Modern Artist Profile: Mississauga's Award-Winning Neddy
/In conversation with Mississauga’s Neddy, winner of the 2025 Mississauga Music Award for Best Online Content.
1. How does this award impact you personally and professionally?
This award was a big boost for my confidence. I’ve spent a lot of time over the years creating content and trying to get my music out there in the most creative ways possible. It’s amazing to have my work recognized on a stage in front of so many talented artists and industry professionals.
2. Who or what inspires you creatively?
Most of my inspiration comes from other online creators. I usually try to capitalize on viral content and add my own twist to promote my music. This year, I committed to a music program called Soundstock, an artist development program that provides Black artists and producers with the knowledge, tools, and access to resources to help advance their music careers.
I connected with some amazing artists through the program, but one in particular stood out, Kai Banks, who was going viral for his content. He used Snapchat to record his videos, giving them a more organic, real-life feel. I took that idea and added a twist by transitioning into a high-quality performance scene once the viewer was hooked, to promote my song.
Marketing music is a major part of growing in this industry. You can have an amazing song, but if no one hears it, you can’t build a career from it. That mindset stemmed from a friend of mine, Naz Mitrou-Long, who I also credit for my focus on marketing.
When it comes to songwriting, my creativity comes from personal experiences or the experiences of those around me. I write from an empathetic perspective, putting myself in others’ shoes and expressing what they may have felt or gone through. Although I create music across many genres, from hip-hop to afro, I stay organic and true to myself in the pop and folk genres while also representing the Black community in a light that I feel we’re underrepresented in.
3. What brings you peace?
I’m extremely grateful for the blessings I’ve been given, and ultimately, I would say God is truly the source of my peace. Going to work or school while chasing this dream of being an artist isn’t easy; it can be financially and mentally taxing. Money gets tight, and my free time often feels limited or nonexistent.
God has blessed me with a partner, daughter, and family who bring me back down to earth and remind me to focus on the present instead of constantly worrying about the future. Sometimes, when we chase something, we miss what’s right in front of us because we’re so focused on where we’re going. Although I still have stressful days, God has given me the gift of family, and they never fail to bring me back to peace.
4. Walk us through your songwriting process.
When I’m writing a song, I always start by finding a beat. Sometimes, when I’m driving, I’ll play beats and freestyle to find melodies I like. Other times, I sit in the cold room in my basement and record in my DIY home studio. Once I have some melodies, I’ll usually find a topic to write about and replace the mumbling with real lyrics.
I usually go for a pop or folk beat, but sometimes I’ll work on a hip-hop or rap beat if I want to vent or make something personal. The hardest part for me is finding a beat that doesn’t sound generic. I can usually tell within 5–10 seconds if it’s going in the direction I like. Some days I’ll search for hours and find nothing, and other days, the first beat I find is perfect.
It’s frustrating when I find a beat I love but can’t hit the right octave, or when I realize halfway through writing that the song isn’t working and scrap it after hours of work. If I do create something I like, I’ve learned to mix and master my own vocals at home. It saves money on studio time and gives me flexibility to work on my own schedule instead of an engineer’s.
5. What’s one of your songs that means the most to you?
“One Last Time” is a song that means a lot to me and came from a very personal experience. One day, my parents called and asked me to come home because they wanted to share some news with my sister and me. I remember the anxiety I felt driving over, knowing it wasn’t going to be good news if we needed to be there in person.
When I arrived, they told us my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was in the early stages, but it still hit hard, I was faced with the humbling reality that life is short, and you never know how long you have with someone.
I didn’t really feel like talking to anyone about it, so when I got home, I spent some time in my studio. I wanted to get my mind off it or at least process the situation. I wasn’t planning to make the song so personal, but once I heard the beat and started writing, I poured out everything I was feeling.
The song is about being there for someone until the end. Even if it hurts to see them go, you still want what’s best for them. The chorus goes:
“Even if the sky falls and sun burns out,
I’ll be there to hold you there’s no doubt,
And even if my tears fall as you close your eyes,
Know that I’ll be with you one last time.”
Sometimes I make music just to vent and don’t release it, but I wanted to put this one out for anyone else going through something similar.
You can listen here: https://hypeddit.com/neddy/onelasttime-10
6. The creative journey is an ever-changing one; how has yours changed over recent years?
Over the years, I’ve completely changed how I approach the music scene. When I first started, I made mostly rap and hip-hop because I wanted to make music my peers liked, music that fit the image I thought was “cool.”
As I’ve grown, my style has shifted toward making music that connects with listeners on a deeper level. There are billions of people in the world, so focusing only on my small circle of friends wouldn’t make sense. I’ve realized there’s an audience out there for my music, even if it’s not my immediate group.
Artists today have made it so much easier to grow a fanbase without relying on a record label. I’ve spent countless hours studying marketing and watching interviews with independent artists who blew up, learning how to keep up with the industry.
My focus went from “make music and hope it spreads” to “make music and make sure it spreads using the tools I have.” I also want to show other Black artists that they can explore beyond hip-hop. We’re dominant in that genre, but that can sometimes discourage others from experimenting with different sounds. I want to be an example of success in the pop and folk space, to show there’s more than one path.
7. What succinct advice do you have for artists starting their journey?
My advice for upcoming artists is to stay true to yourself, work hard, and get your music out there. Don’t shy away from advice, be humble and open to learning.
8. What’s in store for 2026?
For 2026, my goal is to reach 10 million streams for the year. I plan to keep releasing music every month like this year, hopefully drop some music videos, and maybe do a few live performances.
