Leading up to his gig at The Big Ticket this Friday night Junia chops it up with Urbanology about what he’s been up to and all that good stuff.

Junia-T, one half of the renowned Toronto hip-hop duo Smash Brovaz, has taken on a new serious role as a producer lately and is making noise with his distinct smooth sound. The multi-talented Sauga spitter is set to headline this month’s Big Ticket, Toronto’s premier hip-hop monthly event, to show the city what he’s been working on.

YOU’VE BEEN BUSY. TELL US WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO LATELY? The Smash Brovaz album release was a success. It’s still growing across the world. We’re just gearing up for new music for the rest of the year. Aside from that, me as a producer, that is my focus for this year. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of music come out this year that is produced by me. So far, Veronica Domingues’ album is coming out, which is produced all by me, it’s actually an EP. It’s called Just Chill… I’ve really been connecting with dudes on the come up and dudes that are really doing it, which is exciting, to be a part of the beginning phases of that.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE ROLE AS THE PRODUCER? I’ve always been producing. I’ve been producing since the first Smash Brovaz album came out like eight years ago. I spent so much time sharpening the performance skills, the writing skills, I was always progressively producing, but I never made myself available as a producer and I feel like I missed out on opportunities to work with some people in the past, because I didn’t really step forward with it… I went to LA and got to really play my music out there and that’s where my eyes really opened. Just seeing their reaction to my style, because I have a very distinct sound in terms of what I prefer to create. As much as there are modern trends in music, it may mildly influence where I’m at creatively, but it doesn’t take away from what my production style is. I was really happy to see people react in a positive way to what I naturally create.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: J SHILTZ FEAT. JUNIA-T “FROM THE SOUL” (DIRECTED BY EVAN CINIELLO)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: CHASE N. CASHE “DIE WITH M$NEY” (PROD. RICH KIDD & JUNIA-T)

Pretty cool and in-depth APB interview via musicbliss.net – a site known, well, for its in-depth interviews.

Get it at http://www.musicbliss.net/#!theairplaneboys/c6c8

And check their latest album “Brave New World” @ http://theairplaneboys.com

Previously: NEW VIDEO: The Airplane Boys – Brave (Directed by Warren Credo)

Melanie gets comedic with Eric & Jeff and Bonnaraoo.com.

We know your pain. We know what you’re going through. We’ve been in your shoes. (It’s true: last year’s Bonnraoo took such a toll on our footwear that we actually ditched them on the way to the airport.)

We know that life can be difficult and hard to navigate, so we – your neighborhood hip-hop sketch comedians – are here to lend a hand, an ear, and ultimately some advice on how to solve any and all issues you may have, with our new video series, Rap Lines!

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Bonnaroo 2013 takes place June 13th to 16th in Manchester, TN.

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is four of the best days ever. 80,000 happy campers. 700 acres of Tennesee nature. 150 epic performances. 10+ stages of music. Several dozen comedians. An escape into excitement. Music. Art. Discoveries.

But Bonnaroo is more than a music festival. If you love music, laughter, animals, dance parties, coolness, friends and good stuff, Bonnaroo 365 will keep you feeling the vibe all year round. Enter a world of music discovery, incredible characters, soulful inspiration, and flat-out ridiculousness. Most importantly, be sure to join in on the fun, conversation, and free stuff.

Bonnaroo 365 – Your year round ticket to performances, artists, happiness, adventures, nirvana, couscous, over-joyousness, sharing, dancing, hyperbolic verbiage, system overload…

Rap Lines With Eric & Jeff | Ep. 2 Feat. Melanie Fiona | Bonnaroo365

http://www.youtube.com/user/bonnaroo365

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Bad” (Cover)

Bishop’s been in the acting game for well over a minute – most prominently/memorably in the movie Narc – so as per any actor promo-ing their upcoming project, TGM chops it up with Horror Society about his latest project “Chupacabra vs The Alamo” which premieres this Saturday at 9/8c on the SyFy Channel.

Aside from Narc, the television series Platinum was your first big opportunity in front of the camera. What was it like juggling rapping and acting at the same time?
I don’t really think of it as juggling really. Both of these careers are things I’m really passionate about, so I spend a lot of my time doing both. I can literally work a 12 hour day on set for a film or tv show, then go straight to my studio for another 12 if I have something specific project I’m working on. I think for me, the two go hand in hand so I will always have both of them as a part of my day to day routines.

Now for Chupacabra vs. The Alamo… How did you go about landing this role and what made you pursue this opportunity in the first place?
I was in Vancouver shooting another move called “Evil Feed” and my agent had gotten me an audition for Chupacabras vs. The Alamo. I love the city of Vancouver and wanted to stay longer, so here was my opportunity Once I learned that I would be in the same movie with the legendary Erik Estrada, I was locked in. lol. I used to have a “Chips” big wheel with this guys face on it. I used to hear stories about these chupacabras and so the whole idea of psycho, alien, blood sucking dogs attacking a city seemed like it would be a fun movie to do. It didn’t take much convincing. lol

Can you tell readers a little bit about your character in the film?
I play Gordo and I’m one of Spiders right hand men in his gang that he leads. Brent Mclaren and myself are his go to guys as far as advice and anything else gang related. I’m a bit of a trouble maker but when it’s time to fight, I’m ready to go. There’s a bit of comic relief between my character and Brents as well.

