Canadian vocalist Nevon Sinclair has passed away.<\/p>\n
The Toronto singer, vocal producer and vocal coach\u2019s death was confirmed to Billboard Canada yesterday evening (April 14) by Jermayne Clayton, artist manager and vice-chair of government and community relations at Music Managers Forum Canada. Sinclair\u2019s passing was unexpected, while he was abroad in Thailand. <\/p>\n
Sinclair was an active mentor in the city, providing intentional vocal development, vocal arrangement and coaching sessions to Canadian artists like Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, TheHonestGuy, Savannah R\u00e9, Loony, Dylan Sinclair and more. <\/p>\n
In the 2010s, he launched The Vocal Alchemist<\/a>, a hub to develop his services, in what he called \u201cthe home of intentional sound.\u201d Nevon Sinclair built up a roster of talent over the past decade, helping them elevate their vocal potential. <\/p>\n Notably, he worked with Caesar on the Toronto singer\u2019s breakout debut album, Freudian, in 2017. He provided coaching, background vocals, arrangement recording and tour support on the project. \u201cBest Part,\u201d a collaboration with H.E.R., went on to win best R&B performance at the 2019 Grammys. On the charts, Freudian peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.<\/p>\n One of Sinclair’s biggest projects was working on the vocal performance and arrangements of Loony’s 2021 hit “Raw,” the Scarborough-born R&B singer’s biggest hit to date. In addition, he assisted with vocal coaching and background vocal arrangements for the singer’s other work. “Raw” went on to be sampled by 21 Savage, Metro Boomin’ and Burna Boy on 2024’s “Just Like Me,” which debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. <\/p>\n “He was the best vocal arranger I know. Anytime I needed something to feel special or stand out, I called Nev,” producer and engineer Akeel Henry tells Billboard Canada. Of Sinclair’s involvement on “Raw,” Henry shares: “[Sinclair is] on the chorus in a call and response with her, and that moment is what made the song. Years later, that same section with his voice was sampled by Metro Boomin, 21 Savage and Burna Boy. That was Nev. He made songs feel better.” <\/p>\n Scarborough native Savannah R\u00e9, whom Sinclair provided vocal development and coaching services along with background vocal arrangements and recordings, says he was “the first person who really helped me feel confident in my own voice, confident in who I am as an artist.”<\/p>\n She continues: “He helped me understand how to use my voice, how to trust it, and how to stand in it fully. This loss is something that will be deeply felt, I think, for the rest of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow artist Dylan Sinclair \u2014 no relation to Nevon \u2014 was coached by the vocalist as they often worked together ahead of the Toronto R&B singer-songwriter’s live performances. He calls Nevon, “more than a vocal wizard. This dude gave his life to educating and elevating those around him. Thank you for your humble spirit and everything you\u2019ve contributed to our city. Rest in power.”<\/p>\n A noted trailblazer in the Canadian music community, many of his colleagues who worked behind-the-scenes with Sinclair are grappling with his loss.<\/p>\n “Nevon\u2019s identity is all over Canadian music history,” producer Jordon Manswell tells Billboard Canada. “His absence will be felt in the same way. He\u2019s helped so many of us in ways we may not even understand yet.” <\/p>\n Canadian manager, producer and close Daniel Caesar collaborator Jordan Evans echoes a similar sentiment: \u201cNevon was a beautiful person and an incredible talent. He had a rare gift for bringing out the best in everyone he worked with, and he filled every room with his warmth and energy. His contributions to Canadian R&B were immense, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.” <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Toronto-based producer Matthew Burnett, known for helming hits for artists like Drake and Jessie Reyez and also a producer\/manager for Caesar, calls Sinclair “a true unsung hero in this city who always understood the assignment.”<\/p>\n “Nevon Sinclair was one of one,” Burnett says. “He was part of my foundation early in my career as the go-to for all things vocals and always delivered. He was a quiet, beautiful soul with an impeccable sense of humour who was given a gift from God, which he made sure to share by impacting both the gospel community and the music industry at large. It was this sensitivity and understanding of both worlds that made him the perfect person for us to collaborate with on Freudian and so many other projects. His legacy will live on forever both tangibly through the works he touched but also through the impact he had in the hearts of many.\u201d <\/p>\n