This past Sunday night marked a historic moment for the Toronto’s music community as artists, producers, and tastemakers gathered for the first-ever Playaz Ball Awards, a celebration dedicated to honouring Toronto legends and rising stars shaping the sound of the Ontario music scene.

Among the evening’s standout moments was R.O.Z taking home the award for Global Sound (Afrobeats), a well-deserved recognition of his years of consistency, innovation, and cultural impact through music.

The Awards show shone a spotlight on local talent across the GTA, featuring live performances and appearances from artists who represent the city’s heartbeat. The event hosted by Toronto Top 6ix was a night built for the culture and designed to honour those who’ve paved the way in Toronto’s music scene, while giving flowers to the new generation carrying the torch.

For R.O.Z, who continues to blend Afrobeats, Hip Hop, and global sounds, winning this award in his home city was a powerful full-circle moment. This was both a personal and cultural win for him as it highlights the growing recognition of Afro-Canadian voices in shaping the city’s global sound and reaffirms EMB’s mission to push boundaries, connect continents, and amplify BIPOC artists worldwide.