Michie Mee's 'Bahdgyal Revenge!'

Michie ‘BahdGyal’ Mee, Canada’s Queen of Hip Hop, has graced us with an 18-track album entitled ‘BahdGyals Revenge’ and this is a body of work you must hear.  

Michie’s greatness has always been her pen, when it meets paper, when it meets the recording booth, when it meets the dopest beats which leads to this album and the world stage.  Gifting us with Hip Hop interlaced with Dancehall and Reggae as well as Rock n’ Roll (track 15 “What You Talkin’ Bout”), Michie’s revenge is the absolute statement that Hip Hop is not dead.  No disrespect to Rappers, Trappers and those in between.

The Queen’s voice comes after the announcement by Chuck D (track 1 “Intro”) who confirms Michie’s genres of Hip Hop, Reggae and Rock n’ Roll.  Mich takes a moment to lyrically lay the foundation of how she arrived where she is (track 2 “Forgot About Mich”).  After that, it is straight cruise control on her sonic highway.

“Made It” featuring Tonya P pays homage to Michie’s hometown of Toronto, and “BahdGyal Bubble” brings out the hardcore attitude of Dancehall that tumps through the psyche of anyone who thinks that we cannot throw-down north of the border.  Remember, Toronto has the largest Jamaican population outside of New York and Michie is proud to represent that.

Bringing her roots from Jamaica to the fore, “Whey Mee Get It From” honors the Mothers before her.  Artists such as Sister Nancy, Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Lady G, Marcia Griffiths, Spice Official, Carla Marshall and Sister Carole paved part of the road Michie has traveled.  Paying respect to these Ladies and more shows the level of respect the BahdGyal has for fellow Queens in Reggae and Dancehall.

Where there is a Queen, you will find a King which makes me appreciate the song “Love.”  The album version is a 2020 upgrade from the original acoustic version released in 2011 (don’t get it wrong, both versions are straight fire).  Lindo P perfectly compliments Michie’s flow who shows a vulnerable side of women – the ones who on rare occasions admit to wanting and needing love.  If black love needed a sound, this song is it.

The album ends with “Made It” (Remix) featuring Kenny Cee.  Although Michie performs this song with Tonya P (track 7), this version ends with heavy elements of Soul that allows Kenny’s lyrics to shine like the beacon of light they are intended to be … yes life will get tough and throw curves but we have to be strong and survive.  That is Michie’s ‘revenge;’ she is strong, and she survived.  Peep her album cover art ... see that single rose growing through the concrete!

Wait ‘til you see what comes next! 

Connect with The Queen on IG @michiebadgyalmee

Stream Bahdgyals Revenge on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/album/3iqxsmcVilI19SYpSqVEfu

Are You Ready?! DJ Khaled's Father of Asahd Coming May 17th, 2019!

Sharing the details for what promises to be his biggest record yet, DJ Khaled reveals his twelfth full-length—the mega-anticipated Father of Asahd—will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on May 17, 2019 via We The Best Music Group/Epic Records.

The GRAMMY® nominated multiplatinum artist, music industry visionary, innovative influencer, mogul, and mega-producer personally disclosed the date on social media this morning and set the internet on fire as it trended worldwide. In keeping with a history of making major moves in the midst of other major moves, Khaled sends the culture into a frenzy by unveiling the news on the eve of the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards—which he will host for the first time tomorrow, Saturday May 23. It airs LIVE at 8p ET. Expect many surprises and his presence to fuel the proceedings.

Following back-to-back number one debuts on the Billboard Top 200, countless multiplatinum and gold plaques, a Hot 100 #1, and billions of streams, Khaled raised the bar yet again for Father of Asahd. The album represents him at the peak of his powers as an artist, producer, curator, and musical force with his most unexpected and earth-shattering collaborations to date. He will drop more hints soon as well as the first single as anticipation only increases.

Named after his two-year-old son and the album’s co-producer, Father of Asahd stands primed to be his most powerful moment yet. The album drops May 17th, 2019!

