DARKSPARK ANNOUNCES THE VERSIONS SOUNDTRACK: 27 ARTISTS PUTTING PURPOSE BACK INTO POP

Toronto, ON (October 30, 2024)Award-winning Canadian non-profit Darkspark is set to release the Versions Soundtrack, featuring 27 Anthems for Change from a global collective of emerging artists, supported by established songwriters,  music legends, and A-list producers — an awe-inspiring collaboration that spanned continents. 

Instead of traditional singles, Darkspark will release three “Doubles” starting November 18 in the weeks  leading up to the full soundtrack. Each Double will contain two “versions” created from the same shared  beat, highlighting unique voices and perspectives from artists across the globe. These Doubles will be  released weekly, ahead of the full soundtrack launch on December 11. 

VERSIONS brought together 27 emerging artists from around the world, transforming them from  strangers into a tight-knit family through an epic journey of learning and self-discovery. United by a  shared mission to use their platforms for meaningful change, VERSIONS artists spent a year  immersed in a global arts fellowship that provided holistic mentorship, wellness support, and skill-building  in arts and leadership – culminating in each artist leading powerful social impact projects within their  communities. “The VERSIONS Project brought together so many different people, artists, brands,  educators and youth. Collaborations were happening in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and the end  product is something truly unique.” said co-founder D’Ari Lisle. 

Participating artists from Canada and the US joined with peers from across Africa and the Caribbean,  forming a diverse brain-trust that met regularly to share ideas and perspectives. Together, they took a  deep dive into the history of systemic challenges facing their communities, and emerged motivated to  dismantle them. From this deep intercultural exchange came their reflection – The Versions  Soundtrack—a dynamic mix of purpose-driven music and cultural storytelling. A powerful conversation in  song.  

Guided by celebrity artist mentors like Sean Paul, and collaborating with A-list producers (behind hits for  Drake, Shaggy and Smino), each artist crafted their own song over shared “riddims”. Drawing inspiration  from the Jamaican tradition of versioning—where multiple artists create songs over the same beat— Fellows added their unique voices to a practice that has long empowered communities and laid the  foundation for hip-hop. 

About Darkspark  

Darkspark is an award-winning Canadian not-for-profit powered by a collective of recording artists,  filmmakers, and thought leaders. The organization harnesses the power of pop culture to drive social  change, working with youth globally to help address pressing social issues through songwriting,