Ty Harper | Music,Video | Sunday, August 18th, 2013
I already got chips on this being one of the best hip-hop albums to come out of Toronto in the next 365 days.
FREEDOM WRITERS TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ‘NOW’ IN OCTOBER 2013
Over the past two years, the Toronto hip hop collective Freedom Writers (Tona, Adam Bomb, Frankie Payne, Theo 3, Progress and Big Sproxx) have successfully released the singles ‘Wake Up’, ‘Arizona Bay’ and ‘For The Change’. The six-man collective are set to release their debut album, titled ‘NOW’.
The 17-track album highlights the inspired production of in-house producer Big Sproxx and the socially conscious rhymes of the five core emcees that make the Freedom Writers. Toronto-based artists Ian Kamau, Ayah, and T.R.A.C.K.S. of IRS all provide guest appearances, reinforcing the sounds and messages the Freedom Writers have united to deliver.
In my expert opinion all these verses need to be longer. Thanks. Shouts to the crew.
Served up to you char-broiled, strait off an open flame, the “F-DUB” collective brings you its latest instalment of pure, unadulterated artistry: The Grille. Local 24 hour diner The Grille has played second home to The Freedom Writers for the past 2 years whether the occasion be an all-night studio session, video shoot, a heated hip hop debate or just straight politicking. Filmed in one take Theo3, Tona, Adam Bomb, Frankie Payne and Progress terrorize the raw and gritty backdrop provided by in house producer/engineer/director Big Sproxx with the perfect blend of lyricism and punchlines that is sure to have listeners bopping their heads and twisting their grilles. Special shout out to our favourite waitress, Jackie aka Ja-kay… Woosh!
That dude Adam Bomb chops it up with Chedo from The Come Up Show. Full Adam Bomb solo album coming soon…! Def looking forward to that man. Shouts to this dude, Sproxx, Freedom Writers crew and of course NBS fam.
Adam Bomb is ⅓ of the Juno award winning group Naturally Born Strangers, and part of the super group The Freedom Writers. He was listed as one of the Top Greatest Canadian Rappers Ever by CBC Music. Adam has been part of groups for most of his career as an artist and he’s releasing his original solo album titled Live from Larstone produced by Big Sproxx.
We went through the night that Adam Bomb won a Juno Award for Best Rap Recording of the year and the bumps in the road he’s had in his career. Adam talks about what we can expect from his highly anticipated album Live from Larstone, which is his first album as a solo artist.
Each and every Wednesday we’ll be uploading a brand new interview with a guest we feel that you should know about. If you love podcasts subscribe at the options below.
Check out the new book “Stop Playing By Their Rules: An Artist Guide On How To Market To Fans” bit.ly/2kgGzEV
After a string of viral joints, Theo grabs 3 of ’em and drops an official 3-track EP called Double Life (including the full version of the title track). Like I said before….bars.
THEO3 combines the excitement and raw energy of unbelievable punchlines and the socially aware songwriting skills of an artist deeply entrenched in the fabric of his city. Hailing from Toronto, THEO3 has been featured on Worldwide releases from Audio Research records (A Trak) alongside Masta Ace & featured on tracks with Drake, Shad, Kenn Starr & Freedom Writers.
Producer-extraordinaire Big Sproxx drops his highly anticipated album, Born Here Raised Here. Literally some of the dopest MCs out of the city ever all on one album, complimented by that signature Sproxx sound. “City On My Back” specifically also feature a verse from the late King Reign. RIP.
Congrats to Sproxx and everyone on this album man. Thank you for all your positive contributions to this city. Respect.
Born & Raised in Rexdale, Toronto comes the multi-talented, veteran producer Big Sproxx.
Armed with an EMU SP1200, akai MPC 60, akai S950, ensoniq ASR-10 & akai MPC 1000 Sproxx continues to keep that Golden Era, Booming sound alive through his music.
Sproxx, in-house producer for the collective Freedom Writers continues to work with a who’s who of Canadian alumni and American Hip Hop icons.
More new audio / visuals from Frankie Payne’s latest release, Message in a Bottle.
Toronto based, emcee and vocalist Frankie Payne of the Freedom Writers collective is set to release his new album titled “Message In A Bottle”.
Back once again Frankie delivers his unique blend of Revolutionary Soul and Street Wise Poetry backed by music from Big Tweeze and Freedom Writers in-house producer Big Sproxx.
The 13 song album Message In A Bottle touches on a wide range of topics and messages while exploring a fresh musical blend of hard hitting beats, smoothed out soul and laid back grooves.
Stand out tracks include Justice, Different (ft Tanika Charles), Half A Quarter, What U Doing, Mirror Man and the title track Message In A Bottle.
