Get to know the youngin’ John River. Knowing that OTA Live helped influence a dude like this really makes all the work we put in to that show worth it. Salute homie. The Calm is coming soon…

It’s not often you find young rappers that are wise beyond their years, but 18 year-old John River fits the description precisely. Having soaked up knowledge from the likes of JD Era and ANTHM, the Mississauga up-and-comer is well-learned, well-grounded, and has a clear vision for himself. Aside from being a student of hip-hop and possessing raw talent as an emcee, John River possesses a distinct sense of responsibility within his community – not only did he tackle the issue of gun violence in Toronto with “I Don’t Want To Be”, but he originally left behind a potential future in soccer in Europe, realizing that there were people back home that he could help out by kick-starting his rap career. Now, John River looks to make his mixtape debut with The Calm, a project he acknowledges will change his life “for better or for worse.” The Come Up Show caught up with John River to talk about The Calm, as well as paying dues and what he learned from JD Era and ANTHM, among other things. Read the full interview below.

M-Bomb: Welcome to The Come Up Show, it’s really good to have you!

John River: Thank you, thank you.

M-Bomb: Before we get to talking about your upcoming project, The Calm, I’d like to get some background information. How did you first get into hip-hop?

John River: I kind of always grew up around it. Growing up, I used to listen to OTA Live! with my brother. They played late on Flow [93.5FM], Ty Harper with Rez Digital. Michael Jackson was playing in my house 24/7… and then I don’t really know, Flow 93.5 I guess was really instrumental, just because it was really what we listened to 24/7, [along with watching] 106 & Park. It was a cultural thing, you know what I mean? I used to beatbox, too, but that was when I was like eight [laughs].

M-Bomb: When did you start rapping?

John River: I used to do public speaking. I was in French Immersion, so I did French public speaking, and English public speaking. I wasn’t really a good student… [laughs], I was a bad student, but I think beatboxing, mixed with the public speaking, came into one. I remember I always used to rap – freestyle, of course, always freestyling. But I was like eight, nine years old. There’s actually a video of me rapping when I was eight, like, “for all my n****s dying in the streets,” it’s hilarious. As time went on, it kind of just developed. I went to Clarkson Secondary School, when freestyling really started coming to the forefront, and I remember I was out one time and some guy had just gotten out of jail. And everybody was rapping, and I was like “yo, I rap! Blah, blah,” but I was in grade nine, and I was like four feet tall. And that’s when I really started to get my shine, rapping-wise, freestyling-wise. Everything was freestyling. I got into a studio for the first time [just] last summer. But we used to have freestyle Fridays at our school; we’d have like two hundred kids come out, and we’d freestyle for money. Proud to say [I went] undefeated [laughs]. But yeah, it was hella dope. It’s just part of the culture, you know?

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – THE CALM (PREVIEW)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – EVERYTHING I AM

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – EVERY EVENING (DIRECTED BY TRAYNE ADJEI & EGAN DAVIDSON)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – I DON’T WANT TO BE (DIRECTED BY TRAYNE)

Since 2006, SonReal has been lacing tracks with his smooth melodic rap flow and his harmonious vocals. This summer, he celebrated the release of his fifth mixtape, entitled Good News – available free on his website (sonreal.ca).

The Good News mixtape embodies the essence of SonReal’s past work, but showcases his progression as a multifaceted artist.

While most artists would be satisfied putting out a solid mixtape like Good News, SonReal remained in the studio to record his first collaboration album,The Closers, with fellow rapper, Rich Kidd.

From recording, to touring, to hosting RapCity, it’s easy to see why SonReal is one of the hardest working artists in the game.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with, SonReal – a polite and humble 26 year old who surely has a bright future ahead of him.

1. So, you’re in Vancouver today to promote your new album, The Closers, which is a collaboration with you and Rich Kidd. How many of these listening sessions have you done or are you planning to do?

We just did one other one – a place in Toronto called Proper Reserve. I mean, we’re going to do this one [at a hip-hop boutique in downtown Vancouver], the one we just did in Toronto and then we’ll be touring across Canada. Listening parties are something you just do once or twice, do a really good job of it and then that’s that. But then we’re going to get quite relentless with touring.

2. Where will you going on tour?

We’re starting in Vancouver, then Victoria, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto… we’re basically going to go all across Canada.

3. Will you be touring in America?

We haven’t actually started yet, but that’s our goal. That is the goal right now – breaking into the states in any way we can, whether that’s through touring or whatever. We’re already on 2DopeBoyz, Nah Right, and lots of the major blogs over there, but we haven’t made our mark with touring there yet, so that’s our next goal. That’s our next plan of attack.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW MUSIC: SONREAL & RICH KIDD – THE CLOSERS

It’s all coming together now…Been hearing Promise‘s “Make A Change” record on G98.7 lately but didn’t know it was an official release in collaboration with the Toronto Police. Interesting (and a good look). They all came together yesterday on G to discuss the violence in the city and here’s the full report courtesy of The Star. Peep the page for an acapella from Prom too (link at the bottom):

Hip hop hope: Police (Toronto’s finest) and Promise (the hip hop artist) release song.

