Author: Kevin Bourne

In his latest column, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says that from Black-on-black violence to dissing women, Black men need to do better. I’ve been in a very introspective headspace lately. Since Migos member Takeoff was murdered last week I’ve been feeling sad; not just for him but for the state of Black culture. I eventually got over it, but that wave of sadness came back a few days ago when Drake and 21 Savage dropped their new album Her Loss. This was an album I was looking forward to. I mean, Drake is my favourite artist and he’s from Toronto. What…

Drake and 21 Savage have dropped joint project. Kevin Bourne calls it good but a bit predictable. Here’s our Her Loss album review. Tonight, Drake and 21 Savage dropped their recently announced album “Her Loss”. The joint project is a follow up to Drake’s often maligned 2022 dance release Honestly, Nevermind and 21’s 2020 release Savage Mode II. From the title, artwork, and roll out, including a fake interview with Howard Stern, it appeared we would be in store for some toxically masculine content from the Toronto and Atlanta duo. While we got some of that, we also got a…

“People On The Move” takes a look at people moving on to new and exciting roles in our community and culture. Today, Ottawa-based Global Basketball Trainer and Coach, Jamil Abiad, is on the move taking on new coaching roles in Reykjavík, Iceland. Long-time Ottawa-based basketball coach and trainer, Jamil Abiad, recently took to social media to announce the next phase in his career. “I have been keeping this a secret for awhile but the time has finally arrived. I am super excited to announce that I will be heading to Iceland for the next few months to be part of…

Zac and Fatima are still having friction and Andi’s life is about to get interesting. Here’s our Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 5 Episode 4 recap. The heat continues between Fatima and Zac at the gym over the situation with Karen. She had to tell Zac to let her go before her dark side came out. In other words, “I’m about to wil’ out”. Unfortunately, Zac’s tenant, Daija, messed with her at the wrong time. She tries to give him an offer he can’t refuse (which he does refuse). When Fatima catches Daija and her girls talking about Zac in the…

Migos rapper Takeoff was killed at 28 years old in an early morning dice game in Houston. Hip-hop reacts to the news. Atlanta rapper, Takeoff, born Kirshnik Khari Ball, was killed during a dice game in Houston in a shooting early Tuesday morning. According to TMZ, the incident took place after 2:30am at 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston. They were in town celebrating Jas Prince’s birthday. In a disturbing video, Quavo can be seen beside Takeoff’s lifeless body before yelling for help. A pool of blood is visible near his head. Two other men were also shot. WATCH – KB…

Charmaine drops her new single Borderlines, a heartfelt song and video about her journey, successes and family. Fresh off being included in SHIFTER and the National Arts Centre’s Innovators & Icons: Popular Music & Variety list, Toronto artist Charmaine is back with a heartfelt single “BORDERLINES”. Known for bangers, big dance choreography, and brash anthems about women’s empowerment, Charmaine peals back the layers, giving fans a closer look into who she is. “‘BORDERLINES’ tells more of a story about who I am and where I’ve been”, she explains. “I wanted to give listeners more of me. More of Charmaine. Every…

“Smooth, soulful and sexy”—those are the words to describe this track. Here’s a look at She Loves Me by TOBi. Toronto artist TOBi has been staying busy in 2022. After dropping a steady flow of singles and a COLORS performance that amassed over 120K views, the Nigerian born, Toronto-based artist is back