ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been just over a year since 16-year-old rapper Shaeden Letts relocated from Yellowknife to Ottawa with dreams of making it in the music industry.

So far, he feels like the move has been fruitful.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 bigger than where ISA国际影视传媒檓 originally from,SA国际影视传媒� the Yellowknife-born teenager said during a walk along the Rideau Canal. SA国际影视传媒淚t was a big adjustment, but after a year, I got used to it.SA国际影视传媒�

Letts, who is a SA国际影视传媒減roud citizen of Tlicho First NationSA国际影视传媒� on his biological fatherSA国际影视传媒檚 side and of Salish heritage on his motherSA国际影视传媒檚, performs under the alias ShaedyDain.

He and his parents made their big move south in August of 2022, and now live with his grandparents in an Ottawa neighbourhood called Riverside Park while he attends grade 11 at Glebe Collegiate Institute in the city centre.

While he often misses his best friend in Yellowknife, he believes he would have had a difficult time achieving his music dreams if he stayed there.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll I could do was write and record on my phone and then post on an app called Band Lab, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 a small platform,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚n the North, itSA国际影视传媒檚 almost impossible to be known everywhere.SA国际影视传媒�

Letts, with a little help from his father, has already found some useful resources in Ottawa, notably a studio and creative space for recording artists called the Real House of Ensemble.

With the guidance of the team at the studio, the 16-year-old recorded a four-song EP called Strain, which was released on major streaming platforms like Spotify on Sept. 30SA国际影视传媒攖he third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Just a few days later, on Oct. 4, he released a follow-up single called Make a Stand, which is also available across streaming platforms.

His favourite creation so far, he said, is the second track on his Strain EP, called Crazy.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the lyrics on that one are very good,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he flow is very well done too. Quality-wise, itSA国际影视传媒檚 probably the best song ISA国际影视传媒檝e made.SA国际影视传媒�

Musically, Letts draws inspiration from his favourite rapper Trippie Redd, as well as industry icons like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, all Americans. The inspiration for his lyrics, meanwhile, comes from closer to home, touching on themes like trauma, addiction, and racism.

Those themes will also appear in his next project, a seven or eight-track album he hopes to release in November, which will also explore the reasons he wanted to leave Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight before I left Yellowknife, I was telling everyone who was telling me I couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 do it that I was going to do it, and that I was going to make it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚n the next album, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 songs where I talk about why I moved.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really excited. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been writing, writing, writing songs in school, on my notes [app] on my phone.SA国际影视传媒�

With several releases on Spotify, and more on the way, Letts is confident he will find success as a musician, and soon, as long as he keeps working.

SA国际影视传媒淸People back home] are surprised ISA国际影视传媒檓 even on Spotify and stuff,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 think I have a good start. From what ISA国际影视传媒檝e heard, a lot of the big [rappers] blew up when they were 18 or 19, so I think I have lots of time to work on it.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just have to keep the grind going.SA国际影视传媒