Spotlight on Business: You’ve been nominated for (and won) some big awards.Whatdothoseacknowledgments mean to you? Maggie Andrew: They’re validating, especially for everyone involved in a project. Nobody sees the hours that go into this work, so to be recognized - especially in Nova Scotia - feels good! Winning African Nova Scotian Musician of the Year with MNS and the ECMA for African Canadian Artist of the Year felt especially meaningful. Some people tried to question if I was “really Black.” Those awards said otherwise. That said, I think it’s time to let other young Black artists have that moment now. Spotlight on Business: Do you have advice for young or emerging artists? Maggie Andrew: Be yourself. That’s your superpower. Don’t limit your genre or your sound. Don’t make music just to fit a box. And
not take it too seriously. Don’t overthink captions. If it takes you three days to write one, it’s not worth it. People want real - I try to give them that. And honestly, your real- life shows are what make people follow you online - not the other way around. Spotlight on Business: What was it like the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio? Or saw it on Spotify? Maggie Andrew: When I first released music on Spotify in 2019, it was DIY all the way - just me and my best friend using DistroKid. It felt good to put something into the world, even if it was super low- key. A few playlists picked up the track, including one in Japan, which was wild. I still have fans there. As for radio, CBC plays my music now. The best part was when my mom heard one of my songs on CBC in her car. That moment was for her!
don’t listen to people who don’t get it. Even if you mess up, at least you trusted your gut.
Spotlight on Business: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? Maggie Andrew: You don’t need to be signed to a major label to make music that matters. I don’t make music to chase approval — I’m making it because it’s who I am. I’ve learned that you don’t have to wait for anyone to give you permission. Creativity is free, you can always build something on your own terms. Spotlight on Business: Do you prefer recording or performing live? Maggie Andrew: That’s a tough one! Studio time is where the magic starts. You’re building something from nothing - and I love that part of the process. It’s where the songs really come to life. But performing live? I’m falling in love with that now. I’ve been taking vocal lessons, learning how to care for my voice, and
Be yourself. That’s your superpower. Don’t limit your genre or your sound. Don’t make music just to fit a box.
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