Get ready!

UNITY Charity Hits Toronto and the GTA

UNITY Charity is proud to host eight weekly community programs across the GTA with free drop-ins teaching hip-hop art forms to youth, in partnership with Tangerine. UNITYoffers drop-in programs in Toronto, Scarborough and Mississauga with all elements of hip-hop that focus on building skills through peer-to-peer mentorship and artistic performance. 

“When we first heard UNITY was expanding its community programs, we wanted to get behind them and lend our support,” said Peter Aceto, President and CEO of Tangerine. “Over the years we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact their programs have on local youth, so we’re thrilled to expand our partnership to help them grow these efforts.”

UNITY Charity empowers Canadian youth 10-18 years of age to be role models and leaders in their communities through after school and community programs in break dancing, graffiti art, spoken word poetry and beat boxing. The community drop-in programs for the 2016 season will include topics such as MC and Turntable foundations, the basics of break dancing and beat boxing battles, musicality, physical wellness, and cultural context.

"We are so excited to be expanding UNITY's community programs to create more accessible arts programming across our city and safe spaces for youth in the critical hours after school," said Michael Prosserman, Founder and Executive Director of UNITY Charity. "These programs meet youth where they are at, while providing opportunities for youth to express their stress in a safe, positive and encouraging space almost every day of the week."

UNITY Charity engages and empowers youth to make better choices as leaders, mentors and positive community role models leading to more productive citizens, safer schools, and healthier communities.

Founded in 2007 by Michael Prosserman aka “Bboy Piecez”, one of Toronto’s most preeminent B-boys, UNITY has reached over 100,000 youth across Canada using powerful messaging integrated with urban art forms to engage students and ultimately inspire them to find their voice amongst their peers and their community when dealing with issues such as bullying, violence, school life and cultural issues. 

UNITY CHARITY 

COMMUNITY DROP-IN PROGRAMS

Malvern All-Elements Hub

Every Tuesday • 6-8pm

Malvern Family Resource Centre, 1321 Neilson Road

Writer's Block MC/Spoken Word, and Beatboxing Drop-Ins

Every Tuesday • 5-7pm

SKETCH, 180 Shaw Street, Lower Level

Hip-Hop Drop-in

Every Wednesday • 7:30-10:30pm

Rightfoot Dance Studio, 370 Yonge Street

Downtown Breaking Drop-In

Every Wednesday • 4-7pm

Art Gallery of Ontario, Weston Family Learning Centre

317 Dundas Street West

Mississauga Hub

Every Thursday • 6:30-8:30pm

City Hall Fitness Studio, 4th Floor Mezzanine

300 City Center Drive, Mississauga

Yorkdale Breaking Drop-In

Every Friday • 5-9pm

Art Starts, 3401 Dufferin Street Lower Level

Scarborough Breaking Drop-In

Every Saturday • 3-6pm

Don Montgomery Community Center, 2467 Eglinton Avenue East

Steeles-L'Amoreux Hub

Every Sunday • 3:30-5:30pm

St. Aidan Catholic School, 3521 Finch Avenue East

Program dates and times subject to change, 

please check back for updates: unitycharity.com/weekly-events

unitycharity.com • @UNITYCharity • Facebook.com/UNITYCharity

Chinx Posthumously Welcomes You to JFK

Chinx

eOne Music and Four Kings Management have announced the posthumous release of Hip Hop artist Chinx’s nearly co,pleted debut album, Welcome to J.F.K., on August 14^th, 2015.  A new single from the album “On Your Body” (you can listen to the single here.)

As widely reported, the untimely and tragic death of the Queens, NY native last month sent shockwaves throughout the Hip Hop community including his hometown of New York City.

Chinx, an affiliate of French Montana’s Coke Boys, signed to eOne Music in February, 2015 and had been working on his album which was initially planned to be released late 2015.  The record is produced by Lee on the Beats and B Korn of the Amazinz.  Chinx recently said about the album “I’m in a great space creatively, and it’s time to really play.”

