R.O.Z and his daughter at sound check. Photo credit: Rebecca La’Rae.
I grew as an individual, as a parent and as a worker in the arts. I was able to open myself up to experiences and jobs that I have never done before, I added so many new credentials and experiences onto my resume, and gained acknowledgment from my peers and higher-ups. On a parenting side, I was able to let go fully (mostly) for the first time. Had my first full night away from my kiddo, and feel like me, in a sense, how I was before having children. Fully involved in what I was doing without being pulled in different directions.
EMB Music Group
EMB Music Group
Building childcare support into live music production
Pilot Project: On-site and off-site childcare support for artists and team members working in live music production.
Project Duration: July – September 2025
Continuing to Implement: Yes. EMB plans to continue implementing this model and are actively exploring additional budgeting strategies and grant opportunities. The value of having caregiving support is clear, as it allows the team to participate fully, contribute at a higher level, and stay engaged in projects that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Resources Shared: Project Field Notes
About EMB Music Group
Location: Toronto, ON
Artistic Discipline: Music
Operating Budget: Less than $100,000
EMB Music Group is a Canadian record label and music company based in Toronto, Ontario, supporting BIPOC talent with a focus on Afrobeats and Hip-Hop. EMB represents a dynamic roster of artists, producers, and creatives. With over 15 years of experience, EMB has played a key role in pioneering Afrobeats in Canada and bridging continents through a partnership with Sony Music West Africa. In 2024, the company earned major recognition with four notable nominations, including a producer Grammy nomination, a Canadian Live Music Awards nomination, and multiple nods from GH Entertainment USA. The label has achieved chart-topping success, including Billboard #1s and platinum credits through collaborations with international artists. As both a label and creative incubator, EMB is committed to cultural excellence, independent growth, and shaping the future of global music.
EMB Music Group’s Level UP! Project
EMB Music Group’s pilot explored how childcare support can be built directly into live music and production environments. The project responded to the reality that long hours, travel, rehearsals, and evening events can make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for parents and caregivers to fully participate in professional music work.
To address this, EMB hired nannies to care for the children of artists and team members for two major shows: Davido at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, which featured three EMB artists as openers, and EMB’s 15th Anniversary Presents: R.O.Z & Friends at the Park Theatre in Winnipeg. The project helped artists and staff with children participate more fully in pre-production, setup, performance, and post-event activities, while also helping to normalize the presence of children and caregiving support in professional music spaces.
Project Highlights:
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- Piloted both on-site and off-site childcare support for artists and team members.
- Covered travel expenses for a nanny to travel to Winnipeg to provide care support.
- Helped reduce stigma around children being present in professional music environments.
- Showed how childcare support can make it possible for artists and workers with caregiving responsibilities to be more fully present and involved.
Resources
EMB Music Group | Project Field Notes
About This Resource EMB Music Group created these Project Field Notes in 2026 to share details about their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project. Their project focused on childcare support for team members and artists so caregivers could fully participate in live...
More Information
For more information about EMB Music Group, visit www.embmusicgroup.com.
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