REFLECTION & REASON

The Roots are fantasic. True musicians. Expert performers. On Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Nathan Philips Square (Toronto), The Roots gave an amazing 2-hour performance as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival. To say they are legendary would be an understatement. There are so many hip hop artists and entertainers that come and go in the music industry--many are forgotten, many lack the ability to maintain a career that spans more than a few years, and many just simply don't have the genuine talent to keep their audiences engaged, and their fanbase active. The Roots are exceptional in all areas. Gathered under the tent at the festival's Toronto Star Stage, the crowd seemed to become increasingly electrified as the show went on. Original band members MC Black Thought and ?uestLove on drums, along with guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas , bass player Owen Biddle , keyboardist James "Kamal" Gray , percussionist Frank "Knuckles" Walker , and tuba player Damo...

Is it really that complicated? Toronto is a major metropolitan city. The 4th largest North American city, after New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. So why is it such an impossible mission for "us" to defend, achieve, and maintain a decent urban radio station that caters to the demographic that obviously exists here? I am not an expert in CRTC legislation, radio programming, or advertising. I don't know the politics that go on behind closed doors, in the boardrooms, on the air, or in the DJ's studios. What I do know is that I'm an average Torontonian who wants to be able to depend on a decent radio station for her news, entertainment, and a RELEVANT reflection of her lifestyle. The lifestyle of my peers, and the tastes of my generation and my community. I want to be able to hear what I like 24/7. This isn't even a concern or second thought in other places where they have at least two "urban" stations. Some cities have one station exclusively for hip h...

On Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown Toronto, UMAC (The Urban Music Association of Canada) hosted two panels dedicated to uplifting and educating musicians through expert commentary and group discussion at the North by Northeast (NXNE) conference. The first panel, co-presented by the McKee Agency, featured (l-r) DJ Carl Allen, Michie Mee, Will Strickland, Derek Brin, and Chase Parsons. The Canadian music industry legends participated in a discussion entitled "How We Got Here: A Reflection of How Urban Music in Canada Got to Where it is Today" and shared their wisdom with the NXNE attendees. Moderated by Will Strickland, UMAC President, the guest speakers shared their experiences and perspectives on where Canada's urban music industry was as they were beginning their journey in the business, and also articulated where they believe the industry can and will go with the right support. Chase Parsons , of Chris Smith Management, believes that this g...