Fans will be able to preorder Welcome to J.F.K. on iTunes on July 17^th, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2zrPn64m7c

Honoring Biggie Smalls - We Love You Big Poppa!

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls.

There is not a music lover alive who does not acknowledge the significance of Notorious B.I.G. His flow was the epitome of Swag meets Street, and gave perspective to the musings of a man on a mission while living in a concrete jungle.  The Swag was for the ladies, and the Street was for the men, and the two met and mingled and reached levels of understanding. 

B.I.G. was that kind of artist.

Without doubt Biggie was the King of Hip Hop, son of Brooklyn, and cultured Jamaican.  His 2 Billboard Music Awards, 1 MTV Video Music Award, 1 Soul Train Music Award and 4 Source Awards do not reflect the impact his artistry had on the masses.  They don’t tell the story of the upcoming artists who aspired to be like him, nor do they tell the story of how many people sing the punch line to his music when the DJ lowers the volume to hear the crowd.  How do you explain those moments in an award or through album sales?  You can’t! 

To commemorate today’s significance, the team at L3 Magazine created a tribute cover in honor of the Hip Hop icon.  Rest in Peace King.  We Love and miss you…

CBS Wants Your Hip Hop, Pop, Rock and Alternative Music!

Here’s another GREAT opportunity coming from my friends at Music XRay (http://www.musicxray.com/) that I think, no, I know you should take advantage of!

CBS is looking for music for television broadcasts (50 to 100 songs), and as an independent artist, you might have what they’re looking for.  If your genres are Pop, Rock, Alternative, Hip Hop, Rap or Jazz, you might have the sound they want and are willing to pay for.

Register with http://www.musicxray.com/ and submit your music via the site.  For those who don’t believe this is real, take a look at the screen shots below.  You have 26 days to make it happen from today’s date (February 17^th, 2015)!

Dreams do come true; you just have to open your eyes to see!

Atlantic Records Wants Your Hip Hop & R&B!

Either you are, or you know someone who is one of the best R&B singers or Hip Hop artists and you want to know how to ‘put them on.’  Well, I’ve got some answers that will make you happy!

Atlantic Records is looking for the next GREAT artist, so here’s your chance to impress!  Thanks to my friends at https://www.musicxray.com/, the word has come to me that this legendary record label is looking for talent so this is your chance.  We’ve heard it direct from Shawn Barron, Senior Director A&R so this is first hand and accurate information.

If you’re ready to take the next step, sign up with Music XRay (see link above) and do your thing.

We live in an age of ‘show me,’ so look at the screen shots below for your proof your talent is wanted!

Big Up Notorious B.I.G and Busy Signal - HOTTT New Banger!

When we check the dictionary for the meaning of the word notorious, the definition says ‘publicly or generally known, as for a particular trait.”  An example of the word notorious in a sentence is “Busy Signal is notorious for making music people love.”  With that said…!

Busy Signal

Busy has unleashed another single that combines Hip Hop (a genre he really loves) with Dancehall (a genre that really loves him!) and the result is the HOTTT club banger “Glass Hand!”

Using the infamous riddim “The Notorious B.I.G” as a backdrop, Busy pays homage to legends who paved the way for him and other artists, and at the same time creates a party vibe for everyone (old and young) to celebrate life!  The DJ says:  push up the hand and let me see the glass hand / celebration cause life short and / gyalis inna dih street man nuh Tarzan / mih seh mih get more than the Victoria Secret draws man / hotead / me alone up inna mih class and / hail dih Killer cause dih General cross and …!

When you hear what Busy does to this riddim, you would wish Notorious B.I.G. was alive to collaborate with him.  As a matter of fact, I think Biggie would be a huge fan of Busy, just as Busy is a HUGE fan of Biggie!