Read the full interview @ http://www.horrorsociety.com/2013/03/21/interview-rapper-and-actor-bishop-brigante/

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Bishop Brigante “Trying People 2012″

Melanie talks new album and the success of her past year with That Grape Juice.

“The MF Life” is available now on iTunes: http://bit.ly/RwhnTs

www.melaniefionaworld.com

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona (Interview w/ HipHollywood)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Liberation Tour – Atlanta” (BTS)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Melanie Fiona feat. B.O.B. “Change The Record” (Directed by Jerome ‘Rome’ Kruin)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona “Liberation Tour – Boston” (BTS)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona (Interview w/ The New York Post)

Previously: VIDEO: Melanie Fiona Live @ The 2012 BET Awards

Gangis talks about his Raekwon/IceH2O deal and why it didn’t pan out + his new direction, with TorontoRappers.com.

Previously: NEW VIDEO: S Dawt – Money ‘Til Da End feat. Camoflauge

Get to know the youngin’ John River. Knowing that OTA Live helped influence a dude like this really makes all the work we put in to that show worth it. Salute homie. The Calm is coming soon…

It’s not often you find young rappers that are wise beyond their years, but 18 year-old John River fits the description precisely. Having soaked up knowledge from the likes of JD Era and ANTHM, the Mississauga up-and-comer is well-learned, well-grounded, and has a clear vision for himself. Aside from being a student of hip-hop and possessing raw talent as an emcee, John River possesses a distinct sense of responsibility within his community – not only did he tackle the issue of gun violence in Toronto with “I Don’t Want To Be”, but he originally left behind a potential future in soccer in Europe, realizing that there were people back home that he could help out by kick-starting his rap career. Now, John River looks to make his mixtape debut with The Calm, a project he acknowledges will change his life “for better or for worse.” The Come Up Show caught up with John River to talk about The Calm, as well as paying dues and what he learned from JD Era and ANTHM, among other things. Read the full interview below.

M-Bomb: Welcome to The Come Up Show, it’s really good to have you!

John River: Thank you, thank you.

M-Bomb: Before we get to talking about your upcoming project, The Calm, I’d like to get some background information. How did you first get into hip-hop?

John River: I kind of always grew up around it. Growing up, I used to listen to OTA Live! with my brother. They played late on Flow [93.5FM], Ty Harper with Rez Digital. Michael Jackson was playing in my house 24/7… and then I don’t really know, Flow 93.5 I guess was really instrumental, just because it was really what we listened to 24/7, [along with watching] 106 & Park. It was a cultural thing, you know what I mean? I used to beatbox, too, but that was when I was like eight [laughs].

M-Bomb: When did you start rapping?

John River: I used to do public speaking. I was in French Immersion, so I did French public speaking, and English public speaking. I wasn’t really a good student… [laughs], I was a bad student, but I think beatboxing, mixed with the public speaking, came into one. I remember I always used to rap – freestyle, of course, always freestyling. But I was like eight, nine years old. There’s actually a video of me rapping when I was eight, like, “for all my n****s dying in the streets,” it’s hilarious. As time went on, it kind of just developed. I went to Clarkson Secondary School, when freestyling really started coming to the forefront, and I remember I was out one time and some guy had just gotten out of jail. And everybody was rapping, and I was like “yo, I rap! Blah, blah,” but I was in grade nine, and I was like four feet tall. And that’s when I really started to get my shine, rapping-wise, freestyling-wise. Everything was freestyling. I got into a studio for the first time [just] last summer. But we used to have freestyle Fridays at our school; we’d have like two hundred kids come out, and we’d freestyle for money. Proud to say [I went] undefeated [laughs]. But yeah, it was hella dope. It’s just part of the culture, you know?

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – THE CALM (PREVIEW)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – EVERYTHING I AM

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – EVERY EVENING (DIRECTED BY TRAYNE ADJEI & EGAN DAVIDSON)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: JOHN RIVER – I DON’T WANT TO BE (DIRECTED BY TRAYNE)

Since 2006, SonReal has been lacing tracks with his smooth melodic rap flow and his harmonious vocals. This summer, he celebrated the release of his fifth mixtape, entitled Good News – available free on his website (sonreal.ca).

The Good News mixtape embodies the essence of SonReal’s past work, but showcases his progression as a multifaceted artist.

While most artists would be satisfied putting out a solid mixtape like Good News, SonReal remained in the studio to record his first collaboration album,The Closers, with fellow rapper, Rich Kidd.

From recording, to touring, to hosting RapCity, it’s easy to see why SonReal is one of the hardest working artists in the game.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with, SonReal – a polite and humble 26 year old who surely has a bright future ahead of him.