After the summer of gun violence came the culture of silence. Now comes the hip hop track, the latest salvo from a police service looking to inspire and connect with the city and youth it serves.

After the Danzig shootings, the Toronto Police Service teamed up with local artist Promise Shepherd to release a song called “Make a Change.” It’s the service’s first venture into the biz, with lyrics that call for ownership of the city and an end to violence. Promise wrote the lyrics and performs the song with some help from artists Kaid and Liya.

From verse one of “Make a Change”: “It’s a cold world but some hot spots in my city, I find it hard to rep a block in my city. Screwface, T dot is my city, nowadays you don’t wanna be a cop in my city, or a citizen, witnessin’, caught in the city, movies ain’t the only things getting shot in my city.”

“Music has a way to transcend; we’re hoping it will be the most successful medium we’ve used to date to reach areas and see results,” Staff Insp. Tony Riviere, of 33 Division, told a crowd gathered at G98.7 FM Sunday afternoon.

“Until we can get cooperation from residents” in priority neighbourhoods where a lot of violence occurs, Riviere said, “we can’t reach a maximum impact. If music does that, great. If not, we find other mediums.”

The song is inspired by the fallout of this summer’s violence. After the Danzig homicides, Sgt. Rod Chung, also of 33 Division, was at home watching his kids dance and started thinking about the role music plays in how his children dress and speak.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: PERFECK STRANGERS FEAT. ZEYON “STAY ME” (DIRECTED BY KEV MAJOR)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: PROMISE “DON’T” (DIRECTED BY ANDRE REHAL)

She’s purdy.

One To Watch: Tanika Charles

After scoring a local radio hit in 2010 with her debut EP, the artist also known as Mz.Chawls is ready to drop two albums—an old-school full-band effort, and a hip-hop-flavoured joint with Slakah the Beatchild.

BY: DENISE BENSON

Who: Toronto-born Tanika Charles is a vocal powerhouse who beautifully bridges soul, blues, Motown, hip-hop, and pop. Raised in Edmonton by a music-loving family, Charles sang from childhood and was well on that path until she chose, as a young adult, to follow a boyfriend into farm life.

Upon realizing that country living wasn’t for her, Charles moved to Vancouver where she met South African-Canadian singer Zaki Ibrahim, with whom she would later perform and tour as a back-up vocalist. A return to Toronto, Parkdale specifically, led to more singing gigs, for the likes of Bedouin Soundclash, among others.

Charles may have first caught eyes and ears in this supporting role but, since 2010, she has stepped to centre stage, wowing audiences with her rich voice and a sound that’s both steeped in history and absolutely contemporary. Backed by a skilled band dubbed The Wonderfuls, she performs alternately as Tanika Charles and soul diva Mz.Chawls.

“Mz.Chawls is my alter ego,” Charles explains by email. “She rears her head when she’s mad or hurt. She’s my inner self, coming out to vocalize the pain, the learning, the yearning that comes from within, with love lost or difficult relationships.”
Charles has parlayed her inner pain and her enormous talent into standout performances at high-profile venues and events including Harbourfront Centre, Manifesto Festival, NXNE, The CNE, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. She’s also opened for the likes of Macy Gray, Mayer Hawthorne, Nneka, Johnny Reid, and Estelle.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: TANIKA CHARLES & THE WONDERFULS “I AM YOUR WOMAN” (DIRECTED BY MARK VALINO)

Nice little interview piece Blake put together with L.A.’s Sneaker Pimps.

If you’ve been fortunate to attend this years Sneaker Pimps tour then you have experienced Blake Carrington. Find out how The Toronto Canada/Buffalo NY representer is blazing a path to become legendary.

www.blakecarringtonsworld.com
@carringtonworld

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Blake Carrington – Legendary (Directed by LXXXVIII Films)

Previously: NEW MUSIC: BLAKE CARRINGTON “LEGENDARY” (DJ PACK) (PROD. RIC NOTES)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Blake Carrington (Interview w/ 24WiredTV)

Blake talks influences, differences and other stuff with LA’s Next In Show.

Turn that interview audio up man.

“Failure” drops New Years Eve.

www.blakecarringtonworld.com

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Blake Carrington (Interview w/ 24WiredTV)

SonReal gets some hometown love in this chop-up with Van City Vogue.

Van City Vogue provides a platform for fashion, entertainment, events and talent in Vancouver. Keep up to date on what’s happening in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With information full of up and coming local events, the hottest new fashion trends and where to find them, along with amazing beauty tips.

Visit www.vancityvogue.com or follow the site on Twitter @vancityvogue

The video was produced for Van City Vogue by Carl Haering and features the talents of Megan Edwards (host), Jeffery Ho (makeup), and Sharon and Kherry (Van City Vogue).

