Toronto, On – Award winning music Marketer and OG Raptor Identity Co-creator, David Stricklanddropped the highly anticipated single “13 Rules” featuring OG Toronto Raptors. The single is performed by well-known Canadian artists Sheldon Universe, Fab Eland Denosh. “13 Rules” is written by Strickland, Sheldon Universe, and Fab El. The group released the single following the brand launch of Strickland’s new company, 13 Rules Inc. during the Harmony Rules Fest in Uxbridge, Ontario. The launch was attended by special guest artists and OG Toronto Raptors Basketball players. Strickland’s vision for the new company is to bring the history of Basketball to life through music, uniting all genres and people. The goal of the 13 Rules Inc. is to bridge the gap between music, basketball & cultures within communities. Strickland and his crew want to shine the light on the people the moments & the cultures that have made basketball what it is today. “13 Rules” release begins thatJourney.
David Strickland is no stranger to the music industry or basketball. In the 90’s, Strickland joined forces with Raptors founder, John Bitove to help bring Basketball to Toronto. Strickland went on to become the Raptors Director of consumer products working for Isiah Thomas to secure Raptors Merchandise distribution in 27 Countries before ever playing a game.
Music has always been in Strickland’s DNA. A Platinum Record Holder, he has worked with the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics music project, ‘I Believe.’ The talented entrepreneur firmly believes bringing music and basketball together into communities will serve as a bond between cultures and community. “13 Rules” has morphed into an anthem for the new company, an expression of the vision and what’s to come.
“13 Rules” is available now on all music platforms. Be a part of the journey….
Abel Mavura is a journalist, editor, and writer whose work explores the intersections of cities, migration, and social justice. He tells stories about how people move, survive, and remake urban life under conditions of precarity, drawing on close field engagement and lived experience.
Trained as a journalist at the Christian College of Southern Africa, Abel’s early work was rooted in media practice and community storytelling. Over time, his focus expanded into research and critical inquiry, allowing his writing to move fluidly between reportage, analysis, and long-form reflection. He is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and is currently pursuing research at the University of Cambridge, where his work builds on earlier research into migration and informal housing.
Abel is the author of three books, and his writing has appeared across platforms ranging from grassroots and community radio to international and policy-facing spaces. His work is grounded in clarity, ethical storytelling, and a commitment to centring voices often left out of mainstream narratives.