6ixBuzz

6ixBuzzTV Ltd., doing business as 6ixBuzz (pronounced six-buzz), is a Canadian media platform and record company based in Toronto, Ontario.[3]

6ixBuzz
TypePrivately held
IndustryMedia, Tabloid Journalism, entertainment, music
Genre
FoundedSeptember 22, 2017 (2017-09-22) (platform)
February 19, 2018 (2018-02-19) (company)[1]
Founders
Abraham Tekabo, Sarman Esagholian[2]
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
,
Canada
Area served
Ontario
Divisions6ixBuzz Entertainment
Subsidiaries
  • 6ixBuzzTV
  • 6ixAngels
  • NOTB
  • KnowYork
  • EuroBuzz
  • BuzzTime
Website6ix.buzz

Founded in 2017 by Abraham Tekabo and Sarman Esagholian, 6ixBuzz is most known for sharing user-generated content,[4] but has been criticized for misinformation,[5] right-wing bias, racism, homophobia,[6] anti-Feminism, and perpetuating racial stereotypes, particularly anti-Asian hate.[7][8]

Initially launched as an Instagram account, 6ixbuzz gained popularity by sharing content related to emerging artists, local events, and urban lifestyle.[9]

The success[10] of 6ixbuzz can be attributed to its commitment to showcasing the evolution of urban culture in Toronto and providing a platform for underrepresented voices. Primarily focusing on stories, local artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. 6ixbuzz has fostered an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and creativity.[11]

6ixbuzz has taken steps to expand its brand beyond social media. For example, live events, collaborating with established artists, and venturing into music production.[12]

Background and activity

6ixBuzz began as a meme and parody news profile on Instagram in 2017 with a focus on showcasing Toronto's underground music scene.[13] Its founders, Sarman Esagholian and Abraham Tekabo, attribute the success of their online presence to the "lack of voice" of communities surrounding Canadian hip hop culture.[14] As 6ixBuzz grew to over a million followers on Instagram, its account has become known for its virality, encouragement of erratic stunts,[13][15][16] bullying,[5] and racial divide.[7]

6ixBuzz was noted by The Varsity as introducing Toronto Caribbean slang to a global audience in an article published on March 8, 2020.[17]

6ixBuzz was also involved with working with Ryerson University film student Angelica Milash, producing music videos on behalf of the company and their platform.[18]

In January 2021, the company launched a re-faced website and a mobile app in an attempt to get more media coverage.[19]

Accusations of misinformation and far-right ideology

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, 6ixBuzz has consistently published posts that are anti-vax and anti-lockdown.[6] They have been accused of spreading misinformation commonly associated with far-right politics. These accusations have been buoyed by frequent appearances of individuals associated with the far-right such as Chris Sky and Maxime Bernier.[6]

Accusations of anti-Brampton hate

6ixBuzz has also come under fire multiple times for its posts that appear to 'mock' those who live and reside in Brampton, Ontario. There have also been accusations of xenophobia, prejudice and racism as a result of Brampton's predominantly South Asian population.[20] Brampton appears to a running joke amongst 6ixBuzz posts which include numerous posts saying "Brampton takes the L". The page has been heavily criticised amongst Brampton residents.[21]

Accusations of anti-Asian hate

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, 6ixBuzz was reported to have been causing harm to Chinese owned businesses in Ontario due to its coverage on the pandemic. A Markham, Ontario based noodle shop named "Wuhan Noodle 1950" claimed that they lost nearly two-thirds of their customer base in part due to an Instagram post by 6ixBuzz which was defamatory in nature.[4] The post was eventually removed from the account on April 2, 2020.[22]

The media group also posted videos and photos of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, allegedly perpetuating stereotypes and suggesting people of Chinese and Asian descent were to blame for the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

Notable people

6ixBuzz has featured many real-life personas and characters. Janessa Melina Mendez, or Chromazz, a Toronto-based rapper;[24] and Marcella Christiana Zoia-Ferreira, dubbed Chair Girl who came to notoriety in Toronto for being videotaped throwing a chair onto the Gardiner Expressway in February 2019. Zoia later pleaded guilty in July 2020 to "Mischief Endangering Life" and received a $2,000 fine, 2 years probation and community service as well as counselling for her drinking problem.[25]

Toronto Debby, whose real name was Alexis Matos, was a popular 6ixBuzz character. Matos died November 2, 2021 following an overdose of Fentanyl.[26]

6ixBuzz Entertainment
6ixBuzz Entertainment
Founded2018
FounderAbraham Tekabo
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Warner Music Canada
GenreHip hop, Canadian hip hop, trap
Country of originCanada
LocationToronto, Ontario
Official website6ix.buzz

6ixBuzz Entertainment is a Canadian record label and a division of 6ixBuzz. Founded in 2018, the label currently releases compilation albums featuring Canadian hip hop artists, most of them based in Toronto.[27] 6ixUpsideDown was released on October 19, 2018 and featured Pressa, Yung Tory, Big Lean, and Safe amongst other Toronto artists.[28] It peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 on November 3, 2018 and remained on the charts for 1 week.[29][30]

Its second compilation, NorthernSound, was released on December 13, 2019 and including vocal appearances from NorthSideBenji, Puffy L'z, Prime Boys, Pvrx, Archee & French, and more.[31] The record featured the last work of Bvlly and Why-S before their deaths on December 24, 2019.[32]

