Tamir, a singer known for performing in his work clothes, recently gained widespread attention for his heartfelt Instagram cover of “Somebody Loves Me” by Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR. His remix, which weaves in personal lyrics about his hometown of Scarborough, has racked up nearly 500,000 views and earned praise from Toronto music icons like Kardinal Offishall and Haviah Mighty. The video has turned Tamir from a hidden local talent into one of Scarborough’s rising stars.

A lifelong artist, Tamir says he’s been making music for about a decade, dabbling in everything from visual art to live performance. He views his recent success as a chance to share what he loves most with the world.

“My goal is to create what I love and share it with anyone willing to listen,” he told Now Toronto. “Just creating and putting it out there fills me up. Everything else is a bonus.”

Tamir’s remix tells a personal story, rooted in his own life and Scarborough’s East End. He sings about a past relationship and memories of riding the now-retired Scarborough RT from Kennedy Station to the Town Centre. In one line, he reflects on his hometown “where the shooters and stars align,” giving a nod to rapper J. Cole’s 2022 stint with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

He said the inspiration to reinterpret the track came as soon as he heard it.

“As soon as the melody hit, I was hooked,” Tamir said. “I became obsessed. And when I get like that, I have to create — I needed to get it out of my system. That’s where the freestyle came from.”

But Tamir’s road to this moment hasn’t been easy.

“I was at my lowest,” he shared. “Landing a construction job gave me the stability I needed. It meant I didn’t have to rely on music as my sole income, which can be tough. That freedom allowed me to create from a place of joy, not stress.”

His voice — described by Instagram fans as “smooth like butter” — has drawn comparisons to R&B artist Bryson Tiller. Even established artists are taking note. Kardinal Offishall commented, “THIS CRAZY my bro,” while Haviah Mighty chimed in with, “GO TIME.”

Support from the local community has been overwhelming. One commenter wrote, “Get this man out the workforce,” while another added, “I play this more than the original.”

For Tamir, it’s the community response — not the numbers — that’s meant the most.

“To be seen and celebrated by the place I come from — a place I’ve always loved, but that’s often overlooked — means the absolute world,” he said.

With engagement on his social media continuing to soar, Tamir hopes this moment marks the beginning of a bigger journey.

“I want to collaborate with artists around the world and use my voice to shine a light on this amazing part of the city,” he said. “At the end of the day, my mission is to make music that uplifts Toronto and brings people together.”