Your Raptors hype videos just got a whole lot more KW
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go.
Okay, so you know how the Raptors are back in the playoffs? Good for them. But here's the *thing* about this region: they've tapped a local for their hype videos, and honestly, it's the kind of quiet, brilliant move that makes you nod your head. They're using music from Tony Ann, a University of Waterloo grad, for their playoff content. That's Kitchener-Waterloo, not Toronto, making waves in the NBA.
### Why This Matters for Us
It's not just a cool little detail. This shows the kind of talent we're producing right here. Tony Ann, who came through the University of Waterloo's music program — yes, we have one, not just engineering, though that's what everyone always assumes — is a pianist and producer whose work is genuinely captivating. He's been doing these incredible instrumental covers and original pieces for a while, building a following. It’s exactly the sort of low-key, high-impact innovation that thrives in our tech-focused but creatively vibrant city. Think about the energy coming out of the Communitech Hub in the old Lang Tannery; it's that same spark, just in a different medium.
* **Local Talent on a National Stage:** It puts one of our own, from the heart of Waterloo's academic core, right into the national spotlight during the playoffs.
* **Beyond Tech:** It reminds people that while we're a tech hub, there's a strong creative and artistic pulse beating here too. It’s not just code and startups; there's real culture.
* **Pride of Place:** For anyone who grew up going to Rangers games at The Aud, who understands that KW has its own distinct flavour, it's a small victory. It's a shout-out that we're more than just a place you drive through on the 401.
This isn't about the Raptors winning or losing, not really. It’s about someone from *here* getting recognized on that stage. It’s about that quiet pride you get when you see a piece of your home, your culture, get its due. For those of us who live and work along the ION LRT line, from Downtown Kitchener to Uptown Waterloo, it’s a moment to feel a little bit of that global connection right in our own backyard.
Anja Baumann-Fong, MiTL Sports Desk, Kitchener-Waterloo.
The morning crew always has the inside scoop — catch them live at mornings.live.