Twenty years ago, John K. Samson sang the words, "I hate Winnipeg," in the Weakerthans' song, "One Great City!" It's the perfect ode to Samson's hometown, a song that can only come out of a complicated relationship to the Prairie province, one filled with equal amounts of love and hatred, devotion and resentment.

Manitoba may not be the first place you think of when you think of the country's biggest exports, but it has given us great talent like Samson, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Chantal Kreviazuk, the Guess Who and, of course, it's where Neil Young's career originated.

In recent years, there's been a slow but steady rise of notable up-and-coming artists, from Polaris Music Prize-nominees Begonia and JayWood to hip-hop performers Anthony OKS and YSN Fab.

CBC Music's top 100 songs of 2023 featured an impressive number of Manitoba artists, illustrating the many exciting new sounds coming out of the province. "There's tons of incredible music coming out of Winnipeg right now," singer-songwriter Fontine told CBC Music's The Intro earlier this year. "It's just really cool to be a part of that. It's a very supportive community and we are all very caring and loving with each other. It's just very awesome."

Her bandmate and friend Liam Duncan, a.k.a. Boy Golden, echoed Fontine's sentiments, on his own episode of The Intro last year: "[The Manitoba scene] is really strong. It feels like it's getting stronger."

Below are just a selection of Manitoba artists who caught our attention this year. If this is Manitoba's breakout year, we can't wait to see how this burgeoning scene grows in the years to come.

A folk musician whose rich baritone voice provides comfort and warmth.

A singer-songwriter exploring love and existentialism through lush, intimate songs.

An exciting new voice in R&B with an impressive vocal range and even more mindblowing falsetto.

Decade-long scenesters whose energetic hip-hop encapsulates both party and revolutionary mind sets.

This year's CBC Music Searchlight winner, artist and producer Mattmac combines pop-trap beats with deeply personal storytelling.

A Polaris Music Prize shortlister, Begonia's soulful voice brings pop and R&B together with equal parts sensuality and playfulness.

After years of working on other people's music — such as performing in Boy Golden's band — Fontine finally released her gorgeous solo EP, Yarrow Lover, earlier this year.

A longtime collaborator of the Halluci Nation and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, producer Boogey the Beat stepped into the spotlight this year with his debut album, Cousins.