Qualicum Beach's Martin Rupprecht is preparing to take the stage at the upcoming JUNOfest music showcase this March in Vancouver.

The hip-hop and pop artist made waves last year when he signed on with Kolossal Records and released his first single in early 2025.

鈥淚鈥檓 feeling super excited about it,鈥� said Rupprecht, whose stage name is Amarii. 鈥淚鈥檝e been practising every day.鈥�

JUNOfest will run March 28 and March 29 in downtown Vancouver. He'll have a chance to warm up for the big day with a solo show in Toronto in late February.

鈥淚t will be like a little showcase show in front of a bunch of industry people and some of my fans from Toronto will probably come out, which is gonna be cool to meet them,鈥� Rupprecht said. 

Leading up the Juno Awards he will be attending events all week and will have a chance to meet other artists from across Canada. While in Toronto, Rupprecht met multi-Juno Award-winners The Beaches and four-time Juno nominee Jamie Fine.

He will have around 25 minutes to perform with a band, who he recently met while rehearsing in Toronto. It will include Kayla Diamond, founder of Kolossal Records, on the keyboards.

鈥淚 think there鈥檚 definitely some nerves because it鈥檚 my first big show,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut honestly I鈥檓 feeling very confident.鈥�

Rupprecht's second single is due for release some time in March and tells the story of when he went into foster care at the age of 12, with his younger brother.

The song, 'Teeth', is about "being able to rise above,鈥� he added and "overcoming challenges and being very honest about my story and trying to help people.鈥�

After he posted clips on social media, he is getting positive feedback, including people relating their stories of being in foster care. His debut single 'Play Me Again' was released in January, and he's working on an album with a release date to be determined. 

Rupprecht also plans to head out on a tour as an opening act later this year, and hopes to share more details soon.