Thank you to the good people at The Substance Group, and dear Mahsa, for this link. Michael Jackson forever. Don’t forget, the MJ movie ‘This Is It’ comes out Wednesday! Track list is after the jump!

Today marks the official launch of the “He’s The King, I’m The DJ” mixtape project and UNDRCRWN is honored to have loaned thier influence to the latest creation by Philadelphia legend DJ Jazzy Jeff.

By blending popular favorites and rare gems-Jeff has masterfully created a new and exciting tribute mix that honors the King Of Pop. The music takes listeners on an emotional journey by opening with slow grooves like “Lady in My Life”, followed by a smooth transition into more uptempo classics. Included in the mix are exclusive remixes by Jeff!

UNDRCRWN was on board to add their signature caricature style to the mixtape cover art. Clever, nostalgic and from the heart- the artwork inspiration comes from the iconic Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith album “He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper.”

DOWNLOAD: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Michael Jackson – He’s the King, I’m the DJ Mixtape

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Click the link to see the promotion:
http://igniteentertainment.com/forever.html

2009’s most successful Toronto producer celebrates his bornday at Club Embassy with the ATF crew, and the rest of city that he represents so lovely. It will be nothing but good times. Be there.

Just a thought: Is that two years in a row Toronto has had the hip hop song of the summer? (Kardinal with ‘Dangerous’ in 2008 and Drake with ‘Best I Ever Had’ in 2009?) Maybe. But I digress. Come dressed to impress the best, cause this party is going to be severe. Congradulations to Boi-1da, Drake, T-Rexxx, 40 Shebib, Foots, and the whole damn crew. Keep raising the bar, family. Toronto is right behind your historic rise, every step of the way.

In case you forgot the heights of Canadian hip hop history has been made in 2009, here’s another look at ‘Forever’, produced by the birthday boy (1da).

“Last Name: Ever/ First Name: Greatest/ like a sprained ankle, boy I ain’t nothin’ to play with…”

It’s a celebration, b!tches! Happy birthday, Boi-1da. To many more years of success…

facefull of coke steez

Today, history is officially made. “Only Built For Cuban Linx Part 2” (the retail version!) is available to the world. It’s been 14 years in the making, a lifetime and a half in hip hop chronology. But the righteous ones live forever in music, and Shallah Raekwon is nothing short of an Older God and Grandmaster MC in these martial/language arts. Fuck the new jacks who don’t know the name brand or game plan. And while you’re at it, fuck all the bullshit that has accumulated in rap culture that people talk about, which essentially has nothing to do with the quality of words, thoughts and visions in an MC’s mind. All that matters is that which helps them manifest destiny’s masterpiece. Some will, some never will come close. Carrying on tradition is the ultimate immortality, and Louis Rich Diamonds is still the motherfucker not to fuck with (ask that former Def Jam rapper who shall remain nameless). Above and beyond all the motherfuckin’ ruckus in modern day rap, peace to everything else the eternally amazing Wu-Tang Clan collective has done, and will continue to do. But let it be known: this particular CD is truly special beyond explanation. Considering the cinematic magic of the first ‘Cuban Linx’ album severely influenced more MCs, producers, crimies, drug dealers and bank robbers than almost any album in hip hop history, the fact that this one is now officially done, and ready for the world, and not another one of the infamously mythological unfinished rap fantasies of the Wu-Tang Clan, is nothing short of a miracle.

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It’s been a CRAZY summer. Both personally and professionally. Especially personally. Please pardon my delay, between these parties I love to be at, life has been chaos without meeting Natalie Portman. Ha. It’s a real person writing these thoughts and taking these pictures, not a robot. As much as I want to cover every show and write about every event as much as possible, it can’t happen (until some sponsors start investing in Cityonmyback.com so we can take it to Nahright.com levels of amazingness!)

So, I now present some photos of a few more of the wonderful things that happened in Toronto in 2009. I hope you were there in person to witness some of these amazing days…

Awesome Moment to Remember Number 5:

DJ Nana, DJ L'Oquenz, and DJ Son of S.O.U.L.'s smokin hot Michael Jackson tribute... it was blazing hot up in there!

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It was another amazing moment for the city, to see De La Soul celebrate 20 years in the game with us all at the Phoenix. It was similarly as amazing as the Busta Rhymes show, but not as unbalanced. And Notes To Self was the proper group to get to open the show up, especially considering the shirts they had a small army of people wearing (fresh with the De La Soul ‘Stakes is High’ font in full effect. That’s a good look, fellas.)

b-boy stances on lock

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Toronto is like no other. Busta said: “the T Dot love is amazing!”, and De La Soul said: “honestly, this was the best show on the tour!” You’d think De La says it at every city, but you’ll soon see why they might have genuinely meant it here. Good times.

I must say, seeing where these high energy MCs are at in 2009 was an enlightening experience. I’ve seen both of the acts a few times each over the years, but watching them both up close and personal at the Phoenix highlighted the similarities, and some glaring differences, between each of the living legends.

JB and Michie Mee representing Toronto to the fullest

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Honey Jam 2009. So nice we had to do it twice!
These events are timeless. That’s why it doesn’t matter that much when you learn about them, if you weren’t there… if you don’t know, now you know.

Her name is Shianne-Mariah Phillips. Her voice is powerful magic. Keep an eye and ear on her artistic development, she's going places...

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HONEY JAM.
A summer tradition like very few others in the City of Screwface, the all-female singer/songwriter/superstar showcase affectionately known as Honey Jam has now been going strong for 15 years, no matter the circumstances. It’s a true testament to the commitment, dedication, and resilience of Ebonnie Rowe and all the good sisters and brothers of Phem Phat, as well as the remaining few organizations in this city that genuinely believe in the talent we possess, and will invest time, money, attention, and hope into the slowly-but-surely blossoming careers and amazing-yet-unknown artistry that Toronto has to offer the world.

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I love this shit waaay too much. I want to tell you everything that went down, for those unfortunate souls who couldn’t be at every special event happening in this amazing city, I wish you could live it through me, some of these things are too good to be experienced by only a few lucky heads. But, I’ll just give you some snapshots and flashback memories, because we’re all busy and shit and there’s always a next show to check (it’s a curse and a blessing. And it’s a hard job to attend them all, but somebody’s gotta do it, ha ha!)

Over the next week or two, I’ll give a Summer 2009 review of the 9 of the best shows to happen in the city, and reflect on where we came from before we go forward to the higher level we are all destined to achieve together, screwface hate be damned.

1. Raekwon the Chef and Covert Ops @ The Sound Academy
On Saturday night, the good people at REMG fought valiantly for the city of Toronto, and overcame an unbelievable obstacle (the border police still have the power to crush our little cross-border rap dreams with one negative word), and brought the god Shallah Raekwon the Chef to the Sound Academy for one of the most explosive hip hop shows to happen in 2009, I shit you not. But first and foremost, I must big up mans like Marvel and Arcee and DJ Lil Jaz for slaughtering the opening set as Covert Ops.

Covert Ops in full effect

Local Toronto designer, music lover, and all-around excellent human being Willis Ansong has been designing some of the freshest “street life” gear around. Check it. Support it. Respect it. Get it @ http://pfsisalive.wordpress.com/

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