Rawmny Wildcat Says Toronto’s Diversity Helps Newcomers Feel Less Alone

As Toronto prepares for one of its biggest cultural weekends of the summer, Ethiopian-Canadian artist Rawmny Wildcat is celebrating what he considers one of the city’s greatest strengths: the ability of people from around the world to find community.

Speaking exclusively with WorldWide Entertainment TV, the Toronto-based hip-hop and R&B artist reflected on the cultural events, neighbourhoods and communities that help newcomers feel represented in the city.

“We got it good out here,” Rawmny said. “There’s an event for everybody.”

The conversation arrives as Caribbean Carnival weekend—widely known as Caribana—puts Toronto’s Caribbean culture on international display. While Rawmny’s own story is rooted in Ethiopia, his observations speak to the wider collection of cultures that have shaped the identity of the 6ix.

“We have our African neighbourhoods, our Ethiopian neighbourhoods as well,” he explained. “You can get a taste of whatever you need, and you won’t feel alone.”

Carrying Ethiopia into Toronto

Born in Addis Ababa, Rawmny Wildcat—pronounced “Raw Money Wildcat”—later relocated with his family to Montreal before establishing himself in Toronto.

His musical identity draws from traditional Ethiopian sounds, soul, Motown, hip-hop and R&B. That combination reflects an artist who has spent much of his life moving between cultures without completely abandoning either side of himself.

During his WWETV interview, Rawmny discussed the complicated experience of being viewed as Ethiopian in Canada while sometimes being perceived as Canadian when he returned to Ethiopia.

 

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That duality became an important part of his album Habeshinated, a project built around cultural pride, displacement and belonging. After approximately 18 years away, Rawmny returned to Addis Ababa, performed two sold-out shows and reconnected with the country’s evolving music scene.

The experience helped him transform what could have been an identity conflict into a creative advantage.

His single “Manew”—an Amharic expression meaning “Who is it?”—serves as both an introduction and a declaration of identity. The song blends hip-hop, soul and East African influences while recognizing the musical and cultural forefathers who created opportunities for later generations.

Both “Manew” and Habeshinated are available now, according to recent coverage of the project.

Toronto’s diversity beyond the slogan

Toronto regularly promotes itself as one of the world’s most multicultural cities. For Rawmny, however, diversity becomes meaningful when people can experience their culture in everyday life—not merely see it used in the city’s advertising.

Cultural neighbourhoods, restaurants, festivals and community gatherings can give newcomers something familiar while they adjust to an unfamiliar country.

“Toronto is the best place to be, especially if you’re a newcomer to the country,” Rawmny said.

His comments also raise a larger question: Does Toronto’s music industry invest in its culturally diverse artists as strongly as the city celebrates diversity publicly?

African, Caribbean and other diaspora communities have played a significant role in shaping Toronto’s contemporary sound. Nevertheless, many independent artists still face challenges obtaining industry support, media attention and access to larger platforms.

Rawmny has responded by taking greater control of his career. Through Wildvision Media, he oversees elements of his own production and marketing while building a catalogue rooted in cultural authenticity.

His independent history stretches back to Montreal radio, where he developed relationships with local DJs and called into K103FM to freestyle over the telephone. His Injera Music project later produced “Clap Your Hands,” which accumulated more than one million views, according to Cashbox Canada.

A city shaped by many communities

Caribana weekend provides a powerful reminder of what cultural preservation can contribute to Toronto. Caribbean culture takes centre stage through music, costumes, food and generations of community tradition.

Rawmny Wildcat’s perspective expands that celebration into a broader appreciation of the African, Ethiopian and global communities that also call Toronto home.

The cultures may have different histories, but their presence collectively gives the city its international identity.

For newcomers, that representation can make the difference between merely living in Toronto and feeling that they belong there.

Watch Rawmny Wildcat discuss Toronto’s diversity and cultural communities in this WorldWide Entertainment TV exclusive.

Do you believe Toronto properly represents and invests in all the cultures that make up the city?