In April 2020, the label announced a joint-venture record deal with Warner Music Canada, coinciding with the release of the single "VV's" featuring Killy and Houdini.[33][34] This was followed by the single "Mansions" by Pressa and Houdini, which came after the death of Houdini after he was gunned down in May 2020.[35] This was followed by the single "Name Brand" featuring LB Spiffy and Smiley in June. All three singles are said to be on the labels upcoming compilation album Canada's Most Wanted.[36] Other artist including 88Glam, Top5 and French also made an appearance on the album.[37] The album was officially released in June 11, 2021.[38]

Releases
YearTitleChartPosition
20186ixUpsideDownCanadian Albums Chart (Billboard)87[29]
2019NorthernSound--
2021Canada's Most Wanted[35]--

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2023 "Alejandro Sosa" (with Pengz) Juno Award for Rap Single of the Year Nominated[39]

See also

References
  1. "Federal Corporation Information - 1062527-2 - Online Filing Centre - Corporations Canada - Corporations - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada". www.ic.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  2. Jankowski, Nichole (August 17, 2021). "The Secret Life of 6ixBuzz". Toronto Life. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  3. "Who's behind 6ixbuzztv? How the brand is going from Instagram to international empire". The DMZ. July 16, 2019.
  4. "6ixbuzz coronavirus coverage is doing harm, but so is the lack of diversity in traditional media". thestar.com. February 5, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  5. Wang, Sheila (31 January 2020). "Business down at Wuhan Noodle restaurant in Markham amid racism, coronavirus fear". thestar.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  6. Gammage, Kai (2021-09-24). "6ixBuzz becoming platform for Toronto's right wing". The Toronto Observer. Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  7. Mark Do, Eric; Quon, Alexander. "As coronavirus dominates headlines, xenophobic and insensitive social media posts go viral". Global News. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  8. Robertson, Becky. "Markham restaurant says they've lost customers because of coronavirus fears". www.blogto.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. DMZ, The (2019-07-16). "Who's behind 6ixbuzztv? How the brand is going from Instagram to international empire - The DMZ". dmz.torontomu.ca. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  10. "Success stories - The DMZ". dmz.torontomu.ca. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  11. DMZ, The (2019-07-16). "Who's behind 6ixbuzztv? How the brand is going from Instagram to international empire - The DMZ". dmz.torontomu.ca. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  12. "DMZ Global - The DMZ". dmz.torontomu.ca. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  13. Weekes, Jabbari (11 July 2018). "The Rise of 6ixBuzz TV From Wasteman Memes to Toronto's Hip-Hop Centre". Vice. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  14. Paige-Wilkinson, Raven (2019). "Diaspora's Dialect: Cultural Exchange and the Transformation of Jamaican Patois in the Greater Toronto Area" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  15. Draaisma, Muriel. "Coronavirus 'not something to joke about,' says Ontario passenger charged after flight forced to turn back | CBC News". CBC News. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  16. Freeman, Joshua (26 February 2018). "TTC investigating video of apparent stunt on subway train". Toronto. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  17. "Opinion: The revolution of Toronto slang". March 8, 2020.
  18. "Rye film student is making waves in Toronto's film industry". The Eyeopener. 5 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  19. "More than memes: The growth of 6ixBuzz from social media to music | Curated". dailyhive.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  20. "The secret life of 6ixBuzz". 17 August 2021.
  21. "The Rise of 6ixBuzzTV from Wasteman Memes to Toronto's Hip-Hop Centre". 11 July 2018.
  22. "Family says stock photo spreads stereotypes - Video - CityNews Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  23. "As coronavirus dominates headlines, xenophobic and insensitive social media posts go viral". Global News. Archived from the original on 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  24. Bain, Ellissa (28 November 2020). "Twitter users react as Chromazz drops Megan Thee Stallion diss track – listen here!". HITC. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. "'Chair Girl' fined $2,000, given 2 years' probation, community service | CBC News". Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  26. "Rumours Swirl That Toronto Instagram Personality Debby Has Passed Away". Complex. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  27. "6ixbuzz". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
  28. "6IXBUZZ - 6IXUPSIDEDOWN Canadian iTunes Chart". iTunes Charts. December 31, 2019. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  29. "6ixbuzz". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-02-22. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  30. "Billboard Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  31. Abul-Basit, Dagana (December 25, 2019). "Horrific as 2 Canadian rappers Bvlly and Why-S shot dead just a few hours apart". Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  32. "6ixBuzz features some of Toronto's best on NorthernSound". HipHopCanada. December 13, 2019.
  33. "KILLY & Houdini Connect for Splashy New Single "VV's"". Complex. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  34. "Hip Hop: KILLY x Houdini – "VV's" video premiere, two of Canada's brightest young talents". April 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  35. "Toronto's Houdini and Pressa Collide on "Mansion" | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.
  36. "Smiley and LB Spiffy Link for the First Time on "Name Brand"". Complex. Archived from the original on 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  37. "88GLAM Reps Toronto From "East to West" On Their Latest Single". HYPEBEAST. November 10, 2020. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  38. "6ixbuzz Highlights the Finest Out of the Cold North on "Canada's Most Wanted"". HNHH. 12 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  39. "The Weeknd Tops 2023 Juno Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard.

Sources
  • Wilkinson, Raven-Paige (2019). Diaspora's Dialect (PDF). Retrieved 31 December 2019. {{cite book}}: |periodical= ignored (help)
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