Get to know TLanez in this feature by MTVHive.com:

It’s likely that, at this very moment, you do not know rapper/singer Tory Lanez. Minus a following he’s culled in his hometown of Toronto, and minus being briefly nudged into the spotlight in 2010 when Justin Bieber cribbed a few of his lines in a song, he’s mostly an unknown. But anonymity appears to be losing its grip on him.

Last month, the 20-year-old released his first proper single, the undeniable “Hate Me on the Low,” an effortlessly melodic track that managed to sound both watery and metallic all at once. Blogs swooned. Early this week, he released a second track, “Fourteens and 40?s,” which slows the best parts of Method and Mary’s classic “You’re All I Need” into a near-wobbling-but-completely-controlled crawl. The praise multiplied itself.

The story behind it — at least the immediate story behind it — is simple enough:

At 14, young Tory was pushed away from the care of his grandmother and father (“I just saw life a little differently than they did,” he cryptically responds when asked why he was put out). He moved into an apartment in Toronto with his older brother and three of his older brother’s friends that had also found their ways out of the reach of their parents. And they did what kids without guidance tend to do (hoodrat shit, basically). Thus, the song.

But it feels heavier than it should be. Lanez’s otherwise buoyant voice drags its feet through the gravel, his brags more aggressive and confrontational than he flexed on “Hate Me on the Low.” It hints at the devastating the back story that set his rap career in motion.

READ FULL FEATURE HERE

Previous: NEW MUSIC: TORY LANEZ “FOURTEEN & 40?S” (PROD. THE MEKANICS & TORY LANEZ)

Quick likkle feature on my man Tona courtesy of TheSource.com’s International Spotlight. Silverspring Crescent June 18th!!!

Hailing from Ghana Africa, Kwame Nantwi’s name, “Tona”, was given to him because of
his distinctive tone of voice, which he uses not only to project his rhymes, but also a unique style that transcends the typical boundaries of the Hip hop genre.

By the time he recorded his first EP, Tona appeared in the 2004 CBC documentary
Rhyme Pays: Hip Hop and the Marketing of Cool, a one hour special for CBC MARKETPLACE that discussed hip hop from a marketing standpoint. The film featured Russell Simmons, Damon Dash and was scored by producer, Agile, (Nas, Methodman). Also featured was Tona, one of three rappers invited to battle in the film, performing his original track, “Handle Your B.I.”

In 2005, Tona launched his own licensing company, Da District Entertainment, a tribute
to his home district of Scarborough.

“Hip hop in Scarborough feels like the foundation of the culture to me.” says Tona, “You couldn’t go no where in our city and not interact with it some how. Even if you didn’t understand it, it was there – the music, the streets, the culture. I love my city for that.”

READ FULL FEATURE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: TONA – SILVERSPRING CRESCENT PROMO

Michael Nguyen chops it up with Richie about working with Young Guru, honesty in the genre, and more for HiphopDX.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.2112/title.rich-kidd-talks-toronto-s-hip-hop-submitting-beats-to-kanye-west-jay-z

Previously: NEW MUSIC: Maestro Fresh Wes – Gladiator feat. Rich Kidd (Prod. Lord Quest)

Shi chops it up with NOW in preparation for her performance tomorrow night. Bom bom.

The Billboard charts are full of superstars who started out writing hits for other people: Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Lady Gaga. We perceive their transition into the spotlight as a promotion, and the end goal. But Toronto neo-soul singer Shi Wisdom sees it differently. 

“For me, becoming an established writer is more of a priority than becoming a performer,” says Wisdom, born Renee Wisdom. “I will always perform and sing. But that in itself [doesn’t guarantee] longevity. It’s not easy to stay relevant in the scene for many years as a performer, whereas writing is a gift that stays with you.”

So far, she’s doing okay. As well as penning her own songs, Wisdom co-wrote Roc Nation star Rita Ora’s debut single, R.I.P., with fellow Torontonian Drake.

But it’s her rich, versatile singing – part laid-back Erykah Badu, part rolling Beyoncé trill (two artists she’s covered), part edgy je ne sais quoi in her lower register – that’s made her a sought-after headliner.

Wisdom was first an opener at The Known Unknown, a music series started five years ago in the small Bloor and Ossington club Lambadina by Tika Simone. Recognizing the need to spotlight local urban artists, Simone originally called it Intimate & Interactive and intended to perform herself before realizing her calling was showcasing others.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: EVENT: THE KNOWN [UN]KNOWN X THE MAIN INGREDIENT PRESENT SHI WISDOM LIVE IN CONCERT (FRIDAY, MAY 24TH)

Leading up to his gig at The Big Ticket this Friday night Junia chops it up with Urbanology about what he’s been up to and all that good stuff.

Junia-T, one half of the renowned Toronto hip-hop duo Smash Brovaz, has taken on a new serious role as a producer lately and is making noise with his distinct smooth sound. The multi-talented Sauga spitter is set to headline this month’s Big Ticket, Toronto’s premier hip-hop monthly event, to show the city what he’s been working on.

