So a couple weeks ago I was chillin’ outside on a bench having lunch, taking in a book and just catching some sun. Across the little square I was sitting at I see a female rapper recording what looked to be a small-scale music video (the entire crew was one dude). I just watched for a little bit (noticed the Wu t-shirt and was amazed at their legacy, but I digress) and then went about my biz. Doubt they even noticed me and I just forgot about it after to be honest.

So I check the Cityonmyback email today and see a random email from someone named Krash, click on the video and have a “ahhhhhhhh, it’s all coming together now” moment when I see the shot I witnessed in real life (in front of the waterfall). Cool!

I’m not posting this because of this coincidence but because I can feel the purity in the music and can see the potential. Consider it the intro.

KRASH – ORANGE OFFICIAL VIDEO off her debut mixtape THE SPECTRUM
download the mixtape 4 FREE 
http://www.datpiff.com/Krash-The-Spec…
Produced by Kelly Portis

Darren Anthony chops it up with AnancyMag.com in preparation for his 2-show run of Secrets of a Black Boy on July 27th.

DARREN ANTHONY: FROM DYSLEXIC TO SUCCESSFUL WRITER

Four years ago Darren Anthony staged his first play The Secrets of a Black Boy. It was a success. The play was directed by his sister Trey Anthony, the creator of the hit play and TV series Da Kink in My Hair. This month Mr. Anthony is re-staging his play. In a telephone interview, we talked about his road to success.

Q: How do you stay grounded when your first play was so successful?

A: I surround myself with my peers and the people who I grew up with. I stay connected to my sister Trey. They uplift me. They make sure I don’t get too big headed. When you are successful you suddenly have a lot of new friends. You need to know who is real and who is not. Your old friends tend to be true.

Q: What is pulling you more these days, the acting or the writing?

A: I love writing and creating content. I have a lot to tell. The power of the pen means that I can have several different voices to tell stories. I find that acting is a bit one-dimensional – you have to be the character that is written on the page. You can’t vary it. Acting is also a roller-coaster. You have to be ‘on’ when you are playing the character, and then it can be hard to come back down. For me the pen has more power.

Q:You work with young people as a child and youth worker. How do you encourage black boys to stay in school?

A: I share my story with them. I wasn’t always successful. I was labeled as dyslexic in school and I had to repeat a grade. I tried to use sports to define myself, as it was easier than trying to keep up with my academically smart sisters. I stayed in school thanks to my sisters and my mother. They believed in me and knew I could do better. Now I travel around with Trey, and her plays. I would never have gotten that opportunity if I had not stayed in school. When I meet new people or situations, I know I can handle it, because I can think. I have school to thank for that.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: DARREN ANTHONY – SECRETS OF A BLACK BOY (PROMO)

Nice surprise watching this trailer and “Waving Flag” comes on. Huge. Really looking forward to seeing this.

Previous: NEW VIDEO: K’NAAN – HURT ME TOMORROW

Newness from Luuie. Cash or debit only please.

Previous: NEW MUSIC: LUU BREEZE “U CASA MI CASA” (PROD. CHINKY P)

Directed by Sixteen Pads Films.

Shouts to Lotus!

“Love Won’t Be” is not the typical ‘love song gone wrong’, but is an improvised break-up song based on a relationship that went sour due to drug addiction. This highly vulnerable video is a testimony to the subtleties of facial language and the intensity it can speak.  The song is off the highly acclaimed album Something You Feel by Jai Nitai Lotus, available at  http://jainitailotus.bandcamp.com/. The album features the likes of Georgia Anne Muldrow, Declaime, the Narcicyst, and others.

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Jai Nitai Lotus “Alice Ramakrsna” (Georgia Anne Muldrow Remix)

Nice joint from the youngin’ Devon Tracy.

Previous: NEW VIDEO: DEVON TRACY “ROSES” (DIRECTED BY BIG CHASE)

Shouts to Francis Underwood tho!

New joint from Tasha the Amazon. Still not sure about her artist name (lol) but she’s about to be a problem none the less. “Scalleywags” still in heavy ro.

Tasha the Amazon releases her second single “Tru Life” produced by Bass & Bakery. Bump this shit loud – at a party or a riot. Tru Life is the latest release from “FiDiYootDem”, Tasha the Amazon’s debut mixtape set to release in September 2013.

Download at www.tashatheamazon.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tashatheamazon
FB: www.Facebook.com/tashatheamazon

Produced by Tasha + Danthrax of Bass & Bakery |www.Bassandbakery.com

Previous: INTERVIEW: TASHA THE AMAZON W/ NOISEY.COM (VICE)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: TASHA THE AMAZON – SCALLYWAGS FEAT. COLA OF WIFETAKER (DIRECTED BY COLIN G. COOPER)

Latest project from Big Lean includes appearances from Juicy J, Harvey Stripes, Andreena Mill and Chief Keef + production from Boi-1da, BurdxKeys, Beat Merchant, Pro Logic and more. Full tracklist after the jump.

Get it @ http://www.sendspace.com/file/i4afg5

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Big Lean – My Lifestyle feat. Chief Keef (Directed by DNA Cinema)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: R.O.Z. & Big Lean – Rollin’ (Directed by SilveX)

(more…)

So if you haven’t heard Zaki’s “Every Opposite” album made it on Polaris’ 2013 short-list, and AUX-TV kinda threw together a short piece on how her, and how the single “Something In The Water” came together.

Shouts to Ms. Ibrahim! Well deserved!

Subscribe to AUX now: http://bit.ly/11yrReU
Zaki Ibrahim’s “Every Opposite” could be the year’s most surprising inclusion on the Polaris Music Prize short list. Not because of its sound, which is both bravely futuristic and classically soulful, but its atypical route to visibility. Originally released only in Ibrahim’s current home base of South Africa, “Every Opposite” has found its way to Canadian ears via word of mouth and an online release, carried by an enthusiastic swell for its unique globe-trotting R&B aesthetic and Ibrahim’s rich vocal layering. At one point a major-label backed artist based out of Toronto, Ibrahim decamped to her father’s native South Africa following her last release, 2008’s “Eclectica (Episodes in Purple)” EP, then quietly built “Every Opposite while traveling between Cape Town, London, and Toronto.

Subscribe to AUX on YouTube: http://bit.ly/11yrReU
Read AUX Magazine on your iPad or iPhone for free: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/aux-m…
Daily news, interviews, and more: http://www.aux.tv/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/auxtv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/auxtv
Tumblr: http://auxtv.tumblr.com

Previously: NEW MUSIC: Catalist feat. Zaki Ibrahim “Call Answer” (Prod. Catalist)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: ZAKI IBRAHIM – GO WIDDIT (DIRECTED BY ZANDI TISANI)

Previously: NEW ALBUM: Zaki Ibrahim – Every Opposite

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Zaki Ibrahim – The Do (Directed by Christian Denslow)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Zaki Ibrahim “Heart Beat” + “Explode” w/ LV & Message To Bears

Nice to hear from Mr. Brigante. Hook’s nutso. Produced by Tre Mission.

in studio performance, shot and edited by Visual Disco @stephverschuren

Previous: NEWS: BISHOP TALKS “CHUPACABRA VS. THE ALAMO” MOVIE AIRING THIS SATURDAY (INTERVIEW W/ HORROR SOCIETY)