The Music Edition
Hamilton sounds good for a reason. Thanks to the incredible musical talent and hustle of the local industry, our city is forged in music. The 2026 edition of Let Me Show You turns the camera on the artists and music-scene fixtures that make the city one of Canada’s great music destinations. See the full Let Me Show You series
Buddah Abusah
Hamilton-born and raised rapper, songwriter, audio engineer, and producer Elijah Grant, aka Buddah Abusah, has been carving out his own lane in Canadian hip-hop for more than a decade. Blending thoughtful lyricism with hip-hop, lo-fi and soul influences, his music reflects his self-described “modern day hippie” persona, embracing and uplifting collaboration. He’s been a fixture in Hamilton’s music scene for years with regular appearances at local festivals and venues. He continues to champion the city he loves to call home while bringing his authentic sound to audiences beyond its borders.
“If you’re not from here, you may not fully understand it at first. It’s a city that just has so much to give. It’s just a beautiful place. The Hamilton music community is fire. It’s booming and growing. And the only way that we can get to where we all want to get to as a collective is belief, and having that faith to pull everybody up and give each other the knowledge and wisdom that we need to make this a real thing in Hamilton.”
More from the Music Edition
New for the 2026 series. Meet more of the artists who make Hamilton sound good.
The Redhill Valleys
The three-piece Americana alt-country group is forged in Hamilton, with a name that pays homage to their hometown. Made up of Chelsea McWilliams (bass/vocals), Tim Allard (lead guitar/vocals) and Matt Soliveri (drums), the band is loved for its powerful harmonies and rootsy guitar licks. In this episode of Let Me Show You, two thirds of the group, Chelsea and Tim, share their fave spots in the city and explore how deep Hamilton’s music roots run.
“Pick a place in Canada that’s more music-y than Hamilton. I’m not sure that you could. It almost feels like all roads lead back to Hamilton in the national music scene. The Hamilton music community is much more all-encompassing than the average person may be aware. I don’t know anywhere else in the country where you’re going to find as many songwriters, people working in the recording business, and backline companies. It’s all here. That’s Hamilton to me. Ground up from songwriting to touring professionals. We’re here.”
Terra Lightfoot
Terra Lightfoot is a Hamilton-based singer, songwriter and rock guitarist whose roots have grown deep in the city’s music scene. She came up playing in bands here, learned her craft here, and credits the local legends who mentored her along the way for shaping the artist she is today. Now signed to Hamilton’s own Sonic Unyon, Terra is part of a generation of homegrown talent that’s helped put the city on the map as a serious music destination. In this episode, she talks about the venues that raised her, the mentors who showed her the way, and shares a few of her favourite Hamilton hidden gems.
“I moved to Hamilton, and at that point it was like independence, freedom. That’s where I started cutting my teeth as a songwriter. I just kept working, working, working, playing in bands, and lucky to be mentored by so many wonderful Hamiltonians along the way. Even if we don’t have a home here, when we come back to Hamilton, we feel like ourselves again.”
More Music Stories from the Series
The Music Edition pulls in two of the original Let Me Show You characters whose stories sit at the heart of Hamilton’s music scene.
Mark Furukawa
For over 30 years, Mark has been a fixture of Hamilton’s music scene through his independent record store, Dr. Disc Hamilton. Located downtown, the shop is more than a place to buy vinyl. It’s a meeting place for music lovers and artists, and Mark credits the city’s creative and collaborative spirit for keeping him going.
Lisa La Rocca
Lisa is a driving force behind some of Hamilton’s biggest music events as Director of Operations at Sonic Unyon, including the three-day blockbuster festival, Supercrawl. She champions the city’s experimental live music scene and its growing reputation as a magnet for creatives and audiences alike.
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