YOU’VE BEEN BUSY. TELL US WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY? The Smash Brovaz album release was a success. It’s still growing across the world. We’re just gearing up for new music for the rest of the year. Aside from that, me as a producer, that is my focus for this year. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of music come out this year that is produced by me. So far, Veronica Domingues’ album is coming out, which is produced all by me, it’s actually an EP. It’s called Just Chill… I’ve really been connecting with dudes on the come up and dudes that are really doing it, which is exciting, to be a part of the beginning phases of that.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE ROLE AS THE PRODUCER? I’ve always been producing. I’ve been producing since the first Smash Brovaz album came out like eight years ago. I spent so much time sharpening the performance skills, the writing skills, I was always progressively producing, but I never made myself available as a producer and I feel like I missed out on opportunities to work with some people in the past, because I didn’t really step forward with it… I went to LA and got to really play my music out there and that’s where my eyes really opened. Just seeing their reaction to my style, because I have a very distinct sound in terms of what I prefer to create. As much as there are modern trends in music, it may mildly influence where I’m at creatively, but it doesn’t take away from what my production style is. I was really happy to see people react in a positive way to what I naturally create.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: J SHILTZ FEAT. JUNIA-T “FROM THE SOUL” (DIRECTED BY EVAN CINIELLO)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: CHASE N. CASHE “DIE WITH M$NEY” (PROD. RICH KIDD & JUNIA-T)

Pretty cool and in-depth APB interview via musicbliss.net – a site known, well, for its in-depth interviews.

Get it at http://www.musicbliss.net/#!theairplaneboys/c6c8

And check their latest album “Brave New World” @ http://theairplaneboys.com

Previously: NEW VIDEO: The Airplane Boys – Brave (Directed by Warren Credo)

Melanie gets comedic with Eric & Jeff and Bonnaraoo.com.

We know your pain. We know what you’re going through. We’ve been in your shoes. (It’s true: last year’s Bonnraoo took such a toll on our footwear that we actually ditched them on the way to the airport.)

We know that life can be difficult and hard to navigate, so we – your neighborhood hip-hop sketch comedians – are here to lend a hand, an ear, and ultimately some advice on how to solve any and all issues you may have, with our new video series, Rap Lines!

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Bonnaroo 2013 takes place June 13th to 16th in Manchester, TN.

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is four of the best days ever. 80,000 happy campers. 700 acres of Tennesee nature. 150 epic performances. 10+ stages of music. Several dozen comedians. An escape into excitement. Music. Art. Discoveries.

But Bonnaroo is more than a music festival. If you love music, laughter, animals, dance parties, coolness, friends and good stuff, Bonnaroo 365 will keep you feeling the vibe all year round. Enter a world of music discovery, incredible characters, soulful inspiration, and flat-out ridiculousness. Most importantly, be sure to join in on the fun, conversation, and free stuff.

Bonnaroo 365 – Your year round ticket to performances, artists, happiness, adventures, nirvana, couscous, over-joyousness, sharing, dancing, hyperbolic verbiage, system overload…

Rap Lines With Eric & Jeff | Ep. 2 Feat. Melanie Fiona | Bonnaroo365

http://www.youtube.com/user/bonnaroo365

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Bad” (Cover)

Bishop’s been in the acting game for well over a minute – most prominently/memorably in the movie Narc – so as per any actor promo-ing their upcoming project, TGM chops it up with Horror Society about his latest project “Chupacabra vs The Alamo” which premieres this Saturday at 9/8c on the SyFy Channel.

Aside from Narc, the television series Platinum was your first big opportunity in front of the camera. What was it like juggling rapping and acting at the same time?
I don’t really think of it as juggling really. Both of these careers are things I’m really passionate about, so I spend a lot of my time doing both. I can literally work a 12 hour day on set for a film or tv show, then go straight to my studio for another 12 if I have something specific project I’m working on. I think for me, the two go hand in hand so I will always have both of them as a part of my day to day routines.

Now for Chupacabra vs. The Alamo… How did you go about landing this role and what made you pursue this opportunity in the first place?
I was in Vancouver shooting another move called “Evil Feed” and my agent had gotten me an audition for Chupacabras vs. The Alamo. I love the city of Vancouver and wanted to stay longer, so here was my opportunity Once I learned that I would be in the same movie with the legendary Erik Estrada, I was locked in. lol. I used to have a “Chips” big wheel with this guys face on it. I used to hear stories about these chupacabras and so the whole idea of psycho, alien, blood sucking dogs attacking a city seemed like it would be a fun movie to do. It didn’t take much convincing. lol

Can you tell readers a little bit about your character in the film?
I play Gordo and I’m one of Spiders right hand men in his gang that he leads. Brent Mclaren and myself are his go to guys as far as advice and anything else gang related. I’m a bit of a trouble maker but when it’s time to fight, I’m ready to go. There’s a bit of comic relief between my character and Brents as well.

Read the full interview @ http://www.horrorsociety.com/2013/03/21/interview-rapper-and-actor-bishop-brigante/

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Bishop Brigante “Trying People 2012″

Melanie talks new album and the success of her past year with That Grape Juice.

“The MF Life” is available now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/RwhnTs

www.melaniefionaworld.com

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona (Interview w/ HipHollywood)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Liberation Tour – Atlanta” (BTS)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona feat. B.O.B. “Change The Record” (Directed by Jerome ‘Rome’ Kruin)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Liberation Tour – Boston” (BTS)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona (Interview w/ The New York Post)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona Live @ The 2012 BET Awards

Gangis talks about his Raekwon/IceH2O deal and why it didn’t pan out + his new direction, with TorontoRappers.com.

Previously: NEW VIDEO: S Dawt – Money ‘Til Da End feat. Camoflauge