The Toronto Raptors are again within the playoffs, and their hype movies are doing issues a bit of otherwise this time.
There’s no thumping bass or blaring beats within the promotional reels on social media. As an alternative, a extra emotional, piano-driven rating accompanies Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett dunking and hitting fadeaways.
The person behind that sound is Toronto composer Tony Ann, whose pop-leaning neoclassical fashion is shortly successful over town’s sports activities groups.
“I inform so many individuals my greatest inspirations and heroes are athletes. I grew up watching Vince Carter with the Raptors and Michael Jordan with the Wizards — I do know that wasn’t his prime anymore, but it surely was nonetheless fairly cool,” says the 32-year-old, talking from Antwerp, Belgium.
He’s halfway by means of a European tour that’s taken him from small cities in Switzerland to ornate live performance halls in London.
“You possibly can actually see the diligence, the arduous work, the dedication, motivation — you understand, all of the coaching that they should endure. I take that into my apply and the way in which I attempt to perform my profession.”
The Beijing-born, Toronto-bred pianist was additionally tapped by the Toronto Blue Jays for a pump-up video throughout their post-season run final fall — a clip that opens with him enjoying the acquainted “Cost!” theme on the Rogers Centre earlier than drifting into one thing extra intricate and meditative.
Associated Movies
He’s not simply scoring the second — he stars within the movies as nicely. The Raptors’ hype reels present Ann in a jersey at centre court docket in Scotiabank Enviornment, hammering out his dramatic monitor “Rush of Life” on the keys.
Get each day Nationwide information
Get each day Canada information delivered to your inbox so you may by no means miss the day’s prime tales.
The Raptors start their playoff run Saturday towards the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I acquired to shoot some free throws. I missed all of them, but it surely was actually cool,” Ann chuckles. “It actually was a bucket record factor for me.”
He says the collaborations grew out of a dialog along with his label Common Music Canada about his ardour for sports activities. That led first to a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Soccer Membership in 2023, with a video the place he showcased his piano chops at Parc des Princes stadium.
Raptors mother or father firm Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure says it partnered with Ann to assist excite followers “regardless of their language, their age or their tradition.”
“We additionally noticed a synergy between Tony’s story of willpower and arduous work to good his craft and the dedication and fervour the Raptors proceed to decide to this post-season,” says Sherry Jean, the corporate’s senior supervisor of digital content material technique.
His large on-line presence could have been an element, too — he boasts greater than three million Instagram followers. Ann broke out in 2017 after a video cowl of a Chainsmokers track caught the EDM duo’s consideration and earned him a spot of their touring band. Since then, he’s constructed a global following by way of a modernized tackle classical music and an instinctive really feel for what lands on-line.
“I’d by no means categorize my music in the identical world as 1800s artists like Beethoven and Chopin. That’s true classical music. I’m actually nearer to the world of pop music,” he says.
“The harmonies are quite simple. The melodies are a bit simpler to grasp and digest. I’m probably not attempting to impress musicians by throwing a bunch of chords in my music simply to sound sensible.”
He notes his extra accessible method appeals to a youthful crowd: “Once I look out on the stands, I see numerous youngsters or folks my age.”
Being fluent in social media additionally helps.
Ann’s #playthatword collection routinely goes viral on TikTok and Instagram, with the pianist improvising authentic melodies primarily based on phrases recommended by followers. Subsequent week, the Raptors will launch a video that includes him taking over the problem with the phrase “Raptors.”
He says the group gave him some tips for the piece: “They wished it to be energetic, thrilling, one thing that was optimistic, one thing that sounded hopeful.”
What Ann ended up creating, he provides, is “one thing fast-tempo, uplifting and form of like EDM.”
“Raptors basketball has numerous high-paced depth …. I simply wished to create one thing that matched with the atmosphere. I didn’t wish to create one thing that felt like a breakup ballad.”
Ann had a aware uncoupling of his personal a number of years in the past — after years of residing in Los Angeles pursuing music, he determined to maneuver again to Toronto.
“I missed the seasons,” he says.
“Toronto’s all the time going to be a really particular place for me. Once I see a Canadian flag there’s undoubtedly some emotions of feelings, as a result of that is my house.”
As for his emotions on the Raptors’ matchup versus the Cavaliers?
“Raptors in six,” he says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 18, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press
