Toronto Raptors Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Tribute to Vince Carter

@mrvincecarter15 will always remain a familiar name and sport jersey in the city of Toronto, to which Carter brought to life the meaning of basketball, by not only being the star player during his time here, but exhibited how the game is played at a high level, and still does today.

Carter and the Memphis Grizzlies were in town November 19 to face the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre; as The Toronto Raptors celebrate their 20th anniversary. Throughout this season the Toronto team will pay tribute to players who have played over the years, and last night the franchise showed their appreciation to 'Air Canada' the greatest player to suit up in their 20 year history, Vince Carter.

This was VC only scheduled stop this season in Toronto, so it was fitting the organization show respect to Carter on his career with The Raptors which was presented in a video montage that brought Carter to tears. The sell-out crowd acknowledged VC at the ACC with a standing ovation with Carter's mother who was also in attendance at the game. Read more and watch the video of VC tribute, and also an amazing Vince carter 2014 season mix - 'Legends Never Die' done by @MaxaMillion711 .....Check it!

Starting From Scratch: Wins Global Spin Award - International DJ of The Year 2013

The Global Spin Awards was created to honor the world’s most dynamic and talented DJs for their contribution to the culture of music and entertainment: past, present and future; and the second annual Global Spin Awards went down Monday November 18th, in New York City at the Times Square Center. By now, almost everyone in Toronto or further more Canada knows of, or has heard DJ Starting From Scratch spin on the ones and twos. Scratch is a popular and talented DJ out of the T Dot, who has made a name for himself playing music in the clubs, at events, concerts, on radio, and also as a producer; and was awarded International  DJ of The Year 2013 by GSA. The GSAs have been classified as the Quality Standard of DJ Recognition by music industry executives and tastemakers.

SPORTS: Drake Named Global Ambassador of Toronto Raptors + NBA All-Star Toronto 2016

It was floating in the air this morning, but now it's a done deal...as National Post reported Drizzy #Drake is now the Toronto Raptors sport club new 'global ambassador' and the home town rap star will have say in the team's re-branding! This sounds similar to the major make-over by another NBA franchise when Jay-Z played a large hand in the revamping and a complete move of the now Brooklyn Nets as they are still transitioning, and fine tuning with new additions to their roster Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Read more on this Raptors 'mash-up' and watch the video...

T.O. SPOTLIGHT: Patricia & Moses Mawa - African Culture to Mainstream Media

The spotlight is shining bright for Moses and Patricia Mawa as this inspiring couple was recently featured on CNN International - African Voices. The Mawa's are building a media empire Silvertrust Media here in Toronto, and they talk about their humble beginnings in Africa, where they are now, and where they are headed with their unique media company. Patricia is from Nigeria and Moses from Uganda coming to Canada with just twenty dollars in his pocket, the two driven individual crossed paths while pursuing their passions film and media; and joined forces developing a media/ publication company showcasing African culture and diversity not only in Canada but throughout the world.

Read more on this business savvy couple and watch their candid interview with CNN as they share trials, triumphs, and what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs....

Drake Announces The 4th Annual OVO Fest

 #Drake announced last night his 4th installment of the OVO Fest, which will go down August 4th and 5th at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre here in Toronto (it's also rumored to be at a larger location - Rogers Centre due to crowd volume) when tickets go on sale  there will be a confirmed location. Headliners for Saturday concert will be Frank Ocean and James Blake, and Sunday Drake and 'special guests' will rock the stage.

Drake being a native of Toronto ties his 'festival' in with Toronto's main summer festival that takes place every year - Caribana which attracts over a million visitors to the city...For those who know, you already know how it goes down! Get ticket information inside and at T-Dot Event Listings and watch video from past OVO Fest with Young Jeezy and Jay Z....

TO Spotlight: Tasha Rozez



We always hear the expression "keeping it real" or 'keeping it 100", and I have always admire individuals who are genuinely themselves and unique, especially when they are performers of some type and are prone to having a 'spotlight' on them, and at the same time not allowing it to dim their inner 'light'. I found this to be the case after watching an interview with a talented and motivated individual who has contributed to her craft for 10 plus years and was recently interviewed by ZAGG (a leader in mobile and electronic accessories) - that showcases influential people and the use of modern technology and their gadgets, at the same time sharing their unique story.

