The Toronto Raptors are back in the playoffs, and their hype videos are doing things a little differently this time.
There's no thumping bass or blaring beats in the promotional reels on social media. Instead, a more emotional, piano-driven score accompanies Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett dunking and hitting fadeaways.
The man behind that sound is Toronto composer Tony Ann, whose pop-leaning neoclassical style is quickly winning over the city鈥檚 sports teams.
鈥淚 tell so many people my biggest inspirations and heroes are athletes. I grew up watching Vince Carter with the Raptors and Michael Jordan with the Wizards 鈥 I know that wasn鈥檛 his prime anymore, but it was still pretty cool,鈥 says the 32-year-old, speaking from Antwerp, Belgium.
He鈥檚 midway through a European tour that鈥檚 taken him from small towns in Switzerland to ornate concert halls in London.
鈥淵ou can really see the diligence, the hard work, the dedication, motivation 鈥 you know, all the training that they need to endure. I take that into my practice and the way I try to carry out my career.鈥
The Beijing-born, Toronto-bred pianist was also tapped by the Toronto Blue Jays for a pump-up video during their post-season run last fall 鈥 a clip that opens with him playing the familiar 鈥淐harge!鈥 theme at the Rogers Centre before drifting into something more intricate and meditative.聽
He鈥檚 not just scoring the moment 鈥 he stars in the videos as well. The Raptors鈥 hype reels show Ann in a jersey at centre court in Scotiabank Arena, hammering out his dramatic track 鈥淩ush of Life鈥 on the keys.
The Raptors begin their playoff run Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
鈥淚 got to shoot some free throws. I missed all of them, but it was really cool,鈥 Ann chuckles. 鈥淚t really was a bucket list thing for me.鈥
He says the collaborations grew out of a conversation with his label Universal Music Canada about his passion for sports. That led first to a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club in 2023, with a video where he showcased his piano chops at Parc des Princes stadium.
Raptors parent company Maple Leaf 国产诱惑福利 & Entertainment says it partnered with Ann to help excite fans 鈥渘o matter their language, their age or their culture.鈥
鈥淲e also saw a synergy between Tony鈥檚 story of determination and hard work to perfect his craft and the dedication and passion the Raptors continue to commit to this post-season,鈥 says Sherry Jean, the company鈥檚 senior manager of digital content strategy.
His massive online presence may have been a factor, too 鈥 he boasts more than three million Instagram followers. Ann broke out in 2017 after a video cover of a Chainsmokers song caught the EDM duo鈥檚 attention and earned him a spot in their touring band. Since then, he鈥檚 built an international following via a modernized take on classical music and an instinctive feel for what lands online.
鈥淚 would never categorize my music in the same world as 1800s artists like Beethoven and Chopin. That鈥檚 true classical music. I'm really closer to the world of pop music,鈥 he says.
鈥淭he harmonies are very simple. The melodies are a bit easier to understand and digest. I'm not really trying to impress musicians by throwing a bunch of chords in my music just to sound smart.鈥
He notes his more accessible approach appeals to a younger crowd: 鈥淲hen I look out at the stands, I see a lot of kids or people my age.鈥
Being fluent in social media also helps.聽
Ann鈥檚 #playthatword series routinely goes viral on TikTok and Instagram, with the pianist improvising original melodies based on words suggested by fans. Next week, the Raptors will release a video featuring him taking on the challenge with the word 鈥淩aptors.鈥
He says the team gave him some guidelines for the piece: 鈥淭hey wanted it to be energetic, exciting, something that was optimistic, something that sounded hopeful.鈥澛
What Ann ended up creating, he adds, is 鈥渟omething fast-tempo, uplifting and kind of like EDM.鈥澛
"Raptors basketball has a lot of high-paced intensity .... I just wanted to create something that matched with the ambience. I didn't want to create something that felt like a breakup ballad.鈥
Ann had a conscious uncoupling of his own a few years ago 鈥 after years of living in Los Angeles pursuing music, he decided to move back to Toronto.
鈥淚 missed the seasons,鈥 he says.
鈥淭oronto鈥檚 always going to be a very special place for me. When I see a Canadian flag there鈥檚 definitely some feelings of emotions, because this is my home.鈥
As for his feelings on the Raptors鈥 matchup versus the Cavaliers?
鈥淩aptors in six,鈥 he says.
This report by 国产诱惑福利 was first published April 18, 2026.
