Features

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    TIFF Celebrates 50 years of Caribbean Independence

    When the Caribbean Tales Youth Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival decided to host this year’s Black History Month fundraiser at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, it had the makings to be a spectacular event. Celebrating the 50 years of independence for Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, last Saturday afternoon’s entertainment was meant to highlight and celebrate the milestones of Caribbean people in media. Share thisEmail

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    Pam Grier captivates packed theatre with talk

    Pam Grier is not an icon. Well, at least she doesn’t want to be called one. But everyone from Clement Virgo (Poor Boy’s Game) to Sharon Lewis (Rude) gave her that title at the Canadian Film Centre’s Black History Month event: A Night With Pam Grier. And with a career spanning four decades — including many accolades including recognition as the first female action hero in film — whether she likes it or not, Grier is iconic. Share thisEmail

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    Masia One Talks Bootleg Culture and music piracy

    In 2012, piracy is the new radio, or so it seems. Instead of waiting for a song to air, listeners go to YouTube to hear what they want, when they want. And instead of wasting time or money to get mediocre albums, listeners weed the good from the bad through digital downloads. As the recording industry attempts to regulate the process with takedowns and seizes, artists and consumers are demonstrating through practice, where actions speak louder than words. Toronto rapper Masia One is one of these, an artist who is embracing unauthorized distribution, and using it to her advantage. Share thisEmail

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    LA Artist Dubb Talks High Hopes For New Record

    California’s Dubb is a 24-year-old rapper that is making an impact on the hip-hop game. Already he’s worked with big name artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Tyga and Cali Swag District and been acknowledged for his inspirational and timeless music from the release of his mixtape, The Departure. With the anticipation of his forthcoming album, The Layover set for release May 31, Dubb is confident that his grind will land him international recognition. This past week, Dubb took time out of his non-stop, no sleep schedule to speak with Urbanology Magazine about his influences, the feedback he has received so far and his plans for the future. Share thisEmail

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    Anthony Hamilton takes listeners back to love

    It’s been a few weeks since his latest project Back to Love dropped, and Anthony Hamilton, the man behind the voice that has blessed many soul and hip-hop records alike, is busy putting in work. Making promotional rounds to radio and television, doing phone interviews, touring, and meeting one on one with fans who pre-ordered his album, is what the family man juggles with being a husband and father of five, including a pair of one-year-old twins. But the balancing act is nothing new, seeing as Anthony was laying down this project when his twins were just born. Share thisEmail

Featured Videos

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Teedra Moses – “Another LovR”

Teedra Moses hooks up with fellow MMG label member Wale for “Another LuvR”.  Visuals directed by Phil The God. Look forward to more great videos from Phil The God. Share thisEmail

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De La Soul’s Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present First Serve – “Must B The Music”

De La Soul’s Plug 1 & Plug 2 present First Serve – The album out April 2nd. Watch the video for ‘Must B The Music’ the upcoming single from the animated world of De La Soul’s Plug 1 & Plug 2 present First Serve. Share thisEmail

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Clan Destined – “Scream” (ft. Stacy Epps)

Atlanta-based emcee/producer duo Yamin Semali and DT are rap duo Clan Destined, presenting the B. Price-directed music video for “Scream”, featuring Stacy Epps. “Scream” is from their third LP Self Titled Share thisEmail

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Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Ni**as In Paris”

Music video for Jay-z and Kanye’s “Ni**as in Paris” from their “Watch The Throne” album. Share thisEmail

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La’Fonz – “Know My Name”

Check out La’Fonz new video produced by J Hawk (Producer who brought you “Cat Daddy”) Share thisEmail

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Ski Beatz – “Twilight” (Instrumental Video)

An instrumental video from Ski Beatz’ “Twilight”, starring Curren$y, Stalley, Smoke DZA, Mikey Rocks, Da$h, Tabi Bonney, and more…Album in stores February 14, 2012 Video directed by Takeshi Fukunaga for DD172 Films Share thisEmail

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Belly – “Num8ers”

Official music video for Belly’s song “NUM8ERS” off his recent mixtape “The Greatest Dream I Never Had”. The video features a cameo by Rich Hil. Share thisEmail

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Studio2 Program – “I Can” (Unofficial Youth Remix)

Some youth in the Studio2 Program of East Metro Youth Services in Scarborough put together their own rendition of Nas’ classic “I Can”. It’s inspiring to hear what they have to say. Check it out! Share thisEmail

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Honors English – “Second Chances” (ft. Karina Pasian)

Trenton, New Jersey emcee Honors English presents the AUKS-animated music video for “Second Chances”, the newest single from his forthcoming album State Of The Art, dropping February 22 on Dry Rain Entertainment. Dry Rain is the production company of Needlz, the Grammy-winning producer behind tracks for G-Unit, Ruff Ryders, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous, Bruno Mars and more. Needlz produces every track on Art, which is also slated to feature an appearance by Lupe Fiasco. Share thisEmail

Reviews

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Toronto Gets Trippy With Juicy J

The Opera House was turned up last Friday night as Taylor Gang representative and Three 6 Mafia co-founder, Juicy J rolled into the city. NuDay Entertainment and the Highway Gang presented the event, which brought young and old hip-hop heads out to watch the industry veteran perform for the first time in Toronto. Share thisEmail

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Jay-Z & Kanye West Storm Toronto’s Air Canada Centre

Toronto went H.A.M. on Wednesday night as hip-hop royalty Jay-Z and Kanye West rolled into the city on their Watch the Throne tour. The sold out Air Canada Centre went absolutely crazy as the “H.A.M.” beat boomed throughout the stadium. The lights rose, as the two legends stood on opposite stages in the middle of the ACC. As they began to spit, their stages began to rise into towers creating unbelievable visuals. Their giant platforms turned into holographic images of a Doberman about to attack, and sharks swimming below them, making their stage look like a giant shark tank. Share thisEmail

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Enter the Shadow production more about break dancing than story-line

The grungy backdrop, with its faux-bricked walls, typical urban clothes line and nostalgically hip track suits set the stage. Enter the Shadow, which premiered at the Harbourfront Centre on Thursday night began with a familiar scene. You know, the two predominately male groups, facing and eyeing the other with some competitive glares and finger pointing taunts. The intent to battle it out is there but not with weapons or puny fists, through dance. It was a traditional number straight off the bat, and as soon as it started, it became obvious that the plot would take a back seat to the actual breaking. Share thisEmail

9th Wonder is respected and loved by the hip-hop community far and wide

Documentary chronicles a Wonder Year in 9th Wonder’s life

A man named Kenneth Price followed a man named Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit around with a camera and decided to document his life for one year (with permission of course). Kenneth didn’t have any outrageously oversized cameras, just a handheld Canon 7D and some inspiration. Kenneth and Patrick had one common goal when they set out to make this documentary, and it wasn’t to get the film all over the blogs or even to press them on DVDs and sell them to the masses. It was to capture the very essence of 9th Wonder over 12 months that would be historically noted as The Wonder Year and show it to as many people as possible….