1. So, you’re in Vancouver today to promote your new album, The Closers, which is a collaboration with you and Rich Kidd. How many of these listening sessions have you done or are you planning to do?

We just did one other one – a place in Toronto called Proper Reserve. I mean, we’re going to do this one [at a hip-hop boutique in downtown Vancouver], the one we just did in Toronto and then we’ll be touring across Canada. Listening parties are something you just do once or twice, do a really good job of it and then that’s that. But then we’re going to get quite relentless with touring.

2. Where will you going on tour?

We’re starting in Vancouver, then Victoria, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto… we’re basically going to go all across Canada.

3. Will you be touring in America?

We haven’t actually started yet, but that’s our goal. That is the goal right now – breaking into the states in any way we can, whether that’s through touring or whatever. We’re already on 2DopeBoyz, Nah Right, and lots of the major blogs over there, but we haven’t made our mark with touring there yet, so that’s our next goal. That’s our next plan of attack.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW MUSIC: SONREAL & RICH KIDD – THE CLOSERS

It’s all coming together now…Been hearing Promise‘s “Make A Change” record on G98.7 lately but didn’t know it was an official release in collaboration with the Toronto Police. Interesting (and a good look). They all came together yesterday on G to discuss the violence in the city and here’s the full report courtesy of The Star. Peep the page for an acapella from Prom too (link at the bottom):

Hip hop hope: Police (Toronto’s finest) and Promise (the hip hop artist) release song.

After the summer of gun violence came the culture of silence. Now comes the hip hop track, the latest salvo from a police service looking to inspire and connect with the city and youth it serves.

After the Danzig shootings, the Toronto Police Service teamed up with local artist Promise Shepherd to release a song called “Make a Change.” It’s the service’s first venture into the biz, with lyrics that call for ownership of the city and an end to violence. Promise wrote the lyrics and performs the song with some help from artists Kaid and Liya.

From verse one of “Make a Change”: “It’s a cold world but some hot spots in my city, I find it hard to rep a block in my city. Screwface, T dot is my city, nowadays you don’t wanna be a cop in my city, or a citizen, witnessin’, caught in the city, movies ain’t the only things getting shot in my city.”

“Music has a way to transcend; we’re hoping it will be the most successful medium we’ve used to date to reach areas and see results,” Staff Insp. Tony Riviere, of 33 Division, told a crowd gathered at G98.7 FM Sunday afternoon.

“Until we can get cooperation from residents” in priority neighbourhoods where a lot of violence occurs, Riviere said, “we can’t reach a maximum impact. If music does that, great. If not, we find other mediums.”

The song is inspired by the fallout of this summer’s violence. After the Danzig homicides, Sgt. Rod Chung, also of 33 Division, was at home watching his kids dance and started thinking about the role music plays in how his children dress and speak.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: PERFECK STRANGERS FEAT. ZEYON “STAY ME” (DIRECTED BY KEV MAJOR)

Previous: NEW VIDEO: PROMISE “DON’T” (DIRECTED BY ANDRE REHAL)

She’s purdy.

One To Watch: Tanika Charles

After scoring a local radio hit in 2010 with her debut EP, the artist also known as Mz.Chawls is ready to drop two albums—an old-school full-band effort, and a hip-hop-flavoured joint with Slakah the Beatchild.

BY: DENISE BENSON

Who: Toronto-born Tanika Charles is a vocal powerhouse who beautifully bridges soul, blues, Motown, hip-hop, and pop. Raised in Edmonton by a music-loving family, Charles sang from childhood and was well on that path until she chose, as a young adult, to follow a boyfriend into farm life.

Upon realizing that country living wasn’t for her, Charles moved to Vancouver where she met South African-Canadian singer Zaki Ibrahim, with whom she would later perform and tour as a back-up vocalist. A return to Toronto, Parkdale specifically, led to more singing gigs, for the likes of Bedouin Soundclash, among others.

Charles may have first caught eyes and ears in this supporting role but, since 2010, she has stepped to centre stage, wowing audiences with her rich voice and a sound that’s both steeped in history and absolutely contemporary. Backed by a skilled band dubbed The Wonderfuls, she performs alternately as Tanika Charles and soul diva Mz.Chawls.

“Mz.Chawls is my alter ego,” Charles explains by email. “She rears her head when she’s mad or hurt. She’s my inner self, coming out to vocalize the pain, the learning, the yearning that comes from within, with love lost or difficult relationships.”
Charles has parlayed her inner pain and her enormous talent into standout performances at high-profile venues and events including Harbourfront Centre, Manifesto Festival, NXNE, The CNE, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. She’s also opened for the likes of Macy Gray, Mayer Hawthorne, Nneka, Johnny Reid, and Estelle.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Previous: NEW VIDEO: TANIKA CHARLES & THE WONDERFULS “I AM YOUR WOMAN” (DIRECTED BY MARK VALINO)