dj5rivers

Co-Founder - Pineapple Express Media (PEMedia) and Auxtale Gravy Music Group (ATGMG)

dj5rivers, also known as Nivie Singh, is a non-binary, queerdo settler displaced from the land of five rivers (5aab). They are an entrepreneur, film producer, DJ, community builder, and spoken word poet based in Tkaronto. dj5rivers is the co-founder of Aux Tale Gravy Music Group (ATG), a Toronto-based record label dedicated to shifting culture and amplifying world music through cross-cultural collaboration and entrepreneurial innovation. At ATG, they oversee the production and marketing of impactful works that transform traditional sounds like dhol and dancehall percussion into forward-thinking music that celebrates cultural storytelling. dj5rivers also contributes to Pineapple Express Media (PEMedia), where they focus on rights management, music publishing, and frameworks promoting artist autonomy. Their work in both roles highlights a commitment to amplifying music while preserving its cultural integrity. With over 10 years of experience, dj5rivers has worked with major and independent labels across Canada. Their roles have included A&R for The Certified Bad Guys at Nycesound Production Inc., Label Manager for Ishkōdé Records with Universal Music Canada, Marketing Manager at Leaf Music Inc., and Operations Director for CKDU 88.1FM. They have developed an intimate understanding of music distribution, digital marketing, and artist development, working with both emerging and established artists. DJ5rivers' dedication extends beyond the music industry into community-building and advocacy. They have served on the boards of organizations like Thunder Pride, Halifax Pride, Obey Convention (now Everyseeker), StART Festival, and Nocturne Halifax while collaborating with groups like Youth Art Connection and Unity Charity. Their work is deeply rooted in anti-capitalist, anti-racist frameworks, reimagining governance models and redistributing resources to support marginalized and historically oppressed groups. Their creative ventures include producing and directing the docuseries Issa Scotian Ting’ with Pineapple Express Media (currently in post-production). dj5rivers’ vision is to bridge communities, abilities, and skill sets, empowering others through storytelling, artistry, and activism.

"Whatchu know about me? Nitty Gritty Nivie, 5rivers in my blood but Tarono's in my psyche"

PRESS

Toronto musician breaking barriers for the Panjabi queer community one beat at a time

“PEMedia highlights the interconnectedness of Indian, Jamaica and Caribbean cultures and the influence of that connection on music genres gaining commercial viability. Through colonization our cultures met and created electrifying music,” co-founder Nivie Singh told Now Toronto.
PEMedia was founded in 2020 by Singh and Kayla Borden to provide spaces for the South Asian and Caribbean diaspora in Canadian and European contexts through events and to help multicultural artists connect with music buyers, sellers, and executives.

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We’ve got spirit, yes we do; we’ve got spirit, up to two! Halifax Pride takes on the complex Two-Spirit identity.

The lecture, one in a series of talks titled Queer Perspectives, is a lunchtime learning opportunity being held at City Hall. It's being moderated by new Halifax resident Nivie Singh, who wants to structure the lecture as more of a conversation. "I'm really interested in community and having dialogue," they say. "I think that communities need to engage in that conversation." Originally from Ontario, Singh is cautious about their place in this conversation. "I want to be mindful to the fact that I am a new community member," they say. Indigenous-settler reconciliation is a hot topic right now, and Singh says this talk helps meet that goal—if only by a small step. "There's a lot of work that goes into reconciliation," they admit. "I think this is, on a very surface level, opening up that conversation and making space for bridges to be made in order to get to reconciliation. I think this is a first step to start to make that bridge."
JULY 20, 2017

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New Declaration gives public voice to climate targets and justice

“We recognize that the work towards reduced emissions and climate justice must centre the rights of Indigenous Peoples and follow treaty rights and responsibilities under the Peace and Friendship Treaties here in Mi'kma'ki. Representing the student community, we feel that by moving towards a low-carbon economy, Nova Scotia can provide a social and economic, environmentally just and equitable way of life.”
August 30, 2018

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November 4 – Take Back the Night Thunder Bay

A number of community partners and speakers will be present to share stories and services. Speakers will include: Jayal Chung (Honouring Our Stories Coordinator), Nivie Dhami (Pride Central Coordinator), Joy Wakefield (Legal Aid Ontario Staff Lawyer), Farah Ahmed (Racialized Young Professionals), Sharon Johnson (Full Moon Memory Walk), and Sherrie-Lee Petrie (Gender Issues Centre coordinator). There will be music by Outside the Lines.
September 2017

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Publicly Shaming a Musician for Calling a Composition by Its Name

This article is a concrete example of the ways that Nivie continues to challenge white supremacy in public facing, community arts spaces. We Are Missing HFX continues its work today, for more check out their social media.

Biased Article here

SAMALAINGIK
(homosexual)

Documentary highlighting Nivie Singh's experience as Pride Central Coordinator for the Lakehead University Student Union. Filmed by En Tze April 2016 Thunder Bay, Ontario

dj5rivers is a DJ and spoken word poet who has performed on stages across Turtle Island, showcasing at festivals such as OBEY Festival, Halifax Pride, Jwani4Eva Toronto, Lulaworld Festival, Panjabi Folk Dub Sessions & All The Flowers Open Mic. Opening for large acts like Ciel, Bambii and Sikh Knowledge, most recently joining him at his monthly Panjabi Folk Dub Sessions.

dj5rivers style blends traditional Hip Hop, old school Reggae & Panjabi folk sounds, meshing political undertones with underground sound. They pull inspiration from M.I.A, Lee Scratch Perry, Bjork and Panjabi MC. They are currently working on a poetry album to be released in Q4 2025.

 dj5rivers aka Nivie Singh is a multi-media digital artist and poet, whose work is a narration of their experience as a politically charged, displaced Panjabi Queerdo. They explore the effects of war, capitalism, the patriarchy and our collective participation in oppressive colonial structures as the South Asian diaspora.