REFLECTION & REASON

It was a term used by many of us: "2020 Vision." We were excited for the new year, with New Years' Resolutions ready for execution, and a clear perspective for activities on a global scale. Visions for upliftment, success, love, and awareness with an undercurrent of positivity. These messages were clear, because 2019 had been a year of extreme learning, self-reflection, and healing. A worldwide pandemic causing a global lockdown, international protesting against police brutality and the lynching of African people, and the continuous fight for racial equality with Black lives mattering: these predictions were far from the vision we had planned for. It wasn't anything we had prepared for, but 2020 became a vision that would open our eyes clearly. History had been broken. Conditions that we had never experienced before, were now realities the human race was forced to face. This fog was removed from our collective eyes, only for us to realize that there is a need fo...

Authenticity resonates with me, and even though I haven't always been an avid listener of trap music (and I'm proudly stuck in the 1990s when it comes to hip hop) I have always liked Gucci Mane. Before I came to appreciate Gucci Mane the artist, I was actually just drawn to Radric Delantic Davis the man. Something about him. He was real. He was grimy...but he was real. Full disclosure: I was also quite drawn to his wife  Keyshia Ka'oir , and their story. Their connection intrigued me. As an entertainment news buff, admittedly, the main narrative I took in over the years was about Gucci and Keyshia, how she held him down, how Gucci lost all that weight, and of course how she maintained and "flipped" his millions while incarcerated. That was a part of the story that was fascinating. But there was so much more to Gucci than sitting courtside at NBA games in matching furs with his beautiful (and extremely entrepreneurial ) Jamaican boo. The story was deeper t...

BY GUEST BLOGGER, AUTHOR KAMILAH HAYWOOD In 2017 there I was, a third generation African-Jamaican-Canadian woman in the ice cold of winter, downtown Winnipeg at Tim Horton's, standing in the busy morning rush line up waiting to order breakfast. Our team had taken a trip from Toronto to do some research on bridging the literary gap, while comparing the commonalities between Urban Indigenous communities across Canada and the Urban Toronto communities we were familiar with.  An older white woman at the cash register was kicking out a disheveled (possibly homeless) Indigenous woman. “You are not allowed in here. I already told you that this morning! I don’t care how much money you have! Miss, how can I help YOU?” Me. I was surprised at her disdain for the lady, and warmth toward me. “It’s OK to serve the woman," I said to her. "I can wait.” Her response. “We don’t serve her kind in here.” Just like that. That was just one of MANY particularly eye-opening, and d...

In what has become an annual tradition, Kya Publishing partnered with Cleveland's Elevated Waves Publishing to present a special Writing Workshop for the Toronto Public Library last week, in association with their Black History Month programming. Over the years, the workshop has evolved from discussing the idea of Urban Fiction, to providing information about Urban Fiction...and then with increased participation, we established a format of having a panel discussion followed by one-on-one author chats in the latest editions of the cultural writing workshop. One thing has been consistent, and that is our dedication to letting writers know about the importance of staying true to their authentic voices, and also honouring their personal experiences. Whether writing Urban Fiction, Black Narratives, or developing cultural writing projects, all writers have entered the environment and left with the same spirit: one of increased creativity. This year's workshop highlighted a pan...

Yes, Jamaica is a real place. That's a question that commonly pops up on social media because some of the things you see about Jamaica...you can only see in Jamaica. And only understand it in a Jamaican context. I am biased by birth, but I truly feel that the island of Jamaica is magnificent for so many reasons. A place with beautiful weather, delicious food, the most charismatic people you'll ever meet, gorgeous landscapes, a tourism industry like no other, a unique style of music that has transcended borders and inspired a multitude of sub-genres within the genre, and an abundance of talent performing, managing, and maintaining the industry that makes this island experience one that millions continue to return to. Reggae Sumfest is one night of the year where Jamaica has the opportunity to put this talent on full display and remind the world just how powerful and influential reggae music is. Downsound Entertainment, in association with sponsors including Grace Foods, ...

Toronto is known for providing an excellent assortment of Caribbean-based artists during the summer concert season. From soca fetes, to reggae showcases, they are always live artists making appearances on boat rides, at event venues, and special music festivals while the Caribbean audience embraces the summer weather. On Saturday, July 27 On the Grand presents the first  Kitchener Reggae Festival , taking place in Kitchener, Ontario (approximately 100km from Toronto) at the Bingemans Centre (425 Bingemans Centre Drive), as a part of their mini-festival series featuring artists from all genres. At the ReggaeFest, attendees will be entertained by some of Jamaica's favourite recording artists: Konshens, Gyptian, Kranium, Luciano, and Stylo G. In addition to the live artists, the grounds of On The Grand will also feature vendors for a festival environment. The event will begin at 6:00pm, concluding at 11:00pm; this is a licensed all ages show. KONSHENS Originating from Kingsto...

Carnival Nationz Mas Camp Shantal Otchere for Now Toronto It's tradition. After the spring launches of the individual Toronto Caribbean Carnival masquerade bands, carnival enthusiasts and participants across the city and beyond can also look forward to the Mas Camp grand openings and the true physical beginning of the carnival season in the city. The Mas Camp is the hub of activity, construction, design, and camaraderie in the carnival community. It is a dedicated space where costume designers and their teams begin to carefully construct their costumes in preparation for parade day. It is the home for the individual mas bands, working towards the coveted titled of Band of the Year, based on their creativity, adherence to theme, and cohesiveness of their group/band overall. Carnival Nationz Mas Camp, Shantal Otchere for Now Toronto At the mas camp, not only can you witness creatives at work, but you can also take part in the development of the mas band for the seaso...

There were so many amazing reggae artists performing at the Rebel Salute roots reggae music festival this year that by 7 a.m., I was barely awake...but still engaged in the stage performances. Used to arena concerts events ending by 11 p.m. here in Toronto (or 3 a.m. for reggae performances in club venues), it was an exercise in stamina to be actively observant of everyone who touched the stage at Grizzly's Plantation Cove in Priory, Saint Ann. With my digital SLR camera in hand, and cell phone serving as a secondary recording device, I didn't want to miss a thing. Looking back at my footage  upon returning to Canada, it was evident to me that I had just experienced a once-in-a-lifetime cultural moment in Jamaica, and I felt blessed to have witnessed the performances and exchanges up close and personal. I have so many memories from that weekend. The feeling of pride, enjoying music amongst the Jamaican patrons, and lingering backstage with the likes of Capleton and Yendi: J...