Brampton-born and world-renowned musician AHI releases new album
When AHI takes the stage, you don’t just hear his music—you feel it. His soulful voice, heartfelt storytelling, and undeniable presence have made him one of Canada’s most compelling artists. Now, he’s back with his new album, The Light Behind The Sun, set for release on February 7.
A powerful fusion of folk, soul, and global influences, The Light Behind The Sun was produced by Rahki (Kendrick Lamar, Aloe Blacc) and brought to life by an entirely Black creative team—a rare and significant feat in folk music. The result is a deeply personal, raw, and uplifting body of work that celebrates resilience, hope, and the beauty of human connection.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
What up, good people! I’m AHI (pronounced “eye”), a songwriter and recording artist from the Toronto suburb of Brampton, Ontario, Canada with a uniquely soulful voice and a knack for telling heartfelt stories through my music. My sound intertwines folk roots with threads of my Caribbean heritage and echoes of the global influences that shaped me– it’s a sound I like to call “folk music the whole world can sing to”. I’m all about creating music that speaks to the heart and connects us all through our shared human experience.
You’ve had such a diverse and exciting journey in music, from backpacking through places like Ethiopia and Trinidad to now being a 2x JUNO Award nominee. How did these travels influence your music and creative process?
Traveling has been one of the most transformative parts of my journey. I’ve backpacked across many parts of this globe, and those times were definitely challenging, but as cliché as it sounds, what got me through was the kindness of strangers – especially those who were going through their own personal struggles. Not only that, these experiences opened up my creative process and helped me embrace a sound that is all my own, rooted in the folk tradition while also honoring the diverse influences that have shaped me as an artist.
Your new album The Light Behind The Sun blends African and Caribbean diasporic influences with folk music, creating a truly unique sound. Can you tell us about how you arrived at this fusion and what it means to you personally?
For me, as the child of Caribbean parents, nobody can tell me that Bob Marley isn’t folk or that Redemption Song isn’t one of the greatest folk songs ever written. Like Bob, every song I’ve ever written began with nothing more than my voice and my acoustic guitar; I know I’m Folk. And yet, I’ve spent my career climbing uphill in an industry that says I’m not making “Black music” or “folk music” when the truth is I’m making both. There are so many beautiful sounds throughout the world that represent the “folk” who live in those spaces, and I believe that if I can weave in some of those flavours, textures, and colours that made me into the musician I am today, then I can help move Folk music forward, and ensure that our perspective of folk music is respected, is embraced, and is heard across the planet.
The album was produced by Rahki, known for his work with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Aloe Blacc. What was it like working with him, and how did his style influence the final sound of the album?
Working with Rahki was an incredible experience. We walked in as strangers and walked out as brothers. Truly. Even with everything he’s accomplished in his career, he welcomed me into his studio with open arms and treated me like his equal; he gave me the freedom and the comfort to fully express myself creatively, and I’m forever grateful for that. He’s someone who’s not just focused on the technical side but really on capturing the essence of each song and communicating the message behind it through sound. Rahki brought such a fresh perspective to The Light Behind The Sun, blending everything he’s learned from his background in hip hop and soul with my own folk influences. He helped elevate the album by adding layers of depth that gave each track its own character while still keeping it grounded in the authenticity and simplicity that is true to folk.
The album credits a fully Black production and management team, which is a rarity in folk music. How does this contribute to the authenticity and vision of the album, and what does it mean for you to be part of this change in the industry?
Having a fully Black production and management team is something I’m incredibly proud of, but it didn’t happen intentionally. I sought out the best people for each role, and I was actually surprised when I finally took a step back and realized that I was working with an all-Black team for the first time in my career.
Despite the countless Black folk with multifaceted backgrounds and experiences, there is nobody else in the folk space doing this, and it’s still nearly impossible to find Black Folk producers/engineers/etc. And to have an entire team of Black everything on one record is unprecedented. To create folk music the whole world can sing to, I first had to find my people. People who understood my heritage, my worldview, and my struggle, and could help me translate everything on the inside into the music.
It means a lot to be part of this change and to contribute to breaking down barriers in the industry, making room for more stories and sounds to be heard.
You’ve built an impressive career over nearly a decade. What’s next for you after the release of this album, and how do you see your music evolving moving forward?
With The Light Behind The Sun finally out, I’m excited to take this music on the road and I can’t wait to connect in person with all of the people who have been supporting this record online. Touring is such a uniquely beautiful way to experience the music; it’s where the songs truly come to life. As for the future, I see my music continuing to evolve, taking me into new avenues without ever departing from the heart of who I am and the message that I want to share. I’m constantly learning and growing as an artist, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads me next.