Artists
2012 Juno Awards
Ottawa- It’s the one night of the year that we proud Canadians can sit back and enjoy watching all our fellow countrymen and women get recognized for their music! As Rapper Classified stated; “It’s not about your hair or how many Twitter followers you got, it’s about the music,” -you can only think that he partially took a jab at Justin Bieber with that statement, or so say the rumours.
Thousands of fans packed ScotiaBank Place, only to prove that music is alive and well here in Canada, and the people who should give a damn, are certainly doing so. I thought it would of been a bit deserted considering that the Biebes himself, along with Drake, Michael Buble and even the night’s top dogs: The Sheepdogs were not there. Still, an array of awards were handed out and even those who could not attend came up big! I’d say the most well deserved award of the night went out to Dallas Green, as he won for Songwriter of The Year. I could not of thought of any other artist who deserved it more!
There is usually much criticism shared about the Junos every year, and although I wouldn’t say that this one was the best one yet, I think it still showed Canada‘s true colours and true talent! We have a lot to brag about here, and maybe if the people who always have something negative to say about the award show actually tuned in or even LISTENED to our artists’ actual music, they’d probably feel a lot differently! Don’t get me wrong, I know that even I don’t really agree with the whole outcome but in the end of the day they all earned their awards. Saskatchewan’s: The Sheepdogs’ song “I Don’t Know” won them Single of the year, and not to forget they also won for New Group of the Year, and “Learn and Burn” earned them Rock Album of the Year. Justin Bieber won the Fan Choice award, while Michael Buble’s latest Christmas album won him Album of the Year. Canadian songstress; Feist won Artist of the Year, while leaving Drake, Bieber and Buble in her dust! Dan Mangan took home two Junos for New Artist of the Year, and Alternative Album of the Year. Hedley won for Pop Album of the Year, while Adele’s “21″ awarded her with International Album of the Year. For all you dance lovers out there; Martin Sloveig and Dragonette’s hit: “Hello” won for Dance Recording of the Year.
Huge shout-out to Toronto’s Drake for winning Rap Recording of the Year, and Melanie Fiona for winning R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for: “Gone and Never Coming Back“. Deadmau5 ended the show on a high note, LED mouse face and all; while performing “Cube”.
Later Peeps!
-Chris Ferreira (Twitter: @_chrisferreira)
Julian Cruz is an XO affiliated artist from Toronto who recently released “Black Heart”, a mixtape with a soothing and tuneful r&b melody. It will definitely entertain those who appreciate the impeccable sound of fellow Torontonian, The Weeknd, as it has that resembling, exclusive feel. Let us know what you think!
Add Julian on twitter (@jmcjuelz) or visit HearJulian.com to download the new mixtape.
Slacker Canadian Music Week
This year is a bit more special than any other year in Canada’s most commemorative feast when it comes to honouring our own sound of music! Slacker Canadian Music Week is celebrating its 30th year and we all know what that means…hitting this milestone full throttle! Toronto hosts the 5-night event, and the city will be buzzing with musical talent! We can all expect a great week in T.O!
Not only has the CMW earned its stripes in North America when it comes to entertainment, anyone attending any of the events planned out for the week will indulge in everything music and then some! This is the primary focus when it comes the music and all of its business. The city will be consumed by countless live events that will open up your knowledge of the musical artistry that this country owns, all while adding so much more. Aside from the performances, and over 800 bands doing what they do best at 60 live music venues (all downtown) along with the New Music Festival, you will also be able to attend conferences, trade exhibitions, award shows, a film festival and even a Canadian International Comedy Fest. Sounds busy huh? This is the music lover’s aphrodisiac, and what better way to witness the legends of music writing, legends of radio, Hall of Fame inductees and much more? Seriously, this week will be full of great gigs!
If you haven’t checked out the CMW then you owe it to yourself to check it out this year! This is where music matters, and so much more. There is so much more than just spectating the event! Get involved, reach the conventions, and meet the masterminds behind the business of Canadian music! This is the right city to host it, so take advantage of it!
The 2012 Slacker Canadian Music Week takes place from March 21st to the 2sth! Visit www.cmw.net for more information!
Plug in and press play!
Later Peeps!
-Chris Ferreira (Twitter:@_chrisferreira)
Our good friends over at Numu.TV recently featured “The Prospects II” participant, Ablyss, on their new channel on youtube. Numu.TV is a new and innovative music media platform offering free online exposure to Canada’s developing and unsigned musicians. Just like WhatsGoodToronto.com, Numu.TV aims to expose those talented underground artists by showcasing them on their online platform.
Make sure to keep an eye out for Ablyss’ upcoming mixtape entitled, “Hear Me Out” — coming out sometime this month!
For now, watch him do his thing!
Another single by the talented Ray Lontoc. “I Am Hip Hop” will be available for download, along with several other singles later this spring.
Produced by Adrian Adonis.
Check out www.RayRayRay.net for more on Ray Lontoc.
