So this timeline of Jay-Z’s career was featured in the September issue of Exclaim! magazine, but I figured today, the intended release day of The Blueprint 3 and the day of his benefit concert was as good as any to post the full online version here. It’s no UBX, but then again what is?

Timeline: Jay-Z

I got this invite on Facebook and the event looks dope!! B-boy teams reppin various nationalities battle it out for national pride and to promote unity amongst the various cultures and ethnicities that share this hip hop element. Proceeds go to Project Pinoy Bboy Mission. Worth checking out this long weekend Sunday….
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Living in Montreal for the past five years means I’ve been to some really good parties!! But, even before I moved back to the Dot I’ve been hitting up The Main Ingredient.  This jam has definitely spoiled me!  What can I say, the line up boasts some of the city’s finest DJs, the tunes cater to a sexy mature crowd and the party is rocked at the hassle-free, anti-club district spot, Revival.  It’s a recipe for success and you could be all up in the mix this Saturday with a chance to win 2 free tix to the the one year anniversary of all this goodness.. (more…)

I would usually post a picture of Toronto scenery and important landmarks, but I think it is equally as crucial for us to familiarize ourselves with the faces of our city. The ironic thing is, there is no face to familiarize yourself with. We dont have a face that represents our city. Its the collection of diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, cultures and religion that form this.

This past weekend, Taste of the Danforth took over the lower east of the city, although it is a traditionally Greek festival, every kind of person was in attendence.

This is home…to all of us.

thas wsup

Last night Flying Lotus came through the Tattoo Rock Parlour on Queen St. W. in Toronto for a DJ set/live show performance alongside Toronto’s own MyManHenri. For those who may not be familiar with FlyLo, he’s the great-nephew of the late musician Alice Coltrane, wife of jazz legend John Coltrane.

While his family’s musical past has undoubtedly had an influence on him as a person and his music, contemporary hip-hop artists such as J. Dilla, the RZA and Dr. Dre according to his Eye Weekly interview with Denise Benson, have figured just as prominently on albums like 2008’s Los Angeles.

At last night’s show he whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his spaced-out head-nodding beats and manic energy on the decks, remixing and reconfiguring popular tracks along the way. Currently on a cross-Canada tour in association with Red Bull, he will be hitting up Montreal on Saturday and Vancouver on Sunday.

To get a taste of his progressive style, here’s a fan-made video of the hypnotic “Tea Leaf Dancers,” featuring vocalist Andreya Triana.

Scarborough’s Set2 just signed a digital distro deal with HHC/E1 Music. Here’s the first release:

Set2 – BOM BOM!

What’s good Toronto? Really… I want to know!!! I’ve only been back a few months, but I have to say that all and all Toronto is LIVE and I am sooo excited to be here!!!

Thanks to Ty and Rez for having me rep my *new* hometown (I miss you MTL). This blog is going to chronicle all my crazy adventures taking in what community organizations are up to in the City of Toronto, as well as checking out the many, many cultural initiatives and campaigns that are happening throughout the summer.

I’m also going to fill you in on issues affecting residents of the City and how youth, artists, community organizations/initiatives and other do-gooders are mobilizing to create awareness, empowerment and change in the dot.

I recently took up residence at the Manifesto Studio, and believe me when I say that I am in the middle of it all!! This will be the official spot to find out about what happening on the festival side of things and how you can, and should be involved! Check out their website at www.themanifesto.ca for more!

To let me know about the work you are doing or an event you want me in the middle of, please hit me up!!!: munira@bene-fete.com.