Nokia Music Connects India


2005 Winners

2005 National Songwriting Competition Regional Winners:

Grand Prize Winner: Kuba, Z95 Vancouver
Runner-up:

KUBA – BIO – 2005 Winner

Kuba is the enigmatic leader of Victoria’s underground dance collective Velvet, one of Canada’s leading pioneers of live organic electronic music. His debut solo record, Ride On, is a natural coming of age for this singer-songwriter and producer, who has shared the stage with the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Nelly Furtado, Parliament and DJ Shadow. With Ride On, Kuba has triumphantly merged the worlds of soul, house and rock ‘n’ roll, all anchored by his unique soaring vocal delivery.

Kuba’s recent showcase at the CMW 2005 Festival was his first ever solo appearance in Toronto, following a triumphant live debut at NewMusicWest 2004. Since winning the West Coast region of the 12th annual National Songwriting Competition, his song Never Meant To Hurt You has been receiving regular rotation on Vancouver’s Z95.3, and has delivered Kuba the title of Grand Prize winner of the nationwide competition.

2005 Regional Finalists & Participating Radio Stations


  • Vancouver – Kuba

  • Toronto – Jeen O’Brien

  • Calgary – Starewell

  • Ottawa – Stone Melodies

  • Edmonton – Shattered Core

  • Montreal – Anthony Zanca/Mark Zanca

  • Saskatoon – Stephen Morari

  • Halifax – Jonathan Landry

  • Regina – Heidi Little

  • Saint John – Jessica Rhaye

  • Winnipeg – Malynda Zacharias

  • St. John’s – Chris Ledrew/Andrew Ledrew