K’Naan’s Troubador and D-Sisive’s Let The Children Die have both made the Toronto Star’s Top 20 albums of 2009 list. Also, below is Famous’ Top 10 singles of 2009 list as featured in the Star.
5. K’Naan, Troubadour (A&M/Octone/Universal). He went for it, yes, but he nailed it. Toronto-via-Mogadishu rapper K’Naan might have made a bid for the U.S. pop charts with his second album, but there hasn’t been a mainstream hip-hop record this disarmingly smart and original in a long time. He even pulls off collaborations with Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and that clod from Maroon 5.
9. D-Sisive, Let the Children Die (Urbnet). Once a lovable hip-hop goofball, Toronto rapper D-Sisive has evolved – through personal tragedies like the deaths of both of his parents, tackled in heart-rending detail here – into one dark MF and a fearless MC who couldn’t give a toss about the genre’s musical conventions.
Toronto Star – Top 20 Albums of 2009
Toronto Star – Famous’ Top 10 Singles of 2009
This is DOPE. Two of the city’s FINEST (vocally and otherwise) tearing down Buffalo this coming Sunday night! Road trip anyone?
Kim Davis opening for Melanie Fiona in Buffalo, New York! Sunday December 27th. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Tralf Music Hall, 622 Main St., Buffalo, NY. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com ($37.50 general admission or $42.50 for a reserved seat). For Tralf box office, Doris Records, Record Theater or reserved table, seats or VIP info call 716-940-3400.
Seen on OVO!
“I had one of the craziest years of my life, maybe one of the craziest years in hip hop for any new artist,” he said, sprawled on a distressed leather sofa in the prime downtown condo he bought last summer but has only recently had time to furnish. The decor – mostly hardwood, leather and sisal – is understated and frankly male. The view is easily worth a million or two, and seems to confirm that the multilabel bidding war that erupted around Drake last summer ended very much in his favour. (The winner, Motown Universal, released an EP of “extended-play selections” from So Far Gone in September.)
More accolades for Drake, this time nationally as The Globe And Mail gives their distinction of “Arts Person Of The Year”.
Peep the full interview HERE!
Global Gav got the city on his back. Via 1loveto!
Once again our friend Gavin Sheppard is making major moves, not just in Toronto but around the world… hence his aka – “Global Gav”. This time he’s teamed up with the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean for a “Youth Dialogue” in Costa Rica. The project addresses issues facing young people today and how youth are getting engaged in their community to address these challenges.
To learn more CLICK HERE.
Another GREAT look for K’naan who’s seeing some amazing success with his sophomore album Troubador! Click here for the full list!
Now that you’ve examined our list of 2009’s best-selling albums, take a look at what the Billboard staff subjectively chose as the year’s best albums. Indie music came on strong, while R&B and straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll are represented — but it’s hip-hop that takes the crown this year. Don’t agree with our picks? Tell us your favorite album of 2009 in the comments below.
How was the Critics’ list formulated? Billboard’s editors, reviewers and reporters each turned in a ranked list of their personal top 10 albums released between mid-November 2008 and mid-November 2009 (which approximately matches the Billboard chart cycle). Points were awarded inversely to the position each record was ranked. So, if a writer listed an album as a No. 1 choice, it earned 10 points toward the total; at No. 2 it earned nine points, and so on. See the list of writers who voted.
How can I say this without sounding like an a**hole? Actually, Kanye would be happy if I sounded like an a**hole lol. Anyways, if you need an American co-sign to pay attention to a dope artist that we’ve been talking about for a few years now, here’s a pretty good one! Shouts to G! Peep the video in question below as well as some other Shad goodies you might have missed…
Previous: NEW VIDEO: Louwop – One2Check / Get Up feat. Shad & Zaki Ibrahim
Previous: NEW VIDEO: Shad – The Calling feat. Jermiside & Destruments
Previous: New Shad Video – “Compromise”
Dropping December 21 @ http://jstaffz.blogspot.com and featuring the single “Can’t Say No” feat. Ashley De Carvalho & Dru James (below).
1 Intro
2 J. Staffz – Why You Grilling Me For Feat. Richie Sosa
3 Strizzy Kastro – Infrared Feat. Mayhem Morearty
4 J Rod – To My Phone Remix Feat. J. Staffz & Richie Sosa
5 J. Staffz – Can’t Say No Feat. Ashley De Carvalho & Drew James
6 J. Staffz – Bout My Business Feat. Kwajo Cinqo
7 Nem-s-iss – Feel So Good Feat. Renee Wynter
8 J. Staffz – Fuck You Feat. Ken Masters & Scorsese
9 Menise – Drop It Low Feat. J. Staffz
10 J. Staffz – I Could Treat You Better Feat. Jonny Roxx & Drew James
11 P. Dollaz – Strip For Me Feat. J. Staffz
12 J. Staffz – Can I Come Feat. Liyaa, Rochester & Daville
13 Jhyve – Fire Remix Feat. JD Era
14 J. Staffz – Know Your Name Feat. JKB & Nikkie Santoro ***
15 Belly – Hot Girl Remix Feat. JKB & J. Staffz
16 Richie Sosa – Say Whatever You Like Feat. Mayhem Morearty
17 Uptown Playaz Club – Word To Toronto Feat. J. Staffz
18 J. Staffz – I Can’t Lose Feat. Jhyve, Bishop Brigante & Richie Sosa
19 J. Staffz – HipHop Saved My Life Feat. The Kid Famous
20 Outro
Previous: NEW MUSIC: J. Staffz “The Staff Meeting” (3 Brand New Cuts Off The Upcoming Mixtape!)
Previous: NEW MUSIC: J. Staffz – Can’t Say No feat. Ashley De Carvalho & Drew James (Ruff Ryders)
If you were always wondering where to get one, the fam at 1loveto are opening a one-day-only store where you can easily swing by and grab an iconic 1 Love T.O. t-shirt. All the details are below! I’m presuming it’ll turn into a nice likkle Christmas party too (shouts to music and egg nog lol).
We are inviting you to our “Pop Up Shop/Night Market” this Wednesday, Dec. 16th, 2009 (the ninth day of Christmas).
“On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love bought for me”
How it works:
*If you have already ordered your shirts, they will be put aside for pick-up.
*If you would like to pre-order between now and Wed @ 12noon, the shirts will be put aside and waiting for pick up. (email: trexxx@1loveto.com)
*If you would like to purchase a shirt, have some egg nog, listen to some music or join us for a christmas carol or two, YOU ARE WELCOME.
1 LOVE T.O. shirts have become a great momento, souvenir, and now christmas gift/stocking stuffer.
This Pop Up Shop/Night Market is for ONE DAY ONLY, right in the middle of your christmas shopping rush.
Pop Up Shop/Night Market is located at “Nyood” 1096 Queen St. West
(Queen + Dovercourt) beside Starbucks *2nd floor*
From 3-10pm
See you on Wednesday!
What a monumental year for 1da and trust me when I say no one deserves the success more. Only bigger and better things in 2010! Click here for the full chart! P.s. His name is Matthew not Michael!
Hello all,
It’s been a Great Ride and there is no slowing down in the foreseeable future! The good people at EXCLAIM magazine, Canada’s Largest Free Monthly Music Mag have bestowed an excellent review on the New FEATURING NO FEATURES record. Check Here! You can now purchase INDIVIDUAL TRACKS and LISTEN to the whole record at http://music.theology3.com/
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