6ixBuzz

6ixBuzz began in 2017 as a meme and parody news profile on Instagram with a focus on showcasing Toronto's underground music scene. In January 2021, the company launched a re-faced website and mobile app. Its founders, Sarman Esagholian and Abraham Tekabo, attribute the success of their online presence to the "lack of voice" of communities surrounding Canadian hip hop culture. As 6ixBuzz grew to over a million followers on Instagram, its account has become known for its virality, encouragement of erratic stunts, bullying, ==Criticism and controversies==

Threats to journalists In 2019, Toronto Life tasked a journalist with interviewing Sarman Esagholian, one of the founders of 6ixBuzz. However, the magazine declined Esagholian's request to keep the founders' identities confidential. The platform has been accused of reinforcing negative stereotypes and xenophobic attitudes toward Sikh Canadians, Indian international students, and the broader South Asian community. Many Brampton residents have criticized the account for contributing to an unfairly negative image of the city. Critics argue that 6ixBuzz's content frequently reinforces anti-South Asian sentiment by promoting narratives that incite xenophobic reactions. The media group also posted videos and photos of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, allegedly perpetuating stereotypes and suggesting people of Chinese and Asian descent were to blame for the COVID-19 pandemic. Promotion of negative personalities 6ixBuzz has been associated with promoting negative content in order to garner views. This has included promotion of controversial figures such as Janessa Melina Mendez, or Chromazz, a Toronto-based rapper; and Marcella Christiana Zoia-Ferreira, dubbed Chair Girl who came to notoriety through 6ixBuzz after a video was posted of her throwing a chair onto the Gardiner Expressway in February 2019. Zoia later pleaded guilty in July 2020 to "Mischief Endangering Life" and received a $2,000 fine, 2 years probation and community service as well as counselling for her drinking problem. The platform regularly poked fun at and exploited a homeless teenager from Toronto called "Debby", real name Alexis Matos, in order to garner views. Many of the videos posted to the platform showed her dealing with mental health issues in public, with people taunting and fighting her. In May 2020, Mustafa the Poet, a songwriter and filmmaker from Toronto, tweeted "6ixBuzz pits communities against each other." ==6ixBuzz Entertainment==

6ixBuzz Entertainment is a Canadian record label and a division of 6ixBuzz. Founded in 2018, the label currently releases compilation albums featuring Canadian hip hop artists, most of them based in Toronto. 6ixUpsideDown was released on October 19, 2018, and featured Pressa, Yung Tory, Big Lean, and Safe amongst other Toronto artists. It peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 on November 3, 2018, and remained on the charts for 1 week. Its second compilation, NorthernSound, was released on December 13, 2019, and including vocal appearances from NorthSideBenji, Puffy L'z, Prime Boys, Pvrx, Archee & French, and more. The record featured the last work of Bvlly and Why-S before their deaths on December 24, 2019. In April 2020, the label announced a joint-venture record deal with Warner Music Canada, coinciding with the release of the single "VV's" featuring Killy and Houdini. This was followed by the single "Mansions" by Pressa and Houdini, which came after the death of Houdini after he was gunned down in May 2020. This was followed by the single "Name Brand" featuring LB Spiffy and Smiley in June. All three singles are said to be on the labels upcoming compilation album ''Canada's Most Wanted''. Other artist including 88Glam, Top5 and French also made an appearance on the album. The album was officially released on June 11, 2021. Releases Awards and nominations ==See also==