CBC Music announces Searchlight 2018 winner

Photo provided by CBC Music

This morning on q with Tom Power, CBC Music announced Halifax based hip-hop singer-songwriter, aquakultre as the winner of the Searchlight 2018 competition. The annual contest to find Canada’s next big music act was narrowed down from over 2,000 entries from every province and territory by a combination of public votes, a Canadian music industry panel and three celebrity judges.

aquakultre otherwise known as Lance Sampson has been said to be the “best new rapper to come out of Halifax in twenty years” (The Coast Magazine). He has earned the 2018 Searchlight title with his song, “Sure“.

“It’s all about being unique, and standing out from the crowd,” said SEARCHLIGHT judge Allan Reid, president & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “As soon as we first heard aquakultre and the combination of hip-hop, acoustic guitar, and his soulful voice, we knew it was something special.”

When he found out he had won SEARCHLIGHT, Sampson said,

“This is crazy! I’m really excited about going to the JUNO Awards in 2019 in London. I just want the world to hear the music is all. I think they need to.”

New to this year’s grand prize, aquakultre will take part in Canada’s premiere artist development program: the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class. This includes a performance spot at the 2018 JUNO Master Class music industry showcase in Toronto, a trip to the 2019 JUNO Awards and a performance during JUNO Week. He has also earned a one week residency at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, with access to recording studios, professionals, and a historic instrument collection that spans over 450 years of technology and innovation, in addition to a performance slot at this year’s CBC Music Festival at Toronto’s Echo Beach.

For more information on CBC Music’s SEARCHLIGHT, visit cbcmusic.ca/searchlight

Jenna Melanson

I’m Jenna, the founder and editor of Canadian Beats. I have had a strong love for Canadian music, which started many years ago. I have a passion for promoting these talented Canadian bands and artists, and that’s how Canadian Beats came to be.

Canadian Beats has grown to become more than media, and what a journey it’s been.