If you’re ready to get your party lit, you’re ready for this chune from Busy available at the link below.  Make sure you let Busy know what you think via Twitter >>> @busysignal_turf

Direct Link to Glass Hand Clean:  https://app.box.com/s/yg5s56fs0lytngs9lxqo

Direct Link to Glass Hand Explicit:  https://app.box.com/s/dq9zafea6y42r99q0lud

HOTTT New Dancehall / Pop / Hip Hop ►►► Melodic Yoza – Countri Bunkan!

For those of you who have been asking for more of a mix between Dancehall and Pop / Hip Hop, you are going to appreciate the current release from Melodic Yoza called “Countri Bunkan.”  

The only Dancehall / Reggae heard on this track are the vocals of the artist and the enunciation of his words.  The music is 100% Pop / Hip Hop making it infectious and easy for fans and music lovers to follow.  With that said, what is the big deal about people who come from ‘country’ and people who come from the city?  Why are country people discouraged and city people encouraged?

Melodic sings:  “Hold on tight don’t let go / this is the life that I know / from ah likkle and ah grow / they used to be like ‘bwoy know where you ah go’ / hey County Bunkan whap’m where you come from talkin bout yuh gun man / that is such a dumb plan / run go beat drum pan try and be someone / you didn’t pass your common entrance / couldn’t get an entrance….”

The song goes on to share the conversation between a ‘country’ yute and Melodic who encourages the yute to strive for more.  He also intersperses scenes of growing up flying kites and playing with gigs to show that he understands where this man is coming from.  I truly endorse this chune!

Broadcasting in amplified sound, here are the links for download.  Make sure you let Melodic know what you think about the chune via Twitter >>> @MELODICYOZA and get in touch for dubplates / jingles / features via frazahclection@gmail.com

P.S.  This chune is DJ Bigga Boss endorsed!

Mediafire Link:  https://www.mediafire.com/folder/oqajjpld56ajt/Melodic_Yoza

Salt-n-Peppa "Pushing It" On Tour!

One of the most successful female Pop-Rap groups of all time, Salt-n-Peppa, have reunited for over 20 international dates including the Wireless Festival (London, UK). The Hip Hop legends from Queens and Brooklyn, New York have been making music and entertaining audiences since 1985 and are one of the first all female Rap groups.

Speaking to Spinderella, the acclaimed DJ said “I am excited to be with my sisters; it’s been a long time coming.”  

Over two decades after their groundbreaking entrance into Hip Hop, the trio have won several awards, sold millions of albums and have disbanded the myth that only men can perform Hip Hop.  Spinderella, still sets the standard for “turntablisit” all over the world and is still a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.  The group collectively feels blessed to be in the industry after so many years and still have staying power although many other groups have come and gone.

Salt-n-Peppa will perform several dates as a part of their upcoming tour beginning Memorial Day weekend!

May 24^th – Riverfest Festival – Arkansas

June 6^th – New York

June 14^th – Thunder Valley Casino

June 20^th – Boston City Hall Plaza

July 4 to 6 – London – Wireless Festival

HOTTT New Medley from the HOTTT-ED ►►► Busy Signal – All In One!

Greetings! 

Denzel Washington is one of the best Actors and this is confirmed by his fans, and the academy who have awarded him countless accolades.  Mr. Washington will tell you that even though he’s won awards, he still trains with his acting coach, and he takes nothing for granted.  Busy Signal is the same with his craft.

As much as Busy has hit chune upon hit chune under his belt, he still hustles, practices, rehearses and goes hard as if he has nothing at all.  HOTTT-ED!  Busy’s newest release, called “All in One” is the type of medley / chune that once again, sets him ahead because of its tenacity.  You can hear the ‘growl’ in Busy’s voice which suggests that he is going to take what is his, which is the #1 spot. 

Musically, we go from Mtume’s “Juicy,” to Dr. Dre’s “Still” to “Next Episode” to Mobb Deep’s “Quiet Storm” to Nas’s “Hate Me Now” and there’s more!  In total, the medley runs 5:59 and at no point will your finger be tempted to hit the ‘next’ button!  Kaboom! 

