One Ton

One Ton was a Canadian dance music group, active in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[1] Incorporating world music influences such as reggae and flamenco,[1] the band released two albums and garnered a Juno Award nomination for New Group of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2003.[2]

Initially consisting of Byron Mikaloff, Cristobal Tapia de Veer, Kyle Girgan and Billy Martin,[1] the group was formed in Quebec City in 1997 as The Blokes.[3] They released one album, The Blokes' Greatest Hits, under that band name.[1] After Girgan and Martin left the band, Mikaloff and Tapia de Veer added new musicians Zita Laverdière, Saïmon and DJ Nerve, changing their name to One Ton.[4] They released their debut album under their new name, Beginning of a New Race, in 1999.[4] In 2000, Laverdière sang vocals on Les Respectables' hit single "Amalgame".[3]

As a trio consisting of Mikaloff, Tapia de Veer and Laverdière, One Ton's second album Abnormal Pleasures followed in 2002.[1] The album spawned the single "Supersexworld", which reached the top 10 on the Canadian charts.[5]

In addition to their Juno Award nomination, the band also garnered a Félix Award nomination for Best Non-French Album, and "Supersexworld" won the SOCAN award for Best Dance Song.[6]

The band did not record or release another album after Abnormal Pleasures. Mikaloff went on to the projects Bunka Busta and The Lost Fingers, while Tapia de Veer became a composer for film and television .[7] Laverdière left the music business.[7]