Julz Ossom, a cultural custodian and advocate in the global African music sphere, has been a driving force behind the elevation of African music both in Canada and worldwide for over two and a half decades.
Originating from Ghana, West Africa, Julz embarked on his journey in the 1990s, where he served as the entertainment prefect at Akosombo International School and Tema Secondary School. Post-high school, he co-founded Ossmen Records alongside his close friend Kobla Mensah, pioneering a music distribution business that supplied CDs, vinyl singles, and albums to various sound systems in Tema and Accra. Transitioning to radio, Julz earned recognition as a celebrated radio host and presenter at Vibefm 919 before immigrating to Canada in 2003. In 2006, he established Ghanamixtapes.com, a groundbreaking digital platform that revolutionized African mixtape culture globally, acting as a catalyst for promoting established artists and discovering emerging talent and DJs.
Julz’s impact extends beyond the music industry, encompassing business, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship. Notably, he served as an A&R for Akon’s Konvict Music Africa, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Sarkodie’s career.
A passionate advocate for cultural exchange and economic development, Julz has fostered relationships between Canada, South Africa, Ghana, and Caribbean nations, while spearheading community-based initiatives such as the History Of Our Music Education program, aimed at utilizing arts and culture to make a positive impact in neighborhoods across the Greater Toronto Area.
In 2013, Julz founded The African Invasion Movement (AIM), a platform through which he champions African arts and culture globally, empowering music professionals and supporting charitable causes through initiatives like AIM 2 Impact and Clothing By AIM.
He is the driving force behind African Music Week (AMW), a premier event showcasing the billion-dollar African music industry at Canadian Music Week, where he has facilitated groundbreaking collaborations between artists ranging from A-listers like Akon, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy to D-listers like Reggie RockStone, Kizz Daniel, and Manifest.
Julz Introduced Smade the co-founder of Afronation ( biggest african festival in the world) to the Canadian market and various african and major music stakeholders in canada. This led to hosting opportunities for african Canadians at Afronation debut in Detroit, Michigan. Talks are underway to bring Afronation to Canada.
Julz’s influence resonates internationally, evidenced by his significant contributions to Canadian Music Week’s Spotlight on Africa/40th anniversary and collaborations with the Ghanaian government on diaspora investment summits.
His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication continue to shape the landscape of African music and cultural diplomacy worldwide, as demonstrated by his engagements at events like the Music In Africa conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and his ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships between African countries and Canada.