If you’re a lyricist who is hooked on Busy’s prowess, believe me when I tell you, he will not, and he does not disappoint!  References to his hit chune Bumaye as well as artist Rihanna, Bounty Killer and Richie Spice are just too HOTTT, not to mention Turf Music dropping in the DMX “Ruff Riders Anthem” reference and Black Rob’s “Like Whoa!”  Musical Murdah!  Click the links below for the download, and hail the artist on Twitter >>> @busysignal_turf!

 

Watch the Medley here >>> http://youtu.be/2qtxVIiTKWk

 

 

HOTTT New Rap ►►► French Montana – Julius Caesar + Monsters of Rap!

Greetings! 

To appreciate, and I mean really appreciate the prowess of French Montana’s latest chune “Julius Caesar,” we first have to understand who the subject is! 

Julius Caesar was a Roman General, Statesman and Consul who ruled the Roman Empire, and lived from 100 BC to 44 BC.  He was great with military might and he was an excellent political strategist.  Julius lived a life of having the best linens and silks, the best food and the best entertainment, and was known for hosting Gladiator exhibitions in which men had to fight for their lives against other men and sometimes animals.  When it came to the pleasure of Julius, no expense was spared.  When French Montana performs his chune “Julius Caesar,” he’s speaking of the historic great in context of how he would be rolling in 2013! 

Breaking down the verse, French says “smoking on that grand daddy like it’s leak / then took 100 cars / Julius Caesar / shorty holds it down / she’s a keeper / on my neck / a hundred thousand / Julius Caesar / came up off the block trying to make a dollar / then I bought the drop / gave the b&^%$ a dollar / dirty money all my n&%%$# sling that powder / full equipped / my wheels got my game locked….”  Musically, French’s flow on this dirty south beat is what you’d expect.

French will be performing and rolling out his chariots on Thursday October 31^st as a part of the Monsters of Rap show taking place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.  Not only is French rolling but Jadakiss, Juelz Santana, DJ Enuff, DJ Young Chow and he HOT 97 crew will be in full effect.  This is a show not to miss!

Broadcasting in amplified sound, catch French and his latest chune at the links below, and make sure you check out www.monstersofrap.com for more info on the show!  You can also hail French on Twitter >>> @FrenchMonTanA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOTTT Hew Hip Hop ►►► Busta Rhymes ft. Bob Marley – Chris Lighty….

Greetings!

There is a natural mystic flowing through the air, and if you listen carefully you will hear the voice of Busta Rhymes as he laments over the passing of his good friend Chris Lighty. 

Chris was one of the most respected music industry executives who founded Violator Records which was also a management company as well as marketing company representing Hip Hop and Urban culture.  Chris was instrumental in directing the careers of several heavyweights including P. Diddy, and was instrumental in the way in which the world viewed and ultimately respected the work of the Urban art form.  He is the reason why entities such as Mountain Dew, Vitamin Water and more embrace the urban market.  Chris’s life ended too soon.

One of the people whom Chris touched deeply is Busta Rhymes.  So moved by his passing, Busta took to the studio and called on the spirit of a legend, Bob Marley, and came up with the moving tribute called “Chris Lighty.”

Using Bob’s song “Natural Mystic” as the backdrop, Busta raps:  “The moment of truths arrival / finding the proof in Bibles / Torahs / Qur’an’s etc / distribute the jewel through virals / quenching they thirst to see you / knowing they hurt and need you / sharing my pain through these words / in hopes to connect with people / providing space where there’s peace of mind while we conquer evil / visit a place where you see the sign and we can spark the cerebral / sick with the truth / when I’m in the booth like I caught the measles ….”

Though we were not there while the recording was made, Busta’s wish of hoping to connect with people is realized as the world takes to this record and puts a celly in the air in honor of Chris whose life ended a year ago….