I am not going to talk much about this event because I am still upset that I wasn't there. I had plans to attend with my cousins from uptown, but it just didn't work out. I hear that some of the highlights of the show include when Jeezy brought out Drake to perform Best I Ever Had and he received a very warm welcome from the NY/NJ crowd. Later on, Jay-Z joined Jeezy on stage to perform his verse from the Put On Remix, then Hov proceeded to rip his new song D.O.A. Funny how the song was just leaked this past Friday and everybody already knows all the words to it. For some strange reason T-Pain; sans Big Ass Chain thought it was appropriate to join Hov on stage for this performance. I guess 10 lbs on your neck can take its toll. Lol
Anyway, I was able to score some exclusive footage courtesy of the Life Files, with performances from Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Drake, Young Jeezy, T-Pain, and so on...
If you weren't at The Revival on Friday June 5th, you missed a great show put on by The Foreign Exchange. Toronto's grown and sexy crowd came out to vibe with Nicolay and Phonte, as they were part of a live 7-piece band bringing that Neo-Soul sound to Toronto.
I had a chance to talk to Nicolay and Phonte before they came to Toronto. "We are looking for the crowd to come out and have a good time." said Phonte. That is exactly what went down.
Before they hit the stage, the crowd was warmed up By The Art of Fresh. And as you would expect they definitely got everyone's blood pumping.
Once The Foreign Exchange hit the stage they performed their hottest joints like, "Sincere" and "Come Around". Of course they played, "Daykeeper" and had the crowd rocking. Phonte kept the crowd entertained with his "preaching" at The Revival between songs.
Oh yes, they covered some oldies, but goodies. They hit reggae joints like, "Flex" and "Murder She Wrote" to name a few. And any band that can sing, "Hopped up out the bed turn my swag on. Took a look in the mirror said what's up?" while making you forget that it's a Souljah Boy song can definitely rock a crowd.
This was a must see show for all the grown and sexy folks of Toronto. If they make their way back....be sure to make your way to see them.
No you are not seeing double. They are twins! I met Nova and Chase last week at The Stylus DJ Awards Show in Toronto. They proceeded to rip a performance later that night at the after party.
Yes I know this is ignorant, but this is the funniest thing on a Sunday.
Last Wednesday, King Abdullah presented President Obama with an elaborate gift upon his arrival to Saudi Arabia; a gold chain that he promptly removed after the photo ops. This Sunday, producer/recording artist T-Pain unveiled his beast of a chain.
Songwriters and producers usually use a reference track when they are shopping a song to an artist. It can also be used to help guide the artist on laying the track down just right! Over the last while, I have heard leaked reference tracks for Lil Kim/B.I.G., and Pussy Cat Dolls/Chris Brown. Here we have the #1 hit "Umbrella" penned by The Dream and would later be performed by superstar Rihanna. The "Ella ella, eh eh eh" part should have been a dead giveaway since The Dream says it in all his songs.
Obviously, Dream is no Rihanna, but you cannot deny his genius...
Season 6 American Idol winner and certified platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks releases her first video for her upcoming album of the same title. Written and produced by Ryan Tedder.
Today T-Pain aka T-Chain gave us a preview of his new chain that he will be wearing today at Hot97's SummerJam via Twitter.
"10lbs. 197kts. Very very real I don't know what fake feel like.$410,000. Hola señor recession proof. With 32 cars.Oldest child 5 and already got 4 million in her own account.I dont do dumb shit like this till I know the fams good. So don't judge me frm what I buy.Judge me frm what I do.Cuz it's so many artists that put themself before their family.but thanx yo "- T-Pain
"Money comes, Money goes. So you need to blow it like a runny nose"
Another version of this song was leaked a few months back and was originally believed to be a leak off of the much anticipated Blueprint 3 album from Jay-Z. Well Hov's verses have been removed and now we have a hit song by Loso produced by Jermaine Dupri, featuring his fellow Brooklynite Jay-Z on the hook. This song will be featured on Fabolous Loso’s Way album.
Tonight, Hot97’s Funk Flex was dropping mad bombs! What's the commotion you ask? It was the world premier of Hov's new track "Death of Autotune" from the upcoming Blueprint 3 album via Warner Music. I like the song, but I don't understand why older cats are always hating on new trends when they themselves had to break through barriers. Charlamagne said it best tonight: "Hov is the same dude who said what you eat don't make me shit, now he's concerned about how everyone else is eating". Personally, I think Jay wouldn't mind Autotune and singing on his songs if he could actually get away with it, He used to rap like a Fu-schnicken for God sakes! Regardless here is the new tack. Let us know what you think....
