Fresh off of winning the 2023 International Songwriting Competition for Hip-Hop (previously won by Vance Joy, Gotye, Kehlani, The Band Perry) Raz Hyder released his heavily anticipated debut album, “The Life of Hearts” on August 15th, 2024. The album was produced by Polaris and JUNO award-winning producer, Taabu, and has already racked up over 17,000 streams from live shows and word-of-mouth alone.

Raz independently organized a national tour in support of his album which included 14 shows and hit iconic stages including The Winspear Centre (Edmonton), Factory Theatre (Toronto), Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Mississauga Celebration Square, Isabel Bader Theatre (Toronto) and the Small World Centre (Toronto). Raz also achieved an unprecedented feat with 5 headline acts across the 14 shows, performing in front of a total of 14,000 fans across Canada.

The Tour ended on November 9th with a sold-out show at Small World Theatre and included opening acts from Raz’s community, as well as special guests Hamza Haq and Sarah Ahmed who lead a community conversation on the intersect of Mental Health and the Arts.

Since release, “Glass Houses” has received global radio play in Melbourne, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Toronto and the UK.

Born in Toronto of West Indian heritage, Raz is a singer/songwriter and producer blending alt rock, pop and hip-hop into a fresh sound dubbed “Stadium Hip-Hop”. With a focus on honest and vulnerable lyrics that seem to be rare nowadays, Raz searches for understanding and connection in every song. His larger-than-life sound was crafted over 14 years and his performance has been described as an experience fit for a local cafe, or a full stadium. Raz’s ability to pull his audience into his world and create shared moments of Truth has been turning heads and selling out shows across Canada.

Since turning down multiple graduate programs and moving to Germany on a one-way ticket to pursue his dream, Raz has racked up over 550,000 views and streams and landed major opening performances for Hasan Minhaj, Mustafa, Mo Amer, Brother Ali and Shawn Hook. Notable writing and collaborations include NARCY, Cat Stevens and Isam B of acclaimed group Outlandish.

In 2023, Raz won the International Songwriting Competition for his hit single “Gave You Everything”. In August 2024, he followed up with the release of his debut album “The Life of Hearts”, coupled with an independently funded, 14-show national tour. The Life of Hearts includes Raz’s most successful song to date, “Imagine”, and has received international radio play.