Halifax music producer selected for national accelerator program

Crystal Garrett chats with Halifax producer, songwriter and artist Zamani Folade about being selected for a prestigious national program.

Halifax-based songwriter and producer Zamani Folade was one of six people selected to participate in the 2026 Women in the Studio National Accelerator Program from Music Publishers Canada.

The program supports women and gender-diverse producers through mentorship and skill development. Folade says she’s been making music for a long time but the accelerator gives her a chance to explore the deeper layers of production and the music industry.

“It’s such and honour because it’s a national program,” Folade told CTV Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett. “I’m really excited to learn more.”

Folade’s latest single, “Cycles,” was released in May. She says she produces almost everything she writes but for this one she worked with Halifax-based instrumentalist and producer Nulo.

“It’s been really great working with him,” she says. “I think we’re making some great stuff.”

Giving up some control to another producer was a learning experience, Folade says.

“I’m always learning a bit about how to communicate in the studio,” she says.

Being a producer herself helps but Folade says self-taught artists benefit from collaborations.

“That’s why the program Women in the Studio is so great because I feel like I’ll learn a lot about that communication and I’ll learn some of the industry and music terminology and vocabulary that will help to further my sound and enhance my music.”

She says programs like the accelerator are opening doors for women who want to produce.

“On a more global scale… I’m seeing a lot of young women who are talking about learning how to produce,” Folade says. There is push for female artists to learn to use digital audio workspaces, play instruments and produce their own music because it’s a big advantage, she says.

“Have that agency over your career because there are going to be plenty of times where you’re going to be the only woman in the space and it’s really to your advantage to know the ins and outs.”

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