2024 RAP RESIDENTS

Northern Affair

Dominic Simser, one half of Northern Affair, is a self-taught producer and songwriter who channels his pain and struggles into storytelling with depth and emotion. Originally from Scarborough, Dominic discovered music as a powerful outlet to express his emotions and process past traumas. “Growing up in high school, all my free time went into making beats. Eventually, those beats turned into songwriting—a way for me to really express myself. Music is intimate for me; it’s something I hold close to my heart,” he shares. Dominic’s goal is to remind people that they’re not alone in their struggles. “All you need is good music with a rich message that makes you feel heard.”

Shamoy Thompson, also known as UTC Traxx and one-half of the rap group: northern affair, is a Toronto-born music producer with a passion for crafting complex beats that hit hard. His journey in music began in 2018 when a friend introduced him to beat-making, sparking his interest in production. He quickly immersed himself in YouTube tutorials, learning the essentials of beat-making, mixing, and mastering. Inspired by a diverse mix of artists—ranging from Drake, Tory Lanez, and The Weeknd to Trippie Redd, Juice WRLD, Lil Tecca, and Brent Faiyaz—Shamoy brings a fresh creativity to his work, blending influences from Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop to infuse each track with its own unique sound.