Our spotlight is on the 'Conscious Rude Girl...That Dancehall Requires'...Tasha Rozez. Read more and watch her story inside...

New Music: Raekwon ft. JD Era - "Whatever Baby"

Toronto's very own JD Era is featured on Raekwon's latest joint "Whatever Baby" (which has a sample of Soul crooner Maxwell) and the track is the follow up to The Chef's 'Lost Jewlry' EP. This track is a gear up for the release of 'F.I.L.A.' which is reportedly out in June. Listen to Raekwon "Whatever Baby" ft. JD Era  inside...

New Music: Drake - "5AM in Toronto" + Drake Will Narrate for Kentucky Wildcats Documentary

Drake's side-kick and main producer Noah "40" Shebib released a new track via twitter earlier today entitled '5AM in Toronto'. On this track Drake is going hard, bussin' shots at his haters and biters. 5AM in Toronto is produced by Boi-1da and is somewhat of a follow-up to his freestyle '9AM in Dallas', which maybe included on Drake's next album to be released later in the year.

Listen to the track inside, plus details on Drizzy's up-coming narration for NCAA basketball documentary.

NEW VIDEO: Drake - 'Started From The Bottom'

After #Drake picked up a win for Best Rap Album 'Take Care' at the Grammy Awards last night, here comes a new video from Dizzy "Started From the Bottom". Directed by T-Dot's Little X (known as X), he kept the visuals 'home grown' featuring guest appearances by Drake's mother Shani Graham, producer Noah '40' Shebib, close brethrens (friends) OB O'Brien and Ryan. The video shows off the Toronto skyline and popular local retailer 'Shoppers Drug Mart' where Drake and his pals acts as employees, painting a picture of 'starting at the bottom' to ballin' in a mansion at a tropical location.

Watch the new video Drake - "Started From The Bottom" inside....

RnB Songstress Andreena Mill Is Making Moves

Andreena Mill (@andreenamusic) former member of the all- female trio X-Quisite which formed in 2001 and released two successful singles "No Regrets", and was followed with a music video for “Don’t Say” the group were also featured on hit TV shows Soul Food and the Canadian hit television show Degrassi, The Next Generation - the group also included Juno Award winner Melanie Fiona. In more recent years Andreena has worked with fellow Canadian artist Drake and also producer/ artist Saukrates on the well received tracks "Rewind" and "You & Tomorrow".

Read more and check out DMX ft. Andreena Mill "Cold War" after the jump....

Hot Off The Press: BOSS MAGAZINE Toronto's New Urban Magazine

This past summer I was sitting at a mechanic garage waiting for my car to be serviced and stumbled across @ThatBossMag while glancing over at the magazine rack. There was the mag poking out beneath many; and what stood out was a red headed sister (Trish - Toronto music artist) looking glam on the eye catching cover of a magazine I've never seen before. I moved the other mags to the left, and looked over the cover intensely, wondering why I have not seen or heard of the U.S. magazine before - automatically assuming it was so. I was delighted to learn once I began flipping through the wonderful layout, inviting and easy to read pages, that BOSS Magazine is right out of my very own city; via Jane and Finch! Hello!

I was even more excited and impressed reading about the contributors of BOSS who are all young creative minds, and future entrepreneurs who are building themselves and each other by giving a different voice (their own) from their community using this media platform.

Read more on this refreshing and vibrant publication, and the same for the editor-in-chief of the mag who is going against all odds by living up the name of the magazine 'Boss' lady Tamika Johnson.

T.O. Spotlight: Sstyles - 'Rush The Radio - #Vartist Movement' [Mixtape]



#Sstyles is a 24 year old multi-talented artist out of Toronto, Ontario who has just released his second mix-tape which offers a variety of 'styles' which prompts the title '#Vartist Movement - Rush The Radio'  available now and you can listen before you buy at Amazon. Sstyles describes the term 'Vartist' as a music artist that does various genres, which represents who he is as an artist. With tracks like "Exterior Pepper" and "Energy" the influences of his Caribbean background and RnB style are present. Sstyles joined Jennifer Joy for an interview recently, on CHRY 105.5 FM where he explained more about why he represents the various sounds which is a reflection of his Trinidadian culture, and Toronto as a whole.

Read more, listen to our full interview with Sstyles, and watch his video featuring Dudsymil "T Dot We Go Hard" all inside...