#TheProspectsII
If you weren’t inside Lambadina Lounge last night then you should probably go and jump off a cliff! LOL..I’m playing, but on a serious note, if you really were not there then you missed one->hell->of->a->show! WhatsGoodToronto.com presented The Prospects II last night, and we already knew to anticipate an amazing night but I don’t even think that it was going to be that INTENSE! I don’t even know if there are many words to describe it! The top ten artists hit the stage, and did what they do best! The crowd loved it, the delivery was A+, and I think it’s safe to say that most, if not all of the artists probably learned a new thing about themselves! It was a true honour to have these prospects walk our talk, and proved that they too deserve to be acknowledged and considered!
It ain’t easy getting in front of a crowd, and delivering what you may think is the goods but to the spectators; it could be nothing special! Regardless, I know most of the ones who joined us last night would back me up in saying that each artist was true, talented and special! You all did exactly what an event like that is suppose to showcase, so good on you for stepping up to the plate! I know there are a ton of photographs that will be shared soon, and of course a special video feature from WGT, so please stay posted for that! Until then, ask your friends about the show, and make sure you make it out to the next one!
Special shout-out to everyone who came out and supported! You were a kick ass crowd! Also, thank you to Lambadina Lounge, Jason Matos, The Hipstersz, DJ GIO, STR888 FIAAA, and Prospects 1 winner, Chris Brooks! Also -> Bryan! We did it homie! Thank you to all of our family and friends who showed love, and helped out!!
Artists:
- JR LU, Erik Flowchild, D Bonez, Black Swiss, Christian Reyes, Jelly To Fly, Ablyss, Caliph, D*Rell, JDon
You did it! Thank You!
Later Peeps!
-Chris Ferreira (Twitter:@_chrisferreira)
Erik Flowchild is one of the artists participating in this thursdays (March 1st), “The Prospects II” event to be held at Lambadina Lounge — hosted by WhatsGoodToronto.com.
Get to know Erik and his music by downloading his latest mixtape, The Chixtape II. CLICK HERE to download.
Toronto’s own, Honey Cocaine (from Tyga’s LAST KINGS label) released her latest mixtape last week on Valentines Day entitled, #FUCKYOFEELINGSVOL1. If you haven’t downloaded it, CLICK HERE to do so.
Toronto artists doing it big. #WhatsGoodToronto
Courtesy: www.theairplaneboys.com
The Airplane Boys are back, and man are they ever making a sweet landing! It’s been quite the ride for these two Torontonians. From touring the UK with the iconic Snoop Dogg, to creating something new and fresh, their latest project entitled: “Alignment” is nothing short of genuinely, creative material! From track number one, which shares the albums title, the boys give you the listener one piece of solid advice: “let your mind free”, and from there you already know that you my friend, are in for one hell of a ride!
Very rarely do we hear a consistent freshness to music with any artist, let alone a duo. Something about these two just click and in their latest mixtape, clicking is probably an understatement. Beck Motley and Bon Voyage along with their great team of producers, writers and of course their family inside the world of Beau Monde, (which track four off of the mixtape is named after) have created something that will have your head bobbing and your ear drums screaming for more! As I sit here writing this blog, I got “Alignment” on replay and although I had already assumed that “Dictate” was going to probably be my most favourite track off of the mixtape, I can’t get “Still Young” out of my head! Not only is the beat off the hook, but this tune has got me smiling and reminiscing on my young years and the fact that I don’t ever want to grow old, but just like APB says -> “Forever young, even when I’m 60…” <—YES!
Song after song, I found myself not wanting the track before the next to end but eager to hear what’s next! Makes me wonder how nowadays, there are plenty of albums/mixtapes that don’t even compare to that one hit that spawned from them, but trust me you won’t be thinking that once you download this one! If you disagree with me, please let me know so I can laugh, then potentially take you to the ear doctor! 
“Alignment” has it all! It’s consistent, energetic, reminiscent and creative! Now imagine all of that bundled into 16 great tracks fully equipped with attitude, true words and pride! The Airplane Boys have come a long way in their music career thus far. From songs such as: “Sleep”, “Escape”, “Where The Wild Things Are” to their latest tracks: “Affliction” and “New Blood”, it’s no wonder why all of us who dig each of their joints, always anticipate the next one! Everyone has their own opinions and to each is own, but I’ve heard my fair share of mixtapes, singles, albums especially since joining WhatsGoodToronto.com and I’m pretty confident enough to say that this current one is unique and rich, while being the exact epitome of what music SHOULD be today! We highly recommend that you download it and tell your friends about it!
You can download “Alignment” by clicking on this link-> www.theairplaneboys.com
Enjoy Peeps!
-Chris Ferreira (Twitter:@_chrisferreira)
Check out Ray Lontoc’s very first music video for the track, “Hear You Say”, off the #EE mixtape.
Directed by Jason Matos
Shot by Luc Capasso & John Klassen
www.jasonmatos.com | jason@jasonmatos.com
