Widely regarded as a trailblazing artist and entrepreneur, Vancouver’s Francis Arevalo is both a musician and business professional who is making a significant impact within Canada’s music industry. As the founder of UWIDO, a BIPOC owned, operated, and focused creative management company, Francis has skillfully guided the careers of exceptionally talented Western Canadian BIPOC artists, directly contributing to both their artistic and professional achievements. His work as manager and producer has led to impressive growth and opportunities for his roster of artists including Kimmortal, Dakota Bear, and 2022 JUNO-nominee and SXSW Award-winner, Desirée Dawson. A celebrated Hip-Hop artist in his own right, known for his positive, uplifting lyrics, Francis’ music pays homage to early 2000’s Hip-Hop with layers of modern influences, using his favourite artists as a blueprint for crafting his distinct sound. Francis’ music has been featured throughout Canada on OMNI TV, the YourTV Network, and across popular blogs and leading radio stations. His thought-provoking, motivational, and impactful lyrics cleverly traverse subjects of resilience, community, and mental health advocacy. Fresh off the release of his first single of 2023, “I Can’t Wait”, the multi-talented artist is gearing up to release a brand new single about community and connection titled “Do You” Feat. Desirée Dawson on March 20 2023.
Along with his credits on the track as a songwriter and composer, Francis’ contributions to the song as producer and engineer are credited under the moniker “NUXNAMAN”, an endearing term for accomplishment in Tagalog, often used by his Tita’s (aunts). Co-produced by Shaquille Headley and Yato Noukoussi, the songs’ chorus features a vocal performance from 2022 JUNO-nominee, Desirée Dawson, an artist Francis manages and regularly collaborates with.
About “Do You”:
Highlighting the powers of community, Francis Arevalo’s “Do You” stays true to his sound and positive ethos with a focus on being true to who you are, and the importance of both sharing oneself with, and leaning on, ones’ community. Captivating listeners with his positive and insightful lyrics, energetically delivered with the masterful cadence of many artists he most admires, “Do You” showcases Francis’ creative dexterity in a multitude of ways, including having the rhythm ebb and flow for impact alongside his messages of connection. Reminding listeners that the encouragement and support of community is all around them, Francis utilizes the metaphor of gardening – a concept central to his own life, to point out that “if there ain’t no rain, there ain’t no flowers”, alluding to the fact that even on our hardest days, there are always better moments ahead. Opening with sounds of live piano woven into a lightly electronic soundscape, the track expands to incorporate Francis’ signature horns and rhythmic drum programming, bursting into a dynamic and powerful chorus. An engaging, gentle reminder to be who we are and that we’re not alone, “Do You” is powerfully reassuring and creatively grand.
Five years in the making, “Do You” began at the start of Francis’ production journey and grew to be the song it is today as the artist continuously educated himself and refined his skills. Leaning on his own community for assistance in enhancing his production skillset, the version of “Do You” that exists today is the version he intended to make years ago, an achievement made possible by staying true to who he is as an artist, and reaching out for support when necessary.
Quote:
“Do You” is an anthem empowering us to be ourselves and step into our truths, knowing that there are people in our lives looking out for us. Even when it might not be easy to do so, it is an invitation for community to show up for each other and help each other embrace ourselves fully. It is a reminder to do the work of cultivating our dreams with the people around us, while hoping deeply that good things will come from being ourselves, together”. – Francis Arevalo
Biography:
Francis Arevalo is a Filipino rapper and multi-hyphenate based in Vancouver, BC. Having grown up listening to thoughtful lyricists and developing in the local poetry slam scene, he is a wordsmith weaving together personal storytelling, thoughtful messages, and clever lyricism. As a hip-hop artist, Francis’ main aims are to energize, gather, learn, share and empower. As a producer, his creations are colourful, lush, and hard-hitting, shaped into the right backdrops for his lyricism to shine. He is equally at home performing solo or with his band, from living rooms and coffee shops, to theatres and festival stages; he crafts passionate performances for any venue he is given, shaping his offerings to meet the audience where they’re at.
Off-stage, Francis Arevalo wears various hats. He dedicates himself to mental health advocacy, community gatherings, entrepreneurship, and fellow independent artists. He has been a speaker, facilitator, Creative BC Music Program Coordinator, Blue Crane Agency Operations Lead, and Music BC Board Director; all of these roles and more now inform his work as founder and manager of UWIDO, a company prioritizing support by and for BIPOC artists. After years developing his writing, voice and production, and now being supported by UWIDO, Francis Arevalo is now ready to release his debut LP in April 2023, entitled HEATCHECK!. The first entry into The Sound of Healing trilogy, this album is the sound of his conversations with, and learnings from, his inner child from 2008-2014. The first single “I Can’t Wait” was released February 10, 2023.
Connect with Francis Arevalo:
www.francisarevalo.com
instagram.com/francis.arevalo
youtube.com/francisarevalomusic
tiktok.com/@francisarevalomusic
