Hitmakerz

Hitmakerz is a Canadian social enterprise and record label based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 2016 by Thor Simonsen. Originally called Nunavut Hitmakers, the company began as a record label and touring company specializing in Inuit pop music, producing albums and running workshops in remote areas of the Canadian Arctic. It has since evolved into a multifaceted consulting agency that supports Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists and cultural organizations through strategic planning, fundraising, project management, marketing, media production, event coordination, and professional training. The label's origin story centers on Kelly Fraser, a young Inuk artist from the Canadian Arctic who dreamed of a music career but did not know how to realize it. In 2016, she met Thor Simonsen, a fellow artist and music producer, who secured funding for her to record and market an album. That album led to marketing campaigns, tours, workshops, sponsorships, radio spins, number-one hits, and award nominations, and Fraser went on to perform under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, at Parliament in Ottawa, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Fraser passed away before fully realizing her dream, but the label she inspired continues to support artists like her. Hitmakerz describes itself as "a social enterprise pretending to be a record label." Its mission is to create opportunities for artists to turn their dreams into reality and to make music possible. The company is committed to kindness, inclusivity, and sustainability, prioritizing the well-being of artists and striving to create win-win situations. It offers artists 100% ownership, simple contracts, no commitment, and a zero-risk model where service and management fees are included in successful fundraising. According to its website, Hitmakerz has funded over 100 projects, achieved a six-figure track record, produced more than 20 albums, collaborated with over 50 artists, earned 20+ awards and nominations, and reached millions of streams globally. Recent projects include the NUPOP Kitikmeot Tour (2025), the Sanikiluaq Music Festival (2024), the Nunavut Music Summit (2024), NUPOP South (2024), Fusion (2023), Qaggiavuut Mentorship (2023), OMIC Fusion (2023), the Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards (2023), NUPOP (2022), and the Ajungi Mentorship (2020). The label's roster and collaborators include Kelly Fraser, Agaaqtoq, Mikuro, Mika, Looee, Meriva, Joey Nowyuk, Thor Simonsen, Qattuu, Leo Matthew, Jacob Okatsiak, Jo Ellen Pameolik, Legacy, Aasiva, Ehski, Aocelyn, JD Mike, Angela Amarualik, and Shauna Seeteenak.

Hitmakerz was founded in 2016 by Thor Simonsen, a music producer and artist, originally under the name Nunavut Hitmakers. The label began as a record label and touring company specializing in Inuit pop music, producing world-class music and providing workshops in remote areas of the Canadian Arctic. Its founding was inspired by Kelly Fraser, a young Inuk artist from the Canadian Arctic who had a big dream but did not know how to make it real. In 2016, she met Simonsen, who secured funding for her to record and market her album. That album led to marketing campaigns, tours, workshops, sponsorships, radio spins, number-one hits, and award nominations. Fraser went on to perform under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, at Parliament in Ottawa, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. She passed away before fully realizing her dream, but the label she inspired lives on to support artists like her. Over time, Hitmakerz evolved from a record label into a multifaceted consulting agency. It now supports Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists and cultural organizations through a wide range of services, including strategic planning, fundraising, project management, marketing, media production, event coordination, and professional training. The company describes itself as "a social enterprise pretending to be a record label." Its mission is to create opportunities for artists to turn their dreams into reality and to make music possible for artists in whatever ways it can. Hitmakerz is committed to kindness, inclusivity, and sustainability, prioritizing the well-being of artists and striving to create win-win situations and unify the material forces of business with the divine forces of music. Key projects and initiatives have included the Ajungi Mentorship (2020), a virtual music and production training program; NUPOP (2022), a Nunavut popular music export showcase concert series in Iqaluit; Fusion (2023), an improvisation and live sound workshop in Ottawa; Qaggiavuut Mentorship (2023), a digital mentorship program in Iqaluit for Inuit artists; OMIC Fusion (2023), beatmaking and songwriting events in Ottawa; the Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards (2023); NUPOP South (2024), featuring Inuit artists doing shows in Toronto; the Nunavut Music Summit (2024); the Sanikiluaq Music Festival (2024); and the NUPOP Kitikmeot Tour (2025). These projects celebrate Inuit culture through performances, workshops, and events, and foster industry connections. According to its website, Hitmakerz has funded over 100 projects, achieved a six-figure track record, produced more than 20 albums, collaborated with over 50 artists, earned 20+ awards and nominations, and reached millions of streams globally. The label offers artists 100% ownership, simple contracts, no commitment, and a zero-risk model where service and management fees are included in successful fundraising. Hitmakerz continues to operate as a social enterprise and record label based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

• 2025

  NUPOP Kitikmeot Tour celebrating Inuit culture with performances, workshops, and events.

• 2024

  NUPOP South in Toronto, Nunavut Music Summit, and Sanikiluaq Music Festival.

• 2023

  Fusion improvisation and live sound workshop held in Ottawa; Qaggiavuut digital mentorship program in Iqaluit; OMIC Fusion beatmaking and songwriting events; Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards.

• 2022

  NUPOP, a Nunavut popular music export showcase concert series, held in Iqaluit.

• 2020

  Ajungi Mentorship, a virtual music and production training program, launched.

• 2016

  Hitmakerz founded by Thor Simonsen as Nunavut Hitmakers, a record label and touring company specializing in Inuit pop music.

• 2016

  Thor Simonsen meets Kelly Fraser and secures funding for her album, leading to tours, awards, and international performances.

A social enterprise record label and consulting agency empowering Indigenous and Inuit artists with 100% ownership and zero-risk support.

• Music albums

  Over 20 albums produced for Inuit and Indigenous artists.

• Strategic planning

  Clarifying vision and mapping step-by-step action plans for artists.

• Fundraising

  Helping artists find partners to finance productions.

• Project management

  Coordinating schedules, planning events, and keeping budgets on track.

• Media production

  Connecting artists with audio, video, and photography professionals.

• Marketing

  Creating authentic content and campaigns to grow fanbases.

• Administration

  Handling applications, registrations, reporting, and accounting.

• 2025NUPOP Kitikmeot Tour
• 2024Sanikiluaq Music Festival
• 2024Nunavut Music Summit
• 2024NUPOP South
• 2023Fusion
• 2023Qaggiavuut Mentorship
• 2023OMIC Fusion
• 2023Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards
• 2022NUPOP
• 2020Ajungi Mentorship

1. 1Hitmakerz – Make Music Possiblehitmakerz.com
2. 2About Ushitmakerz.com
3. 3Serviceshitmakerz.com
4. 4Our Storyhitmakerz.com
5. 5Hitmakerzwikidata.org