There’s a certain kind of moment that every emerging artist is chasing—the one where your music moves beyond your circle, beyond your city, and lands somewhere bigger. The kind of visibility that connects you to industry voices who can amplify it, and listeners who get it. That’s exactly the space Samsung True North Tunes is trying to build.
The 2026 music program for emerging artists aims to highlight original music across all genres through the vehicle of a competition that will announce the final winning acts later this summer. But Samsung True North Tunes is not just a one-off contest; it is truly positioned as an artist-first music platform designed to tap into the depth of Canada’s emerging music scene—a scene that’s constantly evolving, wildly diverse, and often under-represented on a worldwide stage. At its core, Samsung True North Tunes is about discovery and giving new artists a place to share original music, connect with audiences across the country, and move their careers forward in a meaningful way.
Through submissions, expert reviews, showcases, and partner amplification, Samsung True North Tunes is set to offer up more than visibility for the artists, but also exclusive experiences and perks to help them build and grow their brands. Ready to take your music to the next level? Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung True North Tunes, from submission to the announcement of the final winning acts later this summer.
Here’s how the Samsung True North Tunes program is set up
If you’re a musician anywhere in Canada, get ready to step into a process that’s designed to elevate both sound and story through mentorship and other exciting opportunities. The entry point is simple: submit an original track before Friday, May 15, 2026 (original music submissions can be shared in the form of a URL link or uploaded file). You will also be asked to share a little about yourself, or your band. The contest is open to all legal residents who are 19 years of age or older and not already signed to a music label and/or publisher (either as an individual artist or as a member of a band).
Submissions are completely free.
The submission phase is really all about taking that first step toward a larger audience. From there, the platform evolves in stages, and selected entries will move through both judging and public voting stages. Artists who advance will gain access to mentorship, studio recording time, and live performance opportunities, including a series of live sessions and events at Collective Arts and a lot more.
On Monday, June 15, 2026, the top 100 artists that are selected and curated by judges will be announced. Those selected artists will all be featured and celebrated across the platform as they create content, share their journeys, tap into a broader conversation, and expand their reach in real time.
Next? On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the top 20 artists will be announced. This is where audience participation comes into play, with fans across the country stepping in to support their favourites and help push them forward. That’s right: music lovers across the country will have the chance to vote for their favourite artists among the top 20 and help them advance to the final round as they build momentum and visibility.
Finally, following the public voting, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Samsung True North Tunes will announce the final three acts. This is where the platform becomes about celebrating talent. These winning acts will receive custom vinyl records, a Grand Prize Winner trophy, another live performance, a party event, a recording session, special-edition beer, one-on-one mentorship, a big Samsung tech prize pack, and more!
Building something that lasts
A big part of what gives Samsung True North Tunes its weight is the network behind it. Platforms matter—but so do the voices that amplify them.
That’s where Complex Canada comes in. As a key cultural partner, Complex Canada brings its authority across music, style, and youth culture into the mix, helping drive how emerging artists are discovered, amplified, and show up in the conversation. After all we have a proven track record of shaping the zeitgeist through music, as well as style, sports, and art, and connecting emerging talent with our audiences from coast to coast. At the same time, Samsung steps in as a creative enabler, supporting the infrastructure that allows artists to create, share, and connect at scale. Collective Arts Brewing adds another layer of authenticity to the platform, thanks to their longstanding connection to art, music, and community.
It's not just the curated ecosystem: what makes Samsung True North Tunes feel different is its long-term ambition. It’s not positioned as a one-off campaign. Instead, it’s laying the groundwork for a platform that can continue to spotlight Canadian artists, and create ongoing opportunities for discovery.
Because if there’s one thing Canada’s music scene doesn’t lack, it’s talent. And for artists ready to take that next step, the door is open.
Ready to get your name, band, and sound in front of the country? Submissions are live now at truenorthtunesmusic.ca.