So, Your boy Drizzy is going to be featured in RollingStone. In this article Drake discusses his "50 Cent-like ascension from fringe artist to bonafide star", and the Mixtape game that helped him get there.
Everybody is now hopping on the Santigold tip... They are over a year late on this one, but we won`t hold it against all you new Santigold fans. This remix project combines your favorite Santigold songs, with classic Down South rap. You can definitely bump this one in your ride all summer long!
Unfreakable Girl (Ft. Gucci Mane)
1. M.I.A. Artistes (Ft. Pitbull & Ying Yang Twins) 2. You’ll Find A Way Player (Ft. Andre 3000 & Bun B) 3. Still Tippin’ It (Ft. Slim Thug & Mike Jones) 4. Can’t Say It (Ft. T-Pain) 5. Creating Kryptonite (Ft. Purple Ribbon All-Stars) 6. Fire Superman (Ft. Lil’ Wayne) [Prod. By Mike Cash] 7. Hustlin’ With The Lights Out (Ft. Rick Ross) 8. Shawty Is Starstuck (Ft. The Dream) 9. Unfreakable Girl (Ft. Gucci Mane) 10. Nann Lady (Ft. Trick Daddy & Trina) [Prod. By JKhan] 11. Anne’s Plan (Ft. Chip Tha Ripper) [Prod. By Mike Cash] 12. You’ll Go Crazy (Ft. Young Jeezy) [Prod. By Mike Cash]
UPDATE: Santigold supports this mixtape: "Some kid just hit me up about this on MySpace. It was the first I ever heard about it. I've never heard anything about this DJ or this remix, and certainly did not send a cease and desist letter. I'm a supporter of mixtape culture and intend to get to the bottom of it."
Oh man, what a busy week for all Toronto socialites/party-go-ers and music junkies a-like. So much has gone on these last 4 days and it isn't even Friday yet.
As with all my run-downs, I always like to make sure that what I say is honest and factually correct from MY point of view. ACTION WORD there is: MY. And what would a review be without the sometimes live video footage and photos. So now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's begin.
Friday May 29 was the official launch of the Stylus Awards SpinFest weekend. There isn't really much to talk about since hardly anyone was in town [apparently]. We went to a few spots that night including the CATHOUSE and the ORANGE ROOM, and the turn-out was kinda lacking. Not to be a prelude of things to come, but it really did come to me as a surprise that with the weather being somewhat decent, the people weren't really out taking in that evenings festivities. Not just me though, ask anyone.
Saturday May 30 was the “It Starts With The DJ 2.0” Conference which I heard was a huge success. The panel was well spoken and equally researched. Panellists included:
Abby Tobias (DJ, President: Soul Power Productions, Scratchlab & Six Degrees Event Venue, Keys N' Krates, Eh team DJ's)
Wristpect (DJ, Sole Proprietor)
Neil Forester (Management: Baby Yu, Owner: Mass Appeal & The Substance Group)
Baba Kahn (DJ, Promoter, Owner: Scratchlab & Soulshock Marketing Group
Stephane Lecuyer (Full Capacity Concerts - CEO / National Concert & Event Promoter)
Adrian Strong (DMD Promo - Radio Promo)
Tony Sal (CEO - CP Records)
Each individual on there had very insightful views and opinions that were invaluable to the discussion. From what I gathered from various participants of the conference, the networking hour was the most productive and useful to those artists/DJs/entertainment fanatics trying to break into the scene. The advisors for that included:
Justin Dumont (Music Director - FLOW 93.5FM)
Jester (DJ: FLOW 93.5FM, 2007 Stylus College Radio Show of the Year Winner - Worldwide Wake Up Show CIUT 89.5FM)
Samantha Pickard (VP: Strut Entertainment, Public Relations, Branding and Event Management)
Joe Bartok (Entertainment Accountant/Owner - This is the Deal)
Lissa Monet (DJ, Blogger, Personality & Tastemaker)
Miro Oballa (Entertainment Lawyer - Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa)
P-Plus (DJ, Radio Personality: FLOW 93.5FM, Entrepreneur
• Adrian Strong (DMD Promo - Radio Promo)
Jay Devonish (Marketing Manager- E1 Music Group)
Jonathan Ramos (REMG Entertainment - Promoter)
Sunday June 1, the DJ Mix n’ Mingle BBQ. It was definitely the spot to be that Sunday. Sunny and a bit on the chilly side, the company, the music and let us not forget about the free food and booze made up for that HUGE. A lot of TO notables Melanie Fiona, P Plus, Lissa Monet, Kid Kut, Grouch, Jester, Ian Espinet, Wan Luv, Jahvon, Future da Prince as well as National ones. I finally got a chance to meet up with fellow MTL blogger Marcus Troy to catch up on the latest in blogger gadget gear… a conversation I will save for another day. The Game Show was lively and entertaining and BIG UP to the FUZE-NI-KENS for winning this year’s champion title. After all that excitement was over, we managed to do an impromptu Twitter dinner. Those that were in attendance @youngfreshnew, @roshine, @bunitall, @herlilblackbook, @wrgleslie, @firstladyd, @bigives, @emti, @maxfab, @djmanifest, @melaniefiona and of course yours truly @toflo. And who says Twitter is a waste of time… clearly its worth more then 140 characters.
