A Scarborough construction worker turned singer is putting his city on the map with a viral soulful remix of a popular Drake song, and locals are feeling it.
Earlier this week, Tamir, a crooner known for donning a hardhat while singing in videos, went viral for his Instagram cover of “Somebody Loves Me” by Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR. His freestyle version blends a personal ode to his hometown amongst heartfelt vocals. Garnering almost 500,000 views as of publication and a comment from local talents like Kardinal Offishall and Haviah Mighty, the video has transformed Tamir from a hidden gem into one of Scarborough’s newest names in music.
Tamir describes himself as a life-long creative, diving into all-things-art from visual artistry to live performances. The young talent says he’s about 10 years deep into making music, and hopes to continue sharing his passion with the world.
“My current goals are to make what I love and share it freely with anyone willing to listen,” Tamir said to Now Toronto on Friday. “To create it and give it away fulfills me. Everything else is an added bonus.”
Tamir’s viral moment features a love story from his own life. In the video, he reflects on a past relationship rooted in his 401 East of Morningside Avenue neighbourhood, singing about taking trips on the now-retired Scarborough RT from Kennedy Station to Scarborough Town Centre.
Pointing out his city “where the shooters and stars align,” he flows, he also sent a shout out to American rapper J. Cole who signed to the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League back in 2022.
For Tamir, he says the inspiration to make his own cover of the trendy song came instantly.
“Heard Drake and Party’s song and the opening melody hooked me immediately,” he explained.
“I was obsessed with it, and when I feel that way, I gotta get it out my system and create something. So, out of that love came this freestyle.”
But behind his rising musical status is a grounded story of resilience.
“I was down and out. At my rock bottom,” he shares. “And then I landed that construction job. It took a lot of weight off my shoulders. It allowed me to not have to try making music my primary income generator, which can be very difficult. But it opened me up to feel financially secure and free to create from a place of love and wonder, rather than stress and survival.”
Comments under his Instagram post compliment him to the likes of R&B singer Bryson Tiller, and calling his vocals “smooth like butter.”
Rapper Kardinal Offishall said “THIS CRAZY my bro,” while Haviah Mighty also dropped a comment, saying it’s “GO TIME.”
Other locals are also loving the remix.
“Get this man out the work force,” one Instagram user wrote.
“I listen to this now over the original,” another said.
But Tamir says what’s moved him most since going viral isn’t the numbers, it’s the community’s reaction, which he said has been “beyond his wildest expectations.”
“Getting any opportunity to do what you love and to be recognized and to be celebrated by the place that you’re from, by the place that you champion, by the place that you see so much love, and a place that you’ve seen overlooked and mistreated and spoken down upon. To get love from that same community, to get love from that same place, it means the absolute world,” Tamir said.
Continuing to break personal engagement records on his social media accounts, Tamir hopes this moment is just the beginning for his career.
“I’d love to connect with artists around the world, collab and use my voice to shed light on this beautiful part of the city. My focus is to just make music that empowers the city and brings us together,” he said.