How FranK and Progressive ENT Are Shaping the Future of East Coast Hip-Hop in Canada
- Hailey Bell
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
Name: Lloyd Burt
Artist Name: FranK
Location: Gander, Newfoundland
Business Name(s):
• Progressive ENT
• UHRS1
• Nocturnnl
Instagram:
Website: www.progressiveent.ca
Category: Artist • Graphic Designer • Radio Host • Tour Manager • Event Planner • Videographer • Audio Engineer • Marketing Specialist
💬 INTRODUCTION
So I grew up in a small town in Newfoundland called Campbellton, which isn't too far from where I currently reside. I moved away to Toronto with my mother at a young age and lived there until I was roughly 21 years old, before deciding it would be a good idea to move back to Newfoundland — most people do the exact opposite, haha. When I returned, I settled in St. John’s, where I began my musical journey and spent nearly ten years booking shows and planning events. Recently, my son and I decided to leave the busy city behind and move to Gander for a fresh start and a slower pace.
🔥 THE PASSION
When I first started out, there really wasn’t much of a hip-hop scene or support from the mainstream music community here in Newfoundland. The main musical governing bodies didn’t view the genre as something viable to showcase or export to the mainland — or even internationally. To be fair, it may not have been ready at that time, but since then it’s blossomed into an incredibly talented scene filled with artists who deserve a platform to be heard.
That’s why I founded my label, Progressive ENT, which later expanded into UHRS1, a radio station and platform that hosts the provincial Hip-Hop Awards — now entering its 4th year and privately funded.
We’re also launching grants for hip-hop artists in Newfoundland starting in 2026, to support artist development, touring, and much more. This same drive led to the creation of Nocturnnl last year — now in its second year — where we’ve built a touring opportunity for musicians across Atlantic Canada, headlined by UK pop and hip-hop artist PROSE.
🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE
Being Canadian to me isn’t just a label — it’s a lifestyle.
There’s a freedom to it, a way of thinking and living that you don’t often see in other cultures. There’s a certain air about being Canadian that carries a quiet confidence and humility at the same time. It gives me a deep sense of pride knowing that, for the most part, people hold this country in high regard — and that we get to represent that through our art and creativity.
🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM
I can't label just one moment. To me, if we are able to influence or guide someone to their place they want to or need to be, that's enough for me. I do this for the ability to be able to pass on the knowledge I've been able to accumulate in this field and apply it to helping artists who feel they don't have support to be able to develop. So in short; the biggest standout moment to me is being able to do what we do with Progressive ENT via UHRS1, Nocturnnl & our sister company Atlantic Waves.
🤝 NETWORKING SPOT
We want to continue collaborating with like-minded companies, artists, and individuals who share the same vision — to grow the network and create more opportunities for artists here in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal is to bridge the gap between our province and the rest of the world, giving local talent a larger stage to stand on. We’re open to working with anyone who shares the same drive and commitment to elevating Canadian creativity and community.
🌠 CLOSING
The 7-show run kicked off October 3 in St. John’s, Newfoundland with the flagship Nocturnnl event, and continues across Atlantic Canada with upcoming stops in:
October 3 – St.John, NL @ Bella Vista
October 9 – Halifax, NS @ Gus’ Pub
October 10 – Truro, NS @ The Commune
October 11 – Moncton, NB @ Tide & Boar Pub
October 12 – Halifax, NS (All Ages) @ Radstorm
October 17 – Corner Brook, NL @ Bootleg Brew Co.
The tour has already been an incredible experience, connecting with artists and audiences across Atlantic Canada — a movement built on community, creativity, and collaboration.
💫 COMETS QUESTIONS
COMET: Did you ever think your voice would resonate with people the way it does now?
FRANK: I honestly don’t even think it still does, so the answer would definitely be no. I look at myself as the coach of a sports team — and if you watch sports at all, even the coach sometimes has to sit out or miss games. It’s not all about me, and I’m blessed to have the team around me that I do to be where we are today.
COMET: When people look back on your journey years from now, what do you hope they remember most?
FRANK: The fact that I tried to create a platform in Newfoundland for hip-hop and never took “no” for an answer. And when it was given to me as an answer, I went and created something myself for everyone here to avail of.
COMET: What’s it like building a career that has you constantly in motion, rarely standing still?
FRANK: I keep myself busy on purpose, honestly. I don’t do well with idle hands, so to speak. Even besides music, I make all our label’s merch, and I also have a food review channel and TikTok where we do reviews and cooking videos. I’m a single dad who works full time and has his son full time too — so I think I’m just used to the chaos, haha.
COMET: Do you find inspiration while living life on the road, or does it sometimes feel draining?
FRANK: I love being in the thick of it. It does get draining, absolutely. My biggest thing is missing my son when I do go.
COMET: What keeps you grounded when the lifestyle starts to feel heavy or overwhelming?
FRANK: Knowing I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it for my son, for my community, and for the artists and people that rely on it. I think of all of those things when it feels too hard or overwhelming — it pushes me and keeps me steady on the path. Meditation helps a lot as well.
COMET: When the grind catches up to you, what’s your go-to way to reset your mind and energy?
FRANK: Meditation and video games. It doesn’t happen often, but when I get the time, I like to travel too — which thankfully I get to do a lot through music.
COMET: How do you keep chasing your goals without losing sight of everyday life around you?
FRANK: My son and everyone around me who depends on this to work. I want to leave behind something people can tangibly have and benefit from — even when I’m long gone from this world.
COMET: What have been the hardest parts about balancing your personal world with your creative one?
FRANK: I don’t know if I do balance it, honestly. I work most of the time, and my personal life definitely suffers. I just try to enjoy the downtime at home with my son and the people I love.
COMET: How do you stay motivated when the financial side of chasing your dream gets tough?
FRANK: Just knowing that no one else is going to do it for me. If we want this here in our province, I need to be proactive and constantly moving — creating opportunities.
COMET: Was there ever a moment when you almost walked away — and what pulled you back in?
FRANK: I’ve stepped back from being a musician a few times — not fully, but for breaks when I focused on other things. For example, I took nine months off from making music last year to focus solely on videography and my food channel, Feast with FranK (@feastwithfrank709 on all socials).
There have been a lot of times I wanted to throw in the towel, honestly. But I always think of that picture of someone giving up without realizing how close they are to achieving their dreams. I can’t give up. I need to teach my son that you chase what you want — and if you work hard enough, with preparation and a bit of luck, you’ll make it there.
📲 WHERE CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT OR FOLLOW YOUR WORK?
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