Monday June 2, the Main Event. The day started at 5:30AM, headed into the CHRY studios for the pre-Stylus Award Toronto Morning Live show with myself and DJ Manifest. Kid Famous and Kim Davis passed through the studio to talk about their most recent projects as well as [you guessed it] their Stylus Award nomination. Call-in guests included Stylus Founder Mike Zafaris, Marc Ecko Watches Brand Manager Jesse Jones, winner of MC of the Year Kid Kut, winner of College Radio Show Jester and winner of Best Underground DJ DJ Grouch. TML were the only ones in the city with 2 pairs of tickets to the SOLD-OUT 2009 Stylus DJ Awards Show. Congratulations to our ticket winners Rachel and Jeselle. Can you think of a better way to wake up on a Monday morning? Nope… good neither can I. You can check out Toronto Morning Live every Monday morning’s on CHRY 105.5FM from 7-10.
Later that evening the TOFLO team reached to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre around 7 ish. The place was buzzing with electricity, was packed from bar-to-bar and there was absolutely no room to even do a side-step turn. Seriously, it was shoulder-to-shoulder body-checking traffic. Being 5 foot nothing though, in this situation, proved to be highly advantageous. I was able to get in to everyone’s face with my Qik.com equipped iPhone (which I gotta say is the best gadget a techy-slash-blogger could possibly ever have). Check some of the footage below.
TOFLO.com was the official web streaming partner for this year’s Stylus show and given that it was sold out, this was hands down your best alternative to take in the evening in the comfort of your own house/basement/bedroom or dare I say your girl’s man’s bed HAHA just joking. Anyway, the show was slow to start, but once it did, it turned into a grand prix of award winners, presenters and celebrity guest appearances down to the sealed off exclusive TOFLO.com interviewing area. People who appeared on the TOFLO live stream included recording artists Andreena Mills & Saukrates (Canadian Hip Hop Single of the Year), Colin Munroe, Jahvon, Rochester aka Juice, Michie Mee, Kid Famous, Kim Davis, Trish, Danny Fernandez, Solitaire, Lincoln and Gary Beals, world-renowned producer Boy 1da, DJs P Plus (Best Radio DJ), Lissa Monet (Best Female DJ), Grouch (Best Underground DJ), Jester (Soca DJ of the Year) & Chief (College Radio Show of the Year), Illkidz (Toronto DJ of the Year), Agile (Mixtape of the Year), Spexx (Reggae DJ of the Year) and Wristspect (Club DJ of the Year). It was an abundance of Canadian love, and words on this blog are only a fraction of the undeniable support we all had and felt for those who won and participated in this year’s show.
A last, all good things must come to an end. And quite frankly by this time I was EXTREMELY tired, those 5 energy drinks I had did not help not one bit and I was near my collapse. We all agreed that we would just do a pass-through, that unnoticeably ended up being another couple hours at This is London [the official after-party spot]. With live free-style performances by 17-year old rapper Jahvon, A-Game, Kid Famous and a few others, this truly set the bar for next year’s showcase. The venue was decently filled, again with TO industry’s finest.
If you are a fan of music and were in the Toronto area this past weekend, and you were NOT in attendance, I am sorry to say you surely missed out on one hell of a weekend.
