Dylan Sinclair is one of Canada’s rising stars. A singer since age four, Sinclair has released three albums to date: Proverb, No Longer In the Suburbs, and FOR THE BOY IN ME, and is fresh off the release of his latest mixtape, Make You Feel. But Sinclair goes beyond the recording studio, too. We caught up with Sinclair on June 5 at SOAR, a sold-out charity event held at Toronto’s Shangri-La that raised funds for Post-Court Pathways at Victim Services Toronto (VST) — the world’s first specialized trauma-informed therapy program for children and youth after testifying against their abusers in criminal court. Now in its second year, SOAR has raised nearly $1.2 million for VST, bringing together a new generation of Toronto’s cultural leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers to redefine what modern philanthropy looks like.
Juno Award-winning Canadian R&B artist Dylan Sinclair headlined the evening, delivering a moving performance dressed head-to-toe in HUGO. We caught up with him ahead of his set to talk about the cause, his mindset, and the intersection of music and style.
Tonight is about more than just performing. What does being part of SOAR and supporting Post-Court Pathways at Victim Services Toronto mean to you?
Being part of SOAR means I’m able to use my platform to help shine a light on work that’s making a real difference in young people’s lives. Knowing that this program will help young survivors access specialized therapy after they testify in court makes it a very easy cause to get behind. And, as someone that’s proud to call Toronto home, it’s inspiring to see a program like this being created right here in my city.
When you’re getting ready for a night like this, what puts you in the right mindset before you step on stage?
Getting into the right mindset is really about keeping things simple. I’ll usually spend some time alone, listen to music, pray, and remind myself why I’m doing this in the first place. I always have a cup of warm pineapple juice for my throat before I go on stage. And then once I’m up there, it’s just about being present and connecting with the people.
Tell us about the look. What drew you to HUGO for tonight?
I was drawn to this HUGO look because of how clean and timeless it feels. I’m also in a denim phase right now, so this felt really authentic to me. You know, reppin’ the Canadian tuxedo.
How do music and style intersect for you?
For me, music and style go hand in hand because they’re both ways of expressing who I am. The music I make comes from a place of honesty, and I approach style the exact same way. What I wear can affect how I carry myself, and the energy I’m creating in the studio often shapes how I want to express myself visually.
You are about to perform for a room full of people supporting an important cause. What energy or feeling do you hope people leave with after your set?
The feeling I hope people leave with after my set is connection and empowerment. Whether that’s to the music, to each other, or to the reason we’re all here tonight. If someone walks away feeling inspired, uplifted, or even just a little more hopeful than when they arrived, then I’ve done my job.
FEATURE IMAGE BY JOHN-LOUIE DAGSAAN.
