Murda Beatz named an ambassador for basketball programs at FEIA

Shane Lindstrom has worked with some of the biggest names in music for more than a decade, and now he has a new collaboration in his hometown of Fort Erie.

Known as Murda Beatz, he is a six-time Grammy nominee and a multi-platinum producer behind hits such as Drake’s ‘Nice for What’ and Travis Scott’s ‘Butterfly Effect.’

Lindstrom has also worked with artists who include Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, as well as Migos, an Atlanta-based rap group who he connected with early in his career.

The 31-year-old Fort Erie Secondary School graduate has been named the official ambassador of the renowned basketball program at Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA), a private high school that began operating out of the secondary school building a few years after it was closed by District School Board of Niagara in 2016.

He will help promote both men’s and women’s programs at FEIA, both of which are considered some of the best in the country, winning titles and producing a number of players who have signed with NCAA colleges and NBA teams.

The partnership is also in tandem with a new Adidas contract for team uniforms.

In an interview, Lindstrom said it’s “amazing” to be involved in the FEIA basketball realm and to be able to give back to his hometown.

“Fort Erie is the reason I am who I am today,” he said.

Lindstrom has been in the business for about 15 years and said he owes his success to his hard work, but also to his family who were always supportive of him chasing his dreams.

“I see the same thing in these kids,” he said, referring to the sacrifices their parents, many from foreign countries, make by sending them to FEIA.

It allows them to “fully pursue what they want to do in life,” he said. “They just want to chase their dreams.”

Lindstrom has been living in Los Angeles for about 10 years and recently returned from playing a run of shows in China and Japan. He also performed at Lollapalooza and Coachella earlier this year.

Asked what advice he has for young people pursuing a career of any kind, he said it’s important to believe in yourself and think outside the box.

“If you really want something and you’re passionate about it, go for it, because you don’t want to be stuck doing something you’re not passionate about,” he said.

It’s also crucial to “go that extra mile,” he said, adding when he was starting out he was persistent in making connections on the internet and travelling to places such as Chicago and Atlanta to show off his talents with the hope of becoming recognized.

Kemy Osse, head coach of the men’s basketball team at FEIA, said players on both squads are excited about their new Adidas jerseys and gear, but also about having Murda Beatz on the same court.

Osse said it’s great to see a celebrity of his stature keeping where he grew up in mind.

“At the end of the day, he doesn’t have to do it,” said Osse, who recently took over the head coach role after the departure of Charles Hantoumakos. “It just shows how much he loves his town.”

Several players from FEIA have signed with NCAA teams.

In 2023, FEIA graduate Lenoard Miller was drafted by the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.

Osse thanked FEIA’s owner Paul Liu for his dedication to the school’s athletics programs.

“Without him, none of this would be possible,” he said.

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