Last night the TOFLO.com team and I attended the Santigold concert here in Toronto, and I must say it was one of the best shows I have seen in years! Opening up the show was Amanda Blank, and Santigold's boyfriend (snowboarder-turned-musician) Trouble Andrew. Both of the opening acts gave stellar performances, but once we heard the introduction to "Hold The Line" you could feel the electricity throughout the whole Phoenix Concert Theater.
We were able to meet the crew and broadcast some live raw footage via Qik.com/toflo, but tune into TOFLO.com and TOFLO.com/blog over the next few days for more footage and a review of the show.
So apparently Kanye was pretty upset when this version of the video was leaked last week because it was not the finished version that he intended to be used. So today, he finally premiered the final cut of the video and now I understand why he was so upset. This version is a lot more improved. It looks like it was inspired by Sin City . The one constant -- Rihanna still looks hot!
The Academy, Shaman, and Prizefighter THE MAIN INGREDIENT presents... THE FOREIGNEXCHANGE LIVE! PHONTE of Little Brother & NICOLAY + full live band
THE MAIN INGREDIENT is proud to present the Canadian debut of THE FOREIGNEXCHANGE. North Carolina based THE FOREIGNEXCHANGE are one of the marquee groups globally creating a sound that melds contemporary soul music, with strong influences of hip hop both in their lyrics and production. The duo originally established through file swapping between then Netherlands based producer Nicolay and North Carolina based Phonte of the popular hip hop group Little Brother, have since received global praise for their two albums Connected and Leave It All Behind.
THE FOREIGNEXCHANGE live show features: PHONTE (of Little Brother) NICOLAY (producer / keys) YAHZARAH (lead and back-up vocals) DARIEN BROCKINGTON (lead and back-up vocals) ZO! & THE ELs (key, bass, drums)
Our after-party features THE MAIN INGREDIENT DJ's:
AGILE (MORE / MOJO) DJ MENSA (Social Experiment / Prizefighter) SEAN SAX (Soul On Ice / MOJO)
hosted by WAN LUV (MOJO / Cheers)
Friday, June 5 REVIVAL 783 College St. (at Shaw St. - 2 blocks East of Ossington) Cost: $20 early bird tickets exclusively at LIVESTOCK $25 advance tickets | more at door Tickets: Play De Record . Slinky (MOOG) . Soundscapes Online: ticketpicket.com | clubzone.com
After-party starts at midnight (following the concert) Cost: $10 cover | limited $5 guestlist Guestlist RSVP: info@thecyberkrib.com | shamanparty@gmail.com NOTE: Guestlist RSVP closes Wednesday, June 3 at midnight
Doors open at 9pm | Show at 10pm | After-party midnight-3am 19+ event
Visuals by Jason Sanders (aka General Eclectic) Flyer and design elements by Sirch (doinitwell.com)
THE SIDE DISH... in the STONE LOUNGE as part of the after-party R&B/soul from midnight onward DJ MENSA + SPECIAL GUEST DJ
If you weren't at The Revival on Friday June 5th, you missed a great show put on by The Foreign Exchange. Toronto's grown and sexy crowd came out to vibe with Nicolay and Phonte, as they were part of a live 7-piece band bringing that Neo-Soul sound to Toronto.
Y.O.T.E presents Summer Heat with Flo Rida, Soulja Boy and Kevin Rudolf July 23 at the Ricoh Coliseum.
Blake Carrington will be performing LIVE at the College Street Bar on Wednesday June 10th,2009.
Oh man, what a busy week for all Toronto socialites/party-go-ers and music junkies a-like. So much has gone on these last 4 days and it isn't even Friday yet.
As with all my run-downs, I always like to make sure that what I say is honest and factually correct from MY point of view. ACTION WORD there is: MY. And what would a review be without the sometimes live video footage and photos. So now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's begin.
A last, all good things must come to an end. And quite frankly by this time I was EXTREMELY tired, those 5 energy drinks I had did not help not one bit and I was near my collapse. We all agreed that we would just do a pass-through, that unnoticeably ended up being another couple hours at This is London [the official after-party spot]. With live free-style performances by 17-year old rapper Jahvon, A-Game, Kid Famous and a few others, this truly set the bar for next year’s showcase. The venue was decently filled, again with TO industry’s finest.
The Academy, Shaman, and Prizefighter
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