What happens when you become a father the exact same week you start tech rehearsals to play Mufasa? In Episode 2 of TONE, host Aaron Ridge sits down with actor, singer, and performer David D’Lancy Wilson. David currently starred as Mufasa in the Mirvish production of The Lion King in downtown Toronto, and he joins the show to discuss the profound, full-circle moment of welcoming his second child while stepping into the role of the ultimate patriarch.

We dive deep into the vulnerability required to bring real-life emotions to the stage, the power and plight of black fatherhood, and why you should never let anyone put you in a box.

Key Takeaways:

• The Audition Process: How David brought the casting room to tears by drawing on his real experiences as a father.

• Art as Healing: The cathartic experience of performing 8 shows a week and connecting with audiences over grief and legacy.

• Making Lemonade: Overcoming industry rejection, ditching unsupportive agents, and writing yourself into the roles you want.

• The Power of Lateral Networking: Why your peers are your most valuable resource in the creative industry.

Chapters:(00:00) Intro: Welcome to TONE(01:07) Who is David D’Lancy Wilson?(03:32) Becoming a Father & Mufasa Concurrently(06:00) Celebrating Black Excellence on Stage(08:03) The Emotional Reality of the Mufasa Audition(10:24) The Tears on Stage: Navigating Mortality and Fatherhood(20:10) Thoughts on the New Mufasa Movie(27:54) Making Lemonade: Overcoming Industry Rejection(40:27) Top 5: Influential Canadian Tracks & Peers(51:34) Mirror Moment: Affirmations for Creatives(55:17) "They Live in You" Performance

Follow the Guest:

• David D'Lancy Wilson: https://www.instagram.com/daviddlancywilson/

Follow the Host:

• Aaron Ridge: https://www.instagram.com/dopeusmaximus/

Special thanks to Dale for producing, and Radio Forward for putting this together.

Welcome to the premiere episode of TONE! Host Aaron Ridge sits down with the illustrious Scarborough native and multi-faceted creative, Tamir. In this episode, Tamir opens up about a major on-stage mishap during a national broadcast at the Legacy Awards, explains why he believes Toronto is the "richest" music city in the world, and shares his top 5 influential Canadian tracks.Stick around until the end for an exclusive acoustic performance of his unreleased track, "Move Ahead."• The Toronto Sound: Why the city's multiculturalism creates a global music hub.• Making Lemonade: Tamir shares the story of forgetting his lyrics on live TV in front of Canadian legends like Kardinal Offishall and The Rascalz—and the lesson he learned about rest.• Top 5: Shoutouts to Canadian heavyweights like Shawn Desman, Glenn Lewis, and the new wave of artists like 4sante and Faiza.• Mirror Moment: A powerful morning affirmation for creatives.🎙️ Host: Aaron Ridge IG: https://www.instagram.com/dopeusmaximus/🎹 Guest: Tamir IG: https://www.instagram.com/cleartamir/#TONEPodcast #Tamir #TorontoMusic #CanadianHipHop #AaronRidge #ArtistInterview #Scarborough Timestamps00:00 - Intro: Welcome to TONE 01:21 - Who is Tamir? (Scarborough Native & Creative) 04:49 - "One Word": Describing the Toronto Music Scene 06:22 - Why Toronto is a Musical Utopia 11:15 - "Making Lemonade": The Legacy Awards Mishap 16:54 - The Lesson: Why Artists Need Rest 23:14 - Top 5: Influential Canadian Songs (Shawn Desman, Rascalz, etc.) 27:14 - Top 5: Toronto Artists You Need to Watch 34:34 - The History of Black Music Infrastructure in Toronto 41:24 - "Mirror Moment": Affirmations for the Soul 44:39 - Live Performance: "Move Ahead"