6ixBuzz

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6ixBuzz
TypePrivately held
IndustryMedia, Tabloid Journalism, entertainment, music
Genre
FoundedSeptember 22, 2017; 4 years ago (2017-09-22) (platform)
February 19, 2018; 3 years ago (2018-02-19) (company)[1]
FoundersSarman Esagholian
Abraham Tekabo[2]
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
,
Canada
Area served
Ontario
Divisions6ixBuzz Entertainment
Subsidiaries
  • 6ixBuzzTV
  • 6ixAngels
  • NOTB
  • KnowYork
  • EuroBuzz
  • BuzzTime
Website6ix.buzz

6ixBuzzTV Ltd., doing business as 6ixBuzz (pronounced six-buzz), is a Canadian media platform and record company based in Toronto, Ontario.[3] Founded in 2017 by Sarman Esagholian and Abraham Tekabo, the company provides entertainment stories, internet memes, and hip-hop music related content on its website and Instagram profile.[4][5]

6ixBuzz is most known for sharing user-generated content,[6] but has been criticized for misinformation[7] and perpetuating racial stereotypes, particularly anti-Asian hate.[8][9]

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.[10] 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.[11] As 6ixBuzz grew to over a million followers on Instagram, its account has become known for its ability to go viral, encouraging erratic stunts,[10][12][13] bullying,[7] and racial divide.[8] Incumbent Ontario premier Doug Ford has been noted for his interactions with the company.

6ixBuzz was noted by The Varsity as introducing Toronto Caribbean slang to a global audience in an article published on March 8, 2020.[14]

6ixBuzz was also involved with working with Ryerson University film student Angelica Milash, producing music videos on behalf of the company and their platform.[15]

In January 2021, the company launched a re-faced website and a mobile app in an attempt to get more media coverage.[16]

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.[6] The post was eventually removed from the account on April 2, 2020.[17]

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.[18]

Notable people[]

6ixBuzz has featured many real-life personas and characters. Chromazz aka Janessa Melina Mendez, a Toronto-based rapper;[19] and Marcella Zoia, 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.[20]

Toronto Debby, whose real name was Alexis Matos, was a popular 6ixBuzz character. Matos died November 2, 2021 following an overdose of Fentanyl.[21]

6ixBuzz Entertainment[]

6ixBuzz Entertainment
Parent companyWarner Music Group
Founded2018
FounderSarman Esagholian and Abraham 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.[22] 6ixUpsideDown was released on October 19, 2018 and featured Pressa, Yung Tory, Big Lean, and Safe amongst other Toronto artists.[23] It peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 on November 3, 2018 and remained on the charts for 1 week.[24][25] It contained production from artists exclusively from Toronto too, including the likes of Jmak, Jonah Zed, Pro Logic and more.

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.[26] The record featured the last work of Bvlly and Why-S before their deaths on December 24, 2019.[27] Jmak was listed as the executive producer of the album, contributing to the production for the majority of the album.

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.[28][29] 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.[30] 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.[31] Other artist including 88Glam, Top5 and French also made an appearance on the album.[32] The album was officially released in June 11, 2021.[33]

Releases[]

Year Title Chart Position
2018 6ixUpsideDown Canadian Albums Chart (Billboard) 87[24]
2019 NorthernSound - -
2021 Canada's Most Wanted[30] - -

References[]

  1. ^ "Federal Corporation Information - 1062527-2 - Online Filing Centre - Corporations Canada - Corporations - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada". www.ic.gc.ca.
  2. ^ Jankowski, Nichole (August 17, 2021). "The Secret Life of 6ixBuzz". Toronto Life. 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. ^ Weekes, Jabbari (July 12, 2018). "The Rise of 6ixBuzz TV From Wasteman Memes to Toronto's Hip-Hop Centre".
  5. ^ "6ixBuzz Features Some of Toronto's Best on New Project NorthernSound". Grimelight.blog. December 20, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "6ixbuzz coronavirus coverage is doing harm, but so is the lack of diversity in traditional media". thestar.com. February 5, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Wang, Sheila (31 January 2020). "Business down at Wuhan Noodle restaurant in Markham amid racism, coronavirus fear". thestar.com. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  8. ^ a b Mark Do, Eric; Quon, Alexander. "As coronavirus dominates headlines, xenophobic and insensitive social media posts go viral". Global News. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  9. ^ Robertson, Becky. "Markham restaurant says they've lost customers because of coronavirus fears". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  10. ^ a b Weekes, Jabbari (11 July 2018). "The Rise of 6ixBuzz TV From Wasteman Memes to Toronto's Hip-Hop Centre". Vice. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. ^ Paige-Wilkinson, Raven (2019). "Diaspora's Dialect: Cultural Exchange and the Transformation of Jamaican Patois in the Greater Toronto Area" (PDF). Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Freeman, Joshua (26 February 2018). "TTC investigating video of apparent stunt on subway train". Toronto. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Opinion: The revolution of Toronto slang". March 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Rye film student is making waves in Toronto's film industry". The Eyeopener. 5 February 2020.
  16. ^ "More than memes: The growth of 6ixBuzz from social media to music | Curated". dailyhive.com.
  17. ^ "Family says stock photo spreads stereotypes - Video - CityNews Toronto". toronto.citynews.ca.
  18. ^ "As coronavirus dominates headlines, xenophobic and insensitive social media posts go viral". Global News.
  19. ^ Bain, Ellissa (28 November 2020). "Twitter users react as Chromazz drops Megan Thee Stallion diss track – listen here!". HITC. HITC. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "'Chair Girl' fined $2,000, given 2 years' probation, community service | CBC News".
  21. ^ "Rumours Swirl That Toronto Instagram Personality Debby Has Passed Away". Complex.
  22. ^ "6ixbuzz". Billboard.
  23. ^ "6IXBUZZ - 6IXUPSIDEDOWN Canadian iTunes Chart". iTunes Charts. December 31, 2019.
  24. ^ a b "6ixbuzz". Billboard.
  25. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard.
  26. ^ Abul-Basit, Dagana (December 25, 2019). "Horrific as 2 Canadian rappers Bvlly and Why-S shot dead just a few hours apart". Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  27. ^ "6ixBuzz features some of Toronto's best on NorthernSound". HipHopCanada. December 13, 2019.
  28. ^ "KILLY & Houdini Connect for Splashy New Single "VV's"". Complex.
  29. ^ "Hip Hop: KILLY x Houdini – "VV's" video premiere, two of Canada's brightest young talents". April 10, 2020.
  30. ^ a b "Toronto's Houdini and Pressa Collide on "Mansion" | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca.
  31. ^ "Smiley and LB Spiffy Link for the First Time on "Name Brand"". Complex.
  32. ^ "88GLAM Reps Toronto From "East to West" On Their Latest Single". HYPEBEAST. November 10, 2020.
  33. ^ "6ixbuzz Highlights the Finest Out of the Cold North on "Canada's Most Wanted"".

Sources[]

  • Wilkinson, Raven-Paige (2019). Diaspora's Dialect (PDF). Cultural Exchange and the Transformation of Jamaican Patois in the Greater Toronto Area, PHD Diss., Carleton University. Retrieved 31 December 2019.

External links[]

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