viral hit “Bamidele...

Blackout Podcast Episode 349: Double A - DJ / Founder, Modus Music Group Double A first made his mark as a pioneering drum and bass DJ in Montreal’s underground scene in the early 1990s. Over the next decade, he toured extensively across North America and around the globe—from Cape Town to Tokyo, Los Angeles to Toronto. Alongside longtime DJ partner Twist, he co-founded Dune and Nude Recordings, t...