In the heart of the ACE District, award winning music is being produced. Young hip-hop and R&B artists are learning about the music industry and working with producers for the first time to launch their careers. People from across Ottawa are coming together to mend relationships, celebrate their successes and nurture their vibrant community. It’s all happening underground at Luigi “City” Fidelia’s recording studio House of Ensemble on Dalhousie Street in Downtown Ottawa.
It all got started because a friend of City Fidelia’s recognized the important music and community work Luigi was doing. He saw a future where City Fidelia could grow that impact and nurture other artists in his own space. It was an idea that stuck and it led to City Fidelia’s most memorable moment in the ACE District, which he shares in the video below.
Creating a Place for Hip-Hop and R&B in Ottawa
Raised in the ACE District, Luigi knew he wanted to build his studio in downtown Ottawa. Not only is it easy to access for local and visiting artists, but it offers a neutral space for members of Ottawa’s hip-hop and R&B community to gather.
While Ottawa may not be widely known for hip-hop and R&B, House of Ensemble is changing that perception, and people are noticing. Every year, Luigi’s mentorship program, FRMULA, takes six emerging hip-hop and R&B artists to New York where they get advice from music producers and record labels. Luigi has been recognized by the City of Ottawa for his work and recently he remixed a song for Lays commercial that went viral.
And there is more great work coming up for City Fidelia. He will be releasing a new album later this year and is working on a new tool to help self-managed artists promote their work.
Arts and culture thrive in downtown Ottawa’s ACE District with the support of artists like City Fidelia. Check it out for yourself. Explore the ACE District on the map, or sign up for the newsletter to learn more about what is happening.
