Born in the Caribbean and now making moves in Canada, Paula Letang is a ByBlacks.com “Radio Personality of the Year”, host of “All About The Funk”, and founder of the “Toronto Funk & Soul Music Festival”. She also makes music and her latest single, “Giving You More” is available now.
Where are you from originally and how did you grow up?
I was born on the Caribbean island of Dominica – the Commonwealth of Dominica – an English and French-Creole speaking country known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. My family left when I was four years old. However, the culture, and music are still part of my everyday life.
Describe Canada’s culture and music scene. Also, in what ways does it differ from other countries?
Canada is multicultural and Toronto reflects that. There are so many influences blending together – blues, pop, Caribbean, indigenous, latin and many more – each style is respected and celebrated. The community is generally open to collaborating and giving different genres a fair listen. I can’t fully compare it to other countries, but I can say that Toronto’s music scene is definitely vibrant and expressive. Here, you can find almost any genre that you’re looking for.
How did you get your start in radio and what sparked the passion?
Honestly, radio found me. I was presented with an opportunity to promote French-Creole Caribbean music during a prime-time radio slot on community radio. It was something I really couldn’t say no to, even though I had no experience in radio. What started as a leap of faith has become something I genuinely love doing.
Tell us about “All About The Funk”.
All About The Funk came to life after the first radio station I was on changed their format and let all the volunteers go. I was immediately asked to host a show on Met Radio 1280 AM but I took a few months off before returning with a new radio show – All About The Funk. All About The Funk celebrates funk, soul, disco and R&B from the ‘70s, ‘80s and some ‘90s, and today’s artists, in an effort to keep the music of that era alive. It’s my way of preserving the groove.
You also make music yourself. What did you enjoy most about creating your new single, “Give You More” and what is the record about?
I really enjoyed digging a little deeper and adding more to my storytelling by sharing experiences I had when I was younger, as well as things my friends went through – like trying to figure out if a relationship was really what we wanted, while past relationships lingered like unwanted baggage, muddying the waters. I’m not sure how that bubbled to the top of my thought process, but I decided to just go with the flow.
Elaborate on the advantages of being able to create in your own space.
Professional recording studios are amazing, but having a home studio is freeing – it takes away the stress of trying to get things done within a certain timeframe. I can work on melodies and lyrics at my own pace, shape the song’s message and then take it to a professional studio for the final touches.
How did the “Toronto Funk & Soul Music Festival” come about and what are your future plans for it?
When I came back to the airwaves and joined Met Radio, I pitched an idea for a Funk & Soul Music Festival to spotlight Toronto’s soul artists – and within 10 months, the Toronto Funk & Soul Music Festival was born. It’s powered largely by community radio and student volunteers, which comes with challenges. This year may be a little different – more DJ-driven with artists performing over backing tracks – but the goal stays the same: give funk and soul artists a stage.
A lot of artists are looking for ways to be noticed. How has radio been beneficial to you as an artist?
Radio has helped me build strong relationships with fellow radio hosts, DJs and artists who genuinely support what I’m doing, both locally and internationally. It introduced me to music scenes and cultures in different countries all over the world, connecting me with radio hosts, producers, and fellow artists I might never have met otherwise. It’s created opportunities for collaboration and connection. For me, it’s been about community as much as exposure.
Who is in your rotation that we should be on the lookout for?
In rotation are legacy artists like Melba Moore, Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass and Chic – listener favorites who are always spinning along with today’s new artists. While I play many legacy artists, I also co-host a segment called Neo2Soul: The Female Playlist Takeover, with DJ Niceness based out of the UK, highlighting independent female Neo-Soul artists weekly. It’s a real opportunity for listeners to discover new talent because there’s always someone worth paying attention to.
As a radio host, what have you observed about changes in radio over the course of your career?
So much has changed since I started in radio. Back then, if someone missed your show, they missed it – and a show like mine might have been the only one people could catch locally. That all changed with internet radio and podcasting, giving people more ways to tap into the music I play. While traditional terrestrial radio is still the root, millions of stations online are offshoots of that root, where you can find your musical niche, in any part of the world – on your phone, your computer, or any device. I feel like the opportunity to reach new listeners and keep fans is now limitless, which has been a huge benefit for the show and a huge change in how radio is consumed.
What are your thoughts on the current state and future of AI?
I see AI as a tool that can help spark ideas or assist with parts of the creative process, especially for independent artists with limited resources. At the same time, it raises important questions about authorship and ownership. Transparency will be important so listeners can make informed choices and I expect the conversation about AI’s place in the industry will continue to evolve over the next few years.
What moves you outside of music?
I like storytelling. I’m a novice rom-com writer. I also like to write and save lyrics for future songs, create jewellery designs and spend time at cultural events.
Describe your relationship with jewelry.
I got into jewelry because I couldn’t really find handmade pieces I really loved, so I decided to make my own. I spent hours on YouTube learning techniques, started making pieces for family and friends, and eventually, I launched my own brand, Urban Style Essentials, on Etsy. It’s all about giving people something a little more interesting than the conveyor-belt, mass produced pieces you usually see at big chain stores, and I love seeing people enjoy the designs I create.
Tell us something about yourself that most don’t know.
Back in high school, my favorite class was Theatre – I loved improv, and stepping into different characters. I think that’s why I enjoy watching certain Grand Theft Auto live streams. There are so many storylines and characters, and I have a few favorites I always check out. Sometimes they can be so unserious that they even laugh at themselves. I really appreciate the role play and thinking on the spur of the moment, all while keeping the story entertaining.
Lastly, how can one stream or purchase your new single, listen to your radio show, or keep up with you on social media?
Thank you for giving me this opportunity! Giving You More is available for purchase on Bandcamp, Amazon music and other digital platforms. You can listen to Giving You More on Spotify and check out the lyric video on YouTube. All About The Funk airs Saturday nights from 7-9 pm EST on Met Radio at Metradio.ca, and the podcast is available on Mixcloud. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram @paulaletang. I look forward to hearing from your readers and connecting with anyone who checks out my music!
Words + Interview By Tyrone Davis