Free People Association and Proletarian Music would like to present the video inspired by tracks from the album, JUSTICE & HALF A QUARTER.
Ty Harper | Music,Video | Thursday, August 11th, 2016
Directed by Big Sproxx.
New Frankie visuals and title track off the new project.
Produced by Big Sproxx.
Toronto based, veteran emcee and vocalist Frankie Payne of the Freedom Writers collective is set to release his new album titled “Message In A Bottle”.
Once again Frankie delivers a unique blend of Revolutionary Soul and Street Wise Poetry backed by music from Big Tweeze and Freedom Writers in-house producer Big Sproxx. The 13 song album Message In A Bottle touches on a wide range of topics and messages while exploring a fresh musical blend of hard hitting beats, smoothed out soul and laid back grooves.
Stand out tracks include Justice, Different (ft Tanika Charles), Half A Quarter, What U Doing, Mirror Man and the title track Message In A Bottle.
Free People Association and Proletarian Music present the tile track and video for Message In A Bottle.
Comments Off on NEW VIDEO: Frankie Payne “Message In A Bottle” (Directed by Big Sproxx)
Urbanolgy chops it up with one of the city’s nicest.
When Matthew Progress takes the stage, it’s not just about him, it’s about the gang.
Headlining one of Toronto’s monthly hip-hop shows, The Hustle, at the local Drake Hotel, Matthew Progress follows fellow local emcees F.E.L.N. and Prince Rose on the line-up. He jumps on stage in a white beanie and shirt that bleeds to red under the spotlight overhead.
Everyone in the room piles up at the edge of the stage. As he grips the mic, his rough voice cuts through the room in rapid fire verse, with DJ Bambii behind him handling the rhythm.
Progress calls out, “A lot of people I call family are in this room right now, and that’s the gang. Make some noise if you’re in the gang.”
The crowd knows exactly what to do.
The 29-year-old Toronto rapper has gone from freestyling in the corners of his high school and working with the city’s Freedom Writers collective, to landing mentions on popular American websites, but he’s still maintained a genuine connection with other local artists.
“He’s someone that we’ve gotten to know,” says Crossword, one of the organizers behind The Hustle. “He’s out at events; he supports.”
At least a third of the show-goers inside the venue are a familiar face to Matthew Progress.
Before the show, from his seat on a couch in the hall, he either smiles, tilts his chin or stands to greet everyone with a ‘hey, what’s up’ as they walk past; then he directs them downstairs where electro hip-hop beats reverberate.
“I guess it comes from just doing different things in different spaces,” he says, about his popularity.
Any day Tona drops some newness is a good day in my books. Looking forward to COPPING this one and really taking it in. You can’t deny this dude’s contributions to the scene so click the link and spend the $9.99 as it’s sure to be worth the money.
“Though the saying dates back to the year 27 B.C., ‘Carpe Diem’ is an exhortation to live fully in the moment without brooding over the past or worrying about the future.” – DJ Booth
Toronto-native, Tona, returns with ‘CARPE DIEM’, his first solo project since the release of Silversrping Crescent in 2013. Heralded by the single “Long Winded Road”, the 13-track album features hard line yet harmonious production courtesy of longtime collaborators Lyve and Rich Kidd, as well as Grammy-nominated Paperboy Fabe and Tona himself. Etched with personal tales of self-accomplishment, relationships and hometown pride, CARPE DIEM shows a side of the Toronto vet that has yet to shine. In classic hip-hop bar-stacking form, this album shows growth in content and lyrical maturity that seizes the musical landscape yesterday, today and tomorrow. It’s a rare window into the complex artist and person that is Tona.
Tona has had an illustrious career in the Canadian and international hip-hop market over the past several years, both as an independent artist and in associated groups Freedom Writers and Naturally Born Strangers. Tona has consistently created a body of work and professional foundation worthy of media attention from outlets such as Much Music, Exclaim!, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)., Source and XXL Magazine. Additionally, Tona has also shared the stage with critically acclaimed hip hop greats – M.O.P., Nas and Wu-Tang duo Redman and Method Man to name a few. Currently, Tona is a key collaborator in the legendary Billy Danze’s (of M.O.P.) We Build Hits movement, which is an international coalition of artists and producers chosen for their drive, creativity and ability to stand strong in today’s competitive music market.
Most recently, Tona has been recognized for his contributions to a 2014 JUNO Award nominated ‘Rap Recording of the Year’, acknowledging his commitment to artistic and technical excellence in all aspects of music. With ‘CARPE DIEM’ in the stores today, Tona will continue the year with touring and collaborative projects throughout 2015.