Debra Ehrhardt - JAMAICA FAREWELL Coming to Toronto

Jamaica native, Debra Ehrhardt is showcasing her experiences of her dream coming to America which has now become her reality; in her own stage play JAMAICA FAREWELL which is coming to Toronto, November 18th at the Al Green Theatre. 'Jamaica Farewell' is based on Debra's true life story and is a story of struggle, courage, faith, hope and determination. Ehrhardt is a member of the Writer's Guild of America, and was nominated for Best Actress and JAMAICA FAREWELL was also nominated for Best Drama in 2011 by the prestigious Actor's Boy Awards and has also received several awards.

This one woman show has received high acclaim from around the world and is currently in works adapting the story to the big screen directed by Joel Zwick, who also directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Read more on this amazing actress, and a video interview with the Jamaica Gleaner also with details on the up-coming performance...

T.O. Spotlight: DJ Fase

@DJFase is no stranger to the fader! He's been a Disc Jockey for 20 years and shows no signs of slowing down. He is also a music producer, radio host, and entertains music goers spinning at showcases/ concerts, and the Toronto club scene. Starting out with a couple friends in 1992 forming a trio collective of DJ's; shortly after, he became solo, found his passion and never looked back. To date, DJ Fase has been nominated for the Canada wide Stylust DJ Awards seven times; released an album and numerous singles, and 10 years on the radio at CIUT 89.5 FM -Toronto's longest running mid-weekly show. Check out our interview with this talented DJ, as he talks about his earlier beginnings, touring in Europe and opening up for Nas.

New Music: Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake – 'Poetic Justice'

#KendrickLamar and #Drake collabo on Drake's album Take Care - 'Buried Alive', and they have teamed up again on KL's upcoming sophomore album entitled good kid, m.A.A.d. city. The two artists have something that is working for them collectively, as they have also toured together earlier this year on Drake's Club Paradise tour; and now have released the new track 'Poetic Justice' which contains one of the baddest Janet Jackson slow jams 'Anytime, Anyplace'.

New Music: Wio K - 'Bout Wio'

#WioK is a music artist from East Scarborough, Toronto who is not new to the hip hop scene; he is one of many that reps the multi-talented collective known as the Mighty Monolith comprised of MC's, DJ's and producers; whom have been around since the late 90's. Wio-K released his solo debut album In Real Life in 2008 and just released an independent single 'Bout Wio', and is prepping to release more music for the masses. #MCMSTYLE is also preppin' for a future spotlight on this versatile artist....Right now, get up to speed with his talents and work.  Read more inside and watch the music video for Wio K's track 'Footloose' featuring Tasha Rosez....

TO Spotlight: Peep Sho Ft. Chip-Fu - 'Reap What You Sow'



(Peep Sho, Jennifer Joy, and Chip-Fu)

#PeepSho is an MC out of the Toronto and is originally from Nova Scotia, Canada; he is making moves in the music scene and I chatted with the 25 yr old on CHRY 105.5 FM where he premiered his new track 'Reap What You Sow' featuring Chip-Fu (of the influential 90's hip-hop group Fu-Schnickens), who was also live on the radio.....Listen to the full interview and featured track inside....

R.I.P. Sam 'the Record Man' Sniderman (1920 - 2012)

Sam Sniderman, founder of the Sam the Record Man chain of stores — still so memorable for its flagship location near Yonge and Gould streets in Toronto — has died at the age of 92. Opened in 1959, the store with the massive neon records was a fixture on the street until 2007. An October memorial service will be announced shortly....

Lauryn Hill performs in Toronto for Onexone Foundation

Lauryn Hill headlined an intimate show Saturday night for @ONEXONE foundation, at the Kool Haus in Toronto. In support of the annual event which takes place during the Toronto International Film Festival, and is held to raise awareness and funds for children in need worldwide.

The event was filled with Canadian celebrities, including rapper Kardinal Offishall, singers Jully Black and Fefe Dobson, Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk and others. It appears talent runs in the family, as Lauryn brings two of her children on stage, as her son picks up the mic to showcase his skills....

Music Video: Tona - 'Timing' feat. Kardinal Offishall

The visuals off Tona‘s latest mixtape, Reform School is for the single 'Timing' which features fellow Toronto artist Kardinal Offishall, the track is produces by Rich Kidd. Video directed by Briin “Briin?” Bernstein & Daniel AM Rosenberg.

Check it....