By Jonathon “Bizz” Brown

If I walked away from last night’s launch party for JJisJeni.com with one comment it is this: it honestly felt like there was an urban music industry last night. Why? To be honest, I’m still trying hard to understand it myself. It just felt like a moment.

Typically “industry parties” come off more “industry” than “party.” And by that I mean everyone knows who they are and what they came to do (usually perform) and that is the beginning and end of their contribution to the evening’s mood. Not last night. It was a house full of people worth shaking hands with and they were there with open minds, open eyes and Toronto’s charisma in their step. From media to radio personalities to artists to producers to people like me who are as much fans of the culture as they are cultivators of it… it was a dynamic, up beat and powerful crowd. If you walked in off Mars last night, you’d swear that club was full of multi-platinum artists celebrating their success. And I think there lies the distinction. Everyone felt like they were genuinely partying, socializing, celebrating themselves andeach other.

Kim Davis sounded the best of the performers I caught. Jonny Roxx was one of the few artists to get the crowd involved with his antics. Lindo P is undeniable as a performer, especially in an intimate space like last night. Famous was walking around the club shooting a music video as he slapped hands. Instead of taking the stage, P Reign performed beside Drake from his booth as pictures snapped. Rochester’s stylish performance was television worthy. Spexx, Ill Kidz, P Plus, Jason Chambers, Dames Nellas, Sunny Diamonds, Soze… many people very influential on the musical tastes in Toronto and Canada were there in full effect.

I’ve unfortunately been to my share of “industry parties” where everyone seems like they’re just putting in time. Artists are looking at their watches as they stay hidden by the bar waiting for their turn to perform so they can leave. Fans aren’t very visible because everyone seems too much of a “someone” to submit to open fandom. A kind of blazablah, “it is what it is” attitude permeates the room. And I walk away thinking “shouldn’t that’ve been better?”

I clearly am a person who roots for the urban music industry in Canada. And for me, last night was a sign that the artists trying to be stars, do have the ability to come together and make everyone feel like one too. I submit this to the record as a moment.

Shouts to Jeni and JJisJeni.com

That’s The Fine Print

Previously – Event: JJisJeni.com Launch Party Tonight At Home Night Club