Great to see the whole Manifesto movement progress every year but to see some international growth like this is truly amazing! Respect to the whole fam! Here’s the official press release (more under the hood):
MANIFESTO Goes Global
TORONTO, CANADA – Manifesto Community Projects has been engaging the city’s youth with Arts and Culture ever since 2007, not long after Toronto came to grips with widespread violence that became known as the infamous ‘Summer of the Gun’ two years prior. From inspiring town hall meetings to exciting performances at its annual Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture, the non-governmental organization has been making its presence unmistakably felt in the Greater Toronto Area. Not only that, but its steady growth has inspired the birth of a sibling organization outside of Canada.
“MANIFESTO was born out of pure and honest love. That love is universal and it was felt by our brothers and sisters working on similar missions in Kingston, Jamaica. It is with great joy that we announce the official birth of the Manifesto movement in Jamaica,” said Founding Executive Director of Manifesto Canada, Che Kothari. “I’ve been going back and forth to Kingston for a while now building with the team and the level at which this team is operating and the depth of their experience is truly powerful. The things they have already done in a short period are major successes for an organization still in its infancy and speaks to their capacity and connections on a grassroots and institutional level. Their methodology, approach and activities are truly genius. Without a doubt this team is about to set things ablaze in Kingston and its coming at a time when love must be the message.”
Manifesto|Jamaica Festival Director, Lesley-Ann Welsh explained, “We feel extremely blessed by the connection made with Manifesto Community Projects. Che’s energy is infectious and, before we knew it, we were integrally involved with his movement. The Manifesto approach truly has the potential to be a healing force in Jamaica, especially among the youth.”
“U Can Have It All” in heavy rotation at MuchMusic & shooting up charts across the country!
TORONTO, ON – Canada’s newest R&B star JRDN (aka Jordan Croucher) is excited to announce the release of his official debut album I AM JRDN in stores November 2, 2010, on Kuya Productions/Fontana North. The video for first single “U Can Have it All” was recently added to Heavy rotation at MuchMusic and MuchVibe, was the #1 Most Added single at CHR radio last week (Mediabase) and hit #29 at Top 40 Radio this week, with adds at the top urban and CHR stations across the country.
You may recall the name Jordan Croucher from his collaborations with Juno-nominated Classified a couple years ago. Jordan is back, has shortened the name to JRDN, lengthened his accolades to include opening across Canada for Rihanna and Ne-Yo, hooked up with Grammy-nominated Kuya Productions & Fontana North and is now poised to be Canada’s next international star! The hook-filled single “U Can Have It All” arrived at radio less than a month ago and is already garnering lots of love there and is currently sitting in the iTunes R&B Top 10 along with Usher, Ne-Yo and Trey Songz.
HOT OFF INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES HIP HOP DUO ART OF FRESH RELEASE NEW ALBUM WHEN THE NIGHT COMES IN
Toronto, ON – JUNO Award winning producer Slakah the Beatchild and Guinness World Record holder D.O., who make up the duo Art of Fresh, are set to release their sophomore album When The Night Comes In on September 21, 2010 (available via iTunes). The first single Alive, is already receiving spins on Toronto’s Flow 93.5 and 106.9 in London, ON. The duo will celebrate the release with a launch party at Czehoski’s (678 Queen St West, Toronto ON) on Friday September 17th .
“Our touring experiences over the last year really influenced the sound of the album,” says D.O. “From Vegas to Vancouver, Tokyo to Toronto, we’re bringing that butterfat boombap that ours fans have come to expect from us!”
D.O., who holds the record for the longest freestyle by rapping almost nine hours, contributes vocal talents to Art of Fresh along with fellow lyricist Slakah the Beatchild, who also provides the beats and production elements. When The Night Comes In showcases Art of Fresh’s unique sound that fans have come to expect from the talented pair. Their new release is the perfect blend of old school meets new school delivered with a unique sound of soul and hip-hop. The album offers a new feel to their music, infusing electronic beats on tracks such as When The Night Comes In and Electrodisfunktions. The duo incorporates a new sound while ensuring they haven’t forgotten their roots.
The book is out! Come celebrate with Maestro tomorrow at The Drake Hotel. Shouts to Manifesto!
The Drake Hotel and The Manifesto Festival Present:
Wes “Maestro” Williams Encourages Readers to “Stick To Your Vision”
Iconic Canadian Rapper/Actor Releases Motivational Book for Readers of All Ages
Having experienced the highs and lows that come with being a performer, Wes “Maestro” Williams, “The Godfather of Canadian Hip Hop,” has passed many hurdles in his life. Knowing that others out there face the same challenges, Wes, along with co-writer Tamara Hendricks-Williams, present Stick Your Vision. Sharing the same title as one of his hit singles, Wes provides practical and empowering strategies to help readers define their vision, determine how they’re going to achieve it, and what to do once it’s been achieved.
The Official Toronto Book Release Celebration!
DATE: August 12, 2010
TIME: Media Launch @ 8pm, Doors open to public @ 9pm
MUSIC: Dj Mel Boogie & Starting From Scratch VENUE: The Drake Underground
PRICE: FREE!
Siiiiiiiick! More (including tour dates) under the hood!
SHAD ANNOUNCES U.S. RELEASE OF LATEST ALBUM ON BLACK BOX RECORDINGS/DECON RECORDS OCTOBER 5TH
JUNO AWARD AND POLARIS PRIZE NOMINATED MC TO WIN OVER STATESIDE AUDIENCES
Vancouver based MC Shad prepares to storm the northern border with his highly acclaimed LP TSOL on October 5, 2010. The album, released earlier this year in his native Canada, will see a US release on Black Box Recordings/Decon and has already garnered wide praise including a nomination for the prophetic Polaris Music Prize. Moving forward, he sets his sights on American audiences, eager to connect with existing fans, and tell his story to virgin ears.
The son of Rwandan immigrants, Shad invested time into his craft while growing up in London. Reared on the sounds of American hip-hop while diligently pursuing an education, his character is an even-keeled amalgam of these influences, glaringly manifested on the introspective, multi-faceted TSOL.
While an initial listen to TSOL will immediately lead one to believe that it’s an immense hip-hop achievement, such sentiments merely scratch the surface. Shad’s third album is a self-effacing commitment to the art of rhyme, as evidenced on the soulful singles “Rose Garden” and “Yaa I Get It.” Later, he culls input from some of Canada’s most talented, notable musicians. Brendan Canning and Lisa Lobsinger of indie-rock mega-conglomerate Broken Social Scene to lend vocals and instruments to “Lucky 1’s” while Canadian hip-hop staple Classified offers up a brash slab of a beat on “A Good Name”.
Louis Breezy officially drops his highly anticipated EP, Topic Of Discussion! Buy it on iTunes or get the free download below! Be sure to tune in to OTA Live tonight as we welcome Luu Breeze into the FLOW studios for another edition of OTA Talk! Full EP tracklist under the hood. Features production by Boi-1da, MegaMan and Soundsmith. Congrats to Breezy! “Drink Away The Pain” is my sh*****t!
Here goes our 2nd feature in Creamworld Magazine‘s Industry Talk segment! This time around we played word association and gave our thoughts on some of the game’s biggest artists. The new issue (with Amber Rose on the cover) is officially out now! See below to check out our first segment and shouts to Creamworld for showing love to your boys!