The interview takes place backstage at The Fortune Sound Club – Vancouver BC

Previously: VIDEO: Rich Kidd & SonReal – The Closers EP (Episode 01)

Previously: INTERVIEW: SONREAL W/ EXCLAIM MAGAZINE

Previously: NEW MIXTAPE: RICH KIDD “WE ON SOME RICH KIDD SHIIIIIIT VOL. 6 – CITY ON MY BACK”

Jelly spits something for SBYV.

“King’s” out now and you can catch her rockin’ the 106 & York stage tomorrow alongside JD Era, Rich Kidd, Shi Wisdom, JD Keyz and more.

Previously: NEW VIDEO: JellyTooFly “Hear Ye” (Directed by Fully Loaded Films)

Shi blesses the cover of the latest issue of Share. Here’s the excerpt and peep the full article below.

Local singer/songwriter Renee ‘Shi’ Wisdom is on a roll. Her song, “R.I.P. (I’m Ready For Ya)”, which she co-wrote with Toronto alum, Drake, appears on Rita Ora’s debut album, and sits high atop the UK music charts. And she recently launched her EP, “LVSPK”, at an event that sold out in the first 72 hours. Not bad for someone who only started to seriously focus on her music career over the past two years.

“The real world is where I should have been to begin with,” says the promising artist. She says she realized that she belonged in the arts world, more specifically, working in music, and the former York University student who majored in French couldn’t be happier.

“I am completely fluent and I love the language but music is where I want to be.”

Wisdom focuses on a different type of language these days – music – which she creatively presents in her latest EP. LVSPK is a very honest collection of material in which she experiments with different musical stylings. She admits that the collection is a cohesive sound that allows the audience to sit down and listen to the way it is performed – it’s something to be analyzed.

With no formal vocal training and some lessons in piano, a love of music appears to course through her veins.

“My grandfather talked to me and gave me advice about the business,” she says. And her grandfather is none other than Jimmy Wisdom who was part of the musical duo Bob & Wisdom in the 60s. Wisdom owns and operates Wisdom’s Barber Shop and Beauty Salon in the Eglinton & Dufferin area.

“I always knew Shi was musical,” says the soft-spoken barber who has been cutting hair in this city for over 40 years and who now finds comfort singing in his church choir. It wasn’t until recently that Jimmy Wisdom sat down and listened to her music which is ironic because she admits that she never really heard her grandfather perform until recently when he started singing in the church.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: JD ERA – MOUNT OLYMPUS FEAT. SHI WISDOM (TEASER)

Previous: NEW MUSIC: KJ FEAT. SHI WISDOM “SWEET UPP” (PROD. GMF)

SonReal + Exclaim Magazine choperation.

By Chris Dart

Vernon, BC-born, Vancouver-based MC/singer SonReal is very much a man of his time. Even ten years ago, Son would have struggled to find an audience for his laidback, introspective songs about the sort of small struggles that make up our daily lives. Now, in the post-Drake/post-J. Cole era, the t”houghtful, rapping everyman” has become its own hip-hop archetype. What differentiates SonReal from the rest of his subgenre, however, is how well it’s executed. On new mixtape Good News, which is really an album, SonReal proves that he’s a diverse MC. As a singer, he may not be R&B star calibre, but his whiskey-soaked rasp is more than enough to carry songs like “I Don’t Give a Shit” and “Jerk.” SonReal is, in turns, sensitive, cocky and funny, and he writes his own hooks. He has all the qualifications for the job of rapper-as-pop star.

Things are looking good for Vancouver’s SonReal. Not only does the MC/singer have a new mixtape, entitled Good News, making the rounds on the major download sites, he also has two more releases, including an EP with Toronto producer/MC Rich Kidd, set to drop in the next six months. With a sound that’s more polished than ever and an almost ridiculous work rate, Son thinks is ready to take things to the next level.

Do you think people who might have been on the fence with you a little bit might be coming around with this record?
I think that with any new artist, everyone needs some time to decide if they really like you. Even me, when I hear a new artist, it takes me a while to be sold on them. I really feel like Good News is that kind of album that’s almost undeniable. I kind of feel like Canada needs this right now.

How come?
You look at my city: there’s been nobody to come out of my city since Swollen Members in the early 2000s. I feel like this record is an important record for Vancouver. It’s just great to have some of these amazing DJs in my city come up to me and say, “We haven’t seen anything like this in a long time.” I think Canada needs a record like this because hip-hop’s changed. You don’t need to conform to being hard anymore, being gully, having anything to prove. This record is just really honest and it relates to everyday people.

Tell me more about the idea of representing Vancouver.
We don’t really have anyone doing things on an international level. We have some great artists from my city doing their thing ― Snak the Ripper and guys like that ― but we don’t have a Drake or K’Naan. Even K-Os lives in Vancouver, but you wouldn’t be like, “K-Os equals Vancouver.” We’re trying to build the Vancouver brand and sound. Vancouver’s a very laidback place and a very open-minded place, and I think that’s what I bring to the table representing Vancouver.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: VIDEO: SONREAL (INTERVIEW W/ CLOTTED ARTERY)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: SONREAL – UP UP UP (DIRECTED BY JAN SCHUSTER)

Previous: NEW ALBUM: SONREAL “GOOD NEWS”