Some of the most influential creatives in Canada right now don’t have a single title. They build platforms, host spaces, document culture, and make things happen for other people as much as for themselves.These are people whose careers don’t fit inside one box, and through that they’re shaping how music, art, and community overlap in Canada today.
Ore Sami-Orungbe: DJ, Curator & Cultural Connector (Sample Chief)
At face value, Sample Chief is a platform for African music knowledge. A resource where listeners can trace samples, discover hidden connections in Afropop, funk, disco, and beyond. What started as an online archive for identifying samples quickly morphed into something much larger: a community and live platform centred around Afro-diasporic music.
Behind Sample Chief is Ore (Ore Sami-Orungbe), a Toronto-based DJ and cultural curator whose sets and events deliberately bridge generations and geographies. Sample Chief events range from trivia nights to symposium panels and dance parties. These emphasize music discovery as cultural literacy, inviting audiences to learn not just what they’re hearing, but why it matters.
Isabel Okoro: Photographer, DJ, Community Builder (local•global world)
Isabel Okoro defies easy categorization. Born in Lagos and now based in Toronto, she is best known for her photographic world-building which cultivates an imagined realm she calls Eternity, where portraits of friends and communities become part of a speculative narrative that blends memory, identity, and intimacy.
Okoro’s work has been exhibited in solo and group shows from Nuit Blanche in Toronto to galleries in Mexico City. Her images have appeared in major fashion and culture outlets such as Vogue. But Okoro is more than a visual artist; she’s a connector who brings people into her world. As Creative Director of her studio, local•global world, she uses photography, event building, and community spaces to bring her world to life.
While her photographic practice anchors her reputation, Okoro’s involvement in cultural gatherings has expanded her influence beyond still imagery. Her projects emphasize both community and movement, blurring lines between visual art, curation, and cultural exchange.
Ladi Adekioya: DJ, Photographer & Community Builder (Flagrant World)
Toronto-based Ladi Adekioya is a DJ, photographer, and community builder whose work spans music, visual storytelling, and cultural platforms. Behind the decks, he curates immersive sets that bring energy and connection to Toronto’s nightlife. As a photographer, Ladi documents the city’s creative scenes, most notably TTYL, capturing the joy, energy, and community spirit of inclusive DIY events. His images preserve cultural moments and give visibility to spaces often overlooked by mainstream coverage.
Through his platform Flagrant World, Ladi creates a space where music, photography, fashion, and culture intersect, fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices
