The MF Life is out TOMORROW. F*ck a download. BUY THAT!

Grammy-winner Melanie Fiona sings Brooklyn’s praises in anonymity
But R&B artist’s new album ‘The MF Life’ could set her on path to stardom

Melanie Fiona gets a lot of double takes when she’s out and about in her Fort Greene neighborhood.

“People never think it’s actually me,” laughs the 29-year-old R&B singer.

“They’re like, ‘You look just like Melanie Fiona … but Melanie Fiona would never be on the G train, and if she was, she would have four security guards around her.’”

There’s no entourage in sight as Fiona dips into a bowl of lentil soup in Zaytoon’s Middle Eastern restaurant on Myrtle Ave.

The Canadian-born Guyanese beauty has been living under the radar in Brooklyn since the beginning of February.

“I ride the train. I run outside. I go get my own groceries and toiletries at the drugstore,” she says with a shrug.

That comfortable anonymity is about to change.

Even after her first album, 2009’s “The Bridge,” earned two Grammy nominations, Fiona remained relatively unknown.

Her star continued to rise after she toured with Alicia Keys in 2010 and scored management under Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation.

But then Cee Lo Green invited her to collaborate on the 2011 hit single “Fool For You,” which won two Grammys last month.

And with her hotly anticipated sophomore album “The MF Life” out Tuesday, Fiona is poised to become a household name like her idols Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona – Creating The MF Life (Part 1)

Pick up this week’s edition of Exclaim to check out their interview with Jus Randy (f.k.a. May One 9 from Brassmunk), or just read below. Every time I see this, I get sad that they broke up.

By Ryan B. Patrick

“Whatever happened to May One 9 from Brassmunk?” As one of the O.G.s in the Canadian hip-hop game, the rechristened Jus Randy is back and very aware of what got him here. A past member of the Juno-nominated (and now defunct) Scarborough, ON underground group, Jus Randy looks back at that time fondly. “I definitely had a good time. We did our thing, travelled across Canada, worked with different artists and did our thing.” As Jus Randy, the rapper brings that wisdom and grown man sensibilities with Infobahn, a thoughtful, satirical look at how social media and digital communications intersect, and have both connected and disconnected today’s society. Again, grown man stuff. “Family Life” speaks on his current lifestyle and outlook, “Motherland/Bulawayo,” featuring J De Guvna, flips an M.O.P. sample to speak on serious steez, while singles “This is War” and “Gud Mawnin” show that Jus Randy’s lyricism and flow have only seasoned with time. “Definitely Brassmunk built the building blocks for what I’m doing now. Now that I’m a solo artist, I can really indulge in a lot of my personal experiences and express myself more.”

What have you been up to since Brassmunk?
I never stopped rhyming, never stopped being a fan of music. A lot of times when artists are out of the public eye, people say they stopped doing what they’re doing, but hip-hop is an art and passion, for me. I always continued and when it was time to re-emerge again as Jus Randy, a lot of people may be surprised at how sharp I am.

How has the transition to solo artist been?
Being a solo MC really isn’t too much of a transition, as far as being comfortable; I think it was more finding myself, as far as what type of hip-hop I wanted to do. And ultimately, it was about finding producers [Gameboy, JLBR Production/SweetSpot] that I was comfortable with.

What did you want to accomplish with InfoBahn?
I took the concept of the Internet and the information superhighway and just flipped it. Infobahn represents the whole digital communications era that we’re in ― that Blackberry, iPhone, Facebook and Twitter phenomenon. There’s so much communication, sometimes when you’re speaking with someone you’re not paying attention. It’s so hard to have real communication these days.

Previous: NEW ALBUM: Jus Randy “InfoBahn” (Available now on iTunes)

Ms. Fiona chops it up with The Huff. Link to the full interview below. Shouts to ignorant Americans who think us having soul is new.

Melanie Fiona Talks New Album, Whitney Houston And Starting Her Clothing Line

The Canadian invasion of American airwaves has not stopped with highbrow indie rockers — now the Canucks are coming for our soul. Fresh off her double Grammy win for the hit single “Fool For You” with Cee-Lo Green, Melanie Fiona is ready to take the world by storm with her second album, The MF Life, which drops on March 20.

And if the first single, “4 AM,” is an indication of what’s in store, we’re in for a treat. But the Roc Nation artist is more then just her soulful, award-winning voice, she’s also a certified style maven.

While we’re often distracted by style shenanigans on the red carpet, Fiona has a sartorial sparkle that warrants some serious recognition. Her love for bold prints, cutting-edge silhouettes, one-of-a-kind jewelry and killer shoes have shaped Fiona’s unique style.

The gorgeous Guyanese songstress took some time to chat with HuffPost Black Voices about her new album, touring with Kanye West, her deep connection to Whitney Houston and what inspires her personal style.

Congratulations on your double Grammy win! How does it feel?
Thank you so much! It’s a really great feeling. And as my mom says: “I’m on cloud nine and I’m not coming down!”

Your new album, The MF Life, hits stores on March 20 — what can we expect?
It is awesome! I wanted to make this album a real place for people to say: “Oh yeah, that Melanie Fiona — she’s on her way for sure.” The first album was definitely about paying homage and respect to what inspires me, and this album is more carved out to who I am and what I’ve been through as an artist — and as a woman.

What does The MF Life mean?
It’s totally open to interpretation. It’s whatever it means to you. For me, it’s really the dynamics of love. I think that the mentality of The MF Life is a concept about life: living it, enjoying it, making every day count, riding the wave of the ups and downs, and finding the balance and beauty in between. I’ve really grown as a songwriter and as a singer, so I hope people really feel that.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: VIDEO: MELANIE FIONA INTERVIEW W/ HELLOBEAUTIFUL.COM

Harvard chops it up with OhverlyCritical.com. Link to the full interview below…

TALK TORONTO: HARVEY STRIPES TALKS FASHION, HIS IDEAL WOMAN, DRAKE V. COMMON BEEF & THE HIP HOP SCENE IN CANADA

The music industry can be unforgiving, where first impressions can make or break you and where your grind determines your shine being an independent artist is no easy task. You can easily become washed away in the sea of senseless aspiring rappers or be a rare case like Harvey Stripes who has managed to turn ripples into sound waves in the Canadian ‘indy’ hip hop scene. OHverlycritcal.com caught up with the man himself to gain insight on his music and career OH!

Harvey Stripes is
Harvey Stripes is an entrepreneur, hard-working, honest *laughs* I feel like I’m writing a resume. I’m just me, you know? I just try to keep it 100% real as possible to my fans and my team
Most people are unaware that you were once part of a group called Deuce-Deuce, how have you evolved musically since parting ways with them and how was the transition from being part of a group to being a solo artist?

Deuce Deuce is a group I started back in the days. About three years ago I decided to become a solo artist, I came out to Toronto, and I definitely feel like it helped me grow as an individual, not just in music, just as a person, taking up responsibilities on myself, starting up my own label, my own team, D&D music group; Musically, just taking on a project like ‘A Dolla & A Dream’ mixtape, or taking on new songs or bringing ideas to the table, it’s just myself.

I have nobody to fall back on to add to the chemistry of the song, I also can’t blame anybody for anything that fans would be disappointed in. It’s more pressure on me, but I think I work best under pressure which I love. So it’s been a great journey as a solo artitst and it’s something I’ll never regret.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: HARVEY STRIPES “NO BUDGET” (DIRECTED BY CAZHHMERE)

Of course you could always preview the album online (or right here), but that shouldn’t stop you from checking this event out. It’s definitely a great opportunity to connect with one of our city’s talents and get some insight into his artistic process. Should be a good night!

Brought to you by the Polaris Music Prize and their event sponsor ClarityOne Earbuds.

ClarityOne Earbuds presents a Record Salon for The Slakadeliq’s “The Other Side of Tomorrow” featuring a live interview and album listening session hosted by David Dacks (Exclaim) w/Slakah the Beatchild & Mike Olsen from the band . FREE EVENT!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Drake Hotel, Lounge
1150 Queen West
www.thedrakehotel.ca
8:00 pm Start

Prizes supplied by our sponsor ClarityOne Earbuds.

View Map · Get Directions

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Slakah The Beatchild feat. Justin Nozuka “Love Controls The Sun” (Directed by Slakah The Beatchild)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: The Slakadeliqs feat. Justin Nozuka “Keep Breathing” (Directed by Slakah The Beatchild)

CBCMusic.ca chops it up with Rayon:

As distinctive as it is soulful, the gospel-tinged voice of Toronto’s own Ray Robinson (real name Rayon Henry) is like no other. Best known for R&B singles like “Missed Your Chance” and “Good Times, ” along with his award-winning appearance on rapper Kardinal Offishall’s 2006 hit “Every Day Rude Bwoy,” Robinson has been deep in Canada’s underground R&B scene since the mid-’90s. With current singles “Don’t Stop” and “I Wanna Make Up” floating around on radio airwaves and on iTunes, the R&B singer is back after a brief hiatus and angling for that wider success – both in and beyond our borders.

Q: What have you been up to lately?

A: Besides working on new music, just living life. A lot of times artists forget to take a moment to just live life, which gives you things to write about. A lot of times you get caught up just trying to make money and (forget) who they are inside.

Q: What motivates you to make music?

A: Just seeing the lack of good music out there. That’s not to make anyone feel their music is not good. It’s just that there’s so much music out there that it’s hard to find good music. It’s about making music that will hopefully last a lifetime – where artists 20 years from [now] are sampling songs that I recorded. A lot of the music that [is] out there right now, I can’t see people doing that. I’m trying to write music that actually means something and has a little bit of a message.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: Ray Robinson “Don’t Stop” (Directed by Big O.J.)

Footage of Ms. Fiona accepting her well-deserved GrammyS for her collabo with Cee-Lo – “Fool For You”

(Congrats!!!!)

Shouts to Mr. Mansbridge and CBC’s “The National” for doing a nice piece on her last night (if anyone’s got that please up it!)

And on the heels of those two wins “The MF Life” hits stores a week early on March 20th.

www.melaniefiona.com

Also hit the jump for her thoughts on the passing of the legendary Whitney Houston.

Rest In Peace Whitney.

Previously: ARTWORK: Melanie Fiona – The MF Life + Release Date Announced

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona Interview w/ MukamiTV

(more…)

Love this. Just when you’re sitting down wondering how Zaki‘s doing and what she’s up to…BAM…Rolling Stone article, lol. This is your final warning btw. Get up on Zaki now or be relegated to bandwagon jumper for the rest of your life. Shö and Eclectica are out there. Get caught up! Here’s a head start.

It was never in the plan to become a musician – to train for it and figure out the industry,” Zaki Ibrahim confesses just before she heads off to do some grocery shopping in Rosebank. Two things about this scenario are unlikely. Firstly, for anyone who’s followed her career since Shö: Iqra in Orange (2006) and Eclectica: Episodes in Purple (2008), Ibrahim’s approach to making music making seems entirely right; an organic (there’s no other word for it) part of a destiny written when she was born in Vancouver.

Then there’s her innate sense of style. Teaming a vintage shirt with a short skirt, towering heels and nails decorated in red, blue and white for a simple trip to Woolies to buy pasta sauce isn’t out of character for this songstress. With her razored hair, Afro-craft necklace and Amazonian air, Ibrahim looks like the leader of the current pack of Cream Cartelites.

In both her look and music Ibrahim is defiantly eclectic (another overtraded but emblematic description) – and it’s no surprise that Ibrahim used a variation for the title of her first proper album, Eclectica, released via Sony in Canada, the U.S.A. and here. That record earned Ibrahim strong reviews for its collection of songs that gathered up bits and pieces of soul, rap, electronica, Afro-roots and more to create a distinctive sound that she is now extending on her latest album, Every Opposite.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: NEW MUSIC: Zaki Ibrahim “Something In The Water” (Prod. Alister Johnson)

The Queen chops it up with Harbourfront Centre in preparation for the Honey Jam reunion show which is taking place tonight (Friday, February 3rd).

Michie Mee hosts Honey Jam: Then & Now

Honey Jam: Then & Now is a reunion concert and photo exhibit showcasing iconic images from the past 16 years of Honey Jam, the longest-running talent showcase in Canada. Many notable artists, including Nelly Furtado, Jully Black and Divine Brown, are just some of Honey Jam’s past alumni. We recently had an opportunity to talk with the host of the event, legendary Canadian emcee Michie Mee, about her start in the industry and her thoughts on the importance of Honey Jam.

When you Wikipedia Michie Mee, the first thing that stands out is that you are the first Canadian emcee to sign with an American record label. What was that experience like?

Well it was…very unique. At the time, when you’re 14, you don’t really look at everything and add it all up.

On top of that, you were a woman, which was even more unique in the industry at the time…

There were actually men here that were doing it, emcees that were coming up about the same time as me but they just never got that major deal. So it’s kinda cool to know that I could get the deal and then I could do shows with the locals here and really help build this scene. So that’s all I understood at the time. I was getting an opportunity to face the world and express my culture and then come back here and make the shows feel a bit international.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: EVENT: Honey Jam – Then & Now (Reunion Concert) (Friday, February 3rd)

Feb. 4th at Harbourfront!

One to Watch: Rochelle Jordan
Find out why media the world over are hailing this UK-born, Toronto-based singer “the future of R&B.”
BY:DENISE BENSON

Who: Rochelle Jordan a.k.a. ROJO is far more than just the latest R&B sensation to emerge from Toronto amid a chorus of comparisons to Drake. The U.K.-born singer-songwriter has been heralded as a voice that’s key to the genre’s comeback as she forges strong links between contemporary R&B’s last great period—that is, the 1990s—and its future.

Singing steadily since her teens, Jordan has spent the past five years focused on her songwriting chops. She found her signature sound—buttery-smooth vocals paired with stuttering, spacey beats—after beginning to work with future-minded Los Angeles producer Kelvin “Klash” Montgomery in 2009. Montgomery found Jordan on YouTube, pestered her to check his MySpace and convinced her to collaborate. Their Alien Phase EP, released independently in July of 2010, was the resulting calling card.

A year later, the two turned heads with Jordan’s “remix” of Drake’s “Marvin’s Room,” in which the songstress took on the persona of a seasoned, spurned lover with a thing or two to say. Last August, Jordan impressed with the 15-track digital album dubbed ROJO. Performing as the sweet-voiced, but heavy-hitting ROJO, Jordan brought an electronic edge to a laid-back set of songs that also showcased her ability to rap on occasion. ROJO included an interpretation of Radiohead (“Sleep”), the spartan standout “How to Feel” and radio-friendly smoothies like “Feel the Same Way.” ROJO, the performer, has range.

“I’ve been creating like this for three years, and since then I’ve really been trying to figure out who I am and how I want to be perceived both vocally and musically,” explains Jordan. “The writing is getting better as I mature, and everything you’ve heard so far has been recorded and vocally produced by myself. I’ve gotten time to know my vocals, to push myself and do what I want. Naturally, I’ve grown more confident in what I do so everything started sounding better. I’ve definitely got more space to grow, though.”

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: ROCHELLE JORDAN INTERVIEW W/ HARBOURFRONT CENTRE (MEET ROCHELLE JORDAN)