KB had a change to ask Ottawa-based Platinum Producer, Blasian Beats, about his successes, biggest collabs and more. Kevin Bourne: Even though you’ve worked with some big names in music, you’ve been pretty low-key in the past so people may not have heard of you. Who are some of the artists you’ve produced for who people might know? Blasian Beats: I’ve had the honour of working with many extremely talented artists over the years, many of whom specialize in different genres of music. Some of the more well-known artists I’ve produced for include Rick Ross, Nafe Smallz, NLE Choppa, Kodak…
Author: Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne, also known as "KB The Boss" or simply "KB", is a Toronto-based host/on-air personality, arts & entertainment journalist, TV/film producer, and communications and content strategist. As a commentator and freelancer, he has appeared nationally as a correspondent on CBC News Network and host on CBC Music. He has also appeared locally on CTV, CBC Radio, CityNews, Newstalk 1010, and ByBlacks.com, and in the United States on Fox’s Black digital TV network, Fox Soul. He has covered some of Canada’s top red-carpet events, from the Toronto International Film Festival to the Canadian Screen Awards, and has interviewed everyone from Kevin Hart and "Fast and the Furious" star Tyrese Gibson to Ziggy Marley, Ava DuVernay, Dascha Polanco, Lilly Singh, and Howie Mandel. His years of work as an entertainment journalist led to him being named a Golden Globe® Awards voter and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-Approved critic and being quoted as a critic in national ad campaigns for Black films and TV shows, both in Canada and the United States. Pivoting into the world of film and television, Kevin co-founded the film, TV, digital content, and live experiences company, SHIFTER Entertainment, alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah. Through SHIFTER he has produced a number of projects, including the Bell Fibe TV1 unscripted reality series A Date In The Life, serving as showrunner, executive producer, writer and co-director. Now, with a number of pilot and feature film scripts written and projects in development, KB is poised to continue to be a champion for Black entertainment and culture alongside his wife and business partner, Koliah.
Tensions continue to rise between Zac and Fatima over the situation with Karen. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 7. **SPOILER ALERT** “What’s up, baby?” This is what Zac tried to pull as Fatima pulled up at the salon to find Karen kissing Zac on the cheek. But she’s all business, getting him to sign paperwork for his son. Fatima isn’t the only person heated. Aaron saw the whole thing and presses Zac, who continues to be petty, before leaving. After Sabrina and Maurice learn they may do 15 years in jail, and Maurice threatens to…
Is the latest Mission Impossible film the best one yet? SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne weighs in in his Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning review. When talking about a film, it’s quite cliché to say that “fans are buzzing” and “critics are raving”, but in the case of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One the buzz is real. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the seventh installment in the legendary spy film series sees Tom Cruise reprise his role as Ethan Hunt, an aging but still capable top agent with the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). Hunt and his team, played once again by…
Tensions continue to rise between Zac and Fatima over the situation with Karen. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 6. **SPOILER ALERT** Things are heating up once again with a drama filled episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Zac and Fatima, aka Zatima, were built up as the seemingly unsinkable Sistas power couple only to experience major trouble in paradise. Although some fans may be upset with the drama surrounding the beloved couple, the storyline is adding big time entertainment value to the show. The episode opens with Danni waking up to find Preston in her bed…
The exhibition, built with contributions from the community, will explore hip-hop’s five pillars: breaking, emceeing, DJ-ing, graffiti, and knowledge through a timeline of art and archives The SHIFTER and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) are thrilled to announce the opening of 83 ’til Infinity: 40 years of hip-hop in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, an exhibition exploring the stories, legacy, and experiences of hip-hop in the Ottawa–Gatineau region. It will be on view from July 8, 2023, to February 18, 2024, and will open with a summer party on July 8th, which is being sponsored by the RBC Foundation as part of…
In this edition of Dope New Music, we look at new hiphop and R&B, as well as other genres, from artists like Burna Boy, Portion, Charmaine, Haviah Mighty, Mindflip, Boslen, and more. BOSLEN | “Crazy” Boslen is one of the most talented artists in Canada. Period. His songwriting and creativity are top tier, and he can do any style. He shows it again on his latest single “Crazy” with his effortless vocals and laid back groove. There’s a nostalgic feel to it with hints of late 70’s, early 80’s inspiration. Everyone is trying to do genre-less music, but…
Tensions are rising between Zac and Fatima while Andi hits Gary with the hard truth. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 5. **SPOILER ALERT** While last season there was a lot of drama with Maurice and Sabrina jail, season six is already shaping up to be a better season when it comes to storylines. There are stories evolving that will change the course of the whole show and Danni’s character has evolved compared to previous seasons when she was more in the background. Continuing from last episode, the show opens with Karen telling the girls that…
The Black Academy, CBC, Bay Mills Studios and Insight Productions have announced that singer and broadcaster Keshia Chanté will host the 2023 Legacy Awards. After a successful inaugural year, the Legacy Awards are returning to HISTORY this fall, but this time with a major change. Today, The Black Academy co-founders, Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, alongside CBC, Insight Productions, and Bay Mills Studios have announced that award-winning TV host and singer Keshia Chanté will be holding down hosting duties this year. Anderson and James hosted the 2022 edition of the awards. “Keshia was always our number one choice to host…
The Sistas learn more details about what happened with Karen at the salon. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 4. **SPOILER ALERT** The fire at the salon is long gone, but after tonight’s episode, a few new fires have been started leading to a lot of new drama. While Sistas has give us good episodes, there aren’t many that would be consider excellent. Season 6 Episode 4 was one of them (not as much on the technical side as in the drama and storytelling, but we’ll get into that later). The episode continues where the last…
Pam and Aaron are worried about Karen and Zac’s daddy drama continues. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 3. Tonight’s episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas opens what’s becoming one of the more unexpected and engaging storylines―what happened to Karen? While it probably won’t draw out too long, it’s a great piece of storytelling that has some wondering about the future of the character. Adding to the storytelling is Zac finding more about how his “son” is actually living. We’re seeing a different size of Zac as he before a father for the first time. Well, kinda.…
Joyner Lucas and NBA Youngboy team up for their Leo Son, ADHD Productions and Storm produced single “Cutt U Off”. Since arriving on the scene, Joyner Lucas has built a reputation as one of the best rappers in music today. Period. But there were still questions about whether he would ever rise to the level of stardom and recognition his talents warranted, especially in an era in hip-hop that values “vibes” or lyrics. Well, through a combination of elite bars and flow, memorable self-directed visuals, viral tracks like “I’m Not Racist”, remixes of popular songs like “Gucci Gang”, “Look Alive”,…
SHIFTER editor Kevin Bourne says of Lavi$h and his new EP You Made A Big Mistake, “his sound is indescribable, his tone and delivery are incredible, and his talent in undeniable.” If you spend time in Canadian music circles, one of the names buzzing right now is Lavi$h. With the backing of Chubbs from OVO, who is credited with discovering Lavi$h, and Def Jam Recordings, as well as a co-sign from Drake, the Zambia-born, Winnipeg raised, and now Toronto-based singer-songwriter is making a name for himself both north and south of the border. After dropping big tracks like “World In…
