Mississauga, ON – May 21, 2026
“Be Somebody Special” by Mississauga-based pop-folk recording artist, Neddy, is announced as the 2026 Sauga’s Song of the Year Contest!
The contest celebrates original music that captures the experiences, hopes, and dreams of Mississauga artists and is presented by Mississauga Arts Council (MAC), Metalworks Studios, SoundsUnite Canada, with media partner Mississauga Music.
Neddy wrote this song during a challenging period in his life, drawing inspiration from a passage in the Bible about Jesus and the fig tree. Through this song, he hopes to encourage listeners to believe in themselves, embrace hard work, and not allow others to set the limits of their potential. The song is meant for anyone in need of hope, motivation, and a reason to keep moving forward.
“Winning the contest was incredibly motivating,” says Neddy, 2026 Sauga’s Song of the Year Winner, “Being recognized meant a lot, and I hope it inspires others to keep chasing their goals, no matter the field. There’s so much talent in our city, and we must continue to shine a light on all of it.
“Congratulations to Neddy for his winning song, Be Somebody Special,” says Gil Moore, Founder of Metalworks Studios and SoundsUnite Canada. “The Sauga’s Song of the Year contest provides a special platform for Mississauga musicians to see their creative vision come to life. We’re proud of all entrants and honoured to support this year’s winner on his musical path with a professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered track.”
Jurors Chris Crerar, Studio Manager and Mastering Engineer at Metalworks Studios; Tennyson King, an award-winning nomadic folk musician; and Ṣẹwà, an Afrobeat/soul singer-songwriter and producer, unanimously agreed that Be Somebody Special stood out for its catchy structure and the compelling story behind its lyrics.
“Neddy’s journey of overcoming adversity, paired with his dedication to creating music that’s rooted in empathy and empowerment, is meaningful and timely,” says Mike Douglas, Executive Director of Mississauga Arts Council. “Congratulations, Neddy—we invite everyone to listen to this track, share it with friends and family, and follow his evolving career.”
“Be Somebody Special” by Neddy is now available on all streaming platforms. You can listen to the song at: hypeddit.com/neddy/besomebodyspecial
About Neddy
Neddy is a Mississauga-based pop-folk recording artist, blending intimate storytelling with modern beats. Since 2016, Neddy has released 76 songs across major streaming platforms, reaching over 3 million streams in 2025. He’s earned nominations for MARTY and Mississauga Music Awards Songwriter of the Year, plus a Best Online Content win. Follow him on Instagram @neddywp
About Sauga’s Song of the Year Contest
Inspired by the success of Sauga’s 50th Anthem Contest, Mississauga Arts Council (MAC), Metalworks Studios, and SoundsUnite Canada launched the Sauga’s Song of the Year Contest. Each year, the contest seeks a song that reflects the experiences, hopes, and dreams of the Mississauga artists who are writing them. Open to artists of all musical genres and backgrounds, Sauga’s Song of the Year provides songwriters with a platform to be heard and further their professional music careers. Learn more: macarts.ca/songoftheyear
About Mississauga Arts Council:
Mississauga Arts Council is a registered charity, dedicated to accelerating progress toward the attainment of our Vision of Mississauga, as a vibrant cultural community where arts and culture thrive! Our mission is to empower the Arts Economy by Creating more opportunities & capacity; Connecting artists to audiences and each other; and Celebrating artists’ achievements. Learn more: macarts.ca
About Metalworks Studios:
Established in 1978, Metalworks Recording Studios was originally the creative workspace for the legendary Canadian supergroup Triumph. From humble beginnings, Metalworks expanded over 40 years to become a six-studio powerhouse that today ranks as the undisputed leader in the recording studio business in Canada. The walls are lined with awards for Gold and platinum records by many of the world’s most popular recording artists. Learn more: metalworksstudios.com
About SoundsUnite Canada:
Metalworks Studios and Metalworks Institute have launched a new music education and music wellness platform called SoundsUnite Canada. Their mission is to bring ad-free music education and collaborative tools to students at elementary, high school, and post-secondary institutions, as well as at-risk youth and marginalized communities across Canada. Learn more: soundsunite.com
About Mississauga Music
Mississauga Music’s vision is to bring together and nurture Mississauga’s community of musicians, businesses, venues, promoters, creatives and the like. They aim to create an integrated platform that will feature the next wave of artists to highlight Mississauga on a national scale. Learn more: mississaugamusic.com
For more information, please contact:
Sherri Parliament, Communications Manager & Music Strategist
Mississauga Arts Council
sherri@macarts.ca
Thank you to our Co-Sponsors
Thank you to our Media Partner
Mississauga Music
Media Partner
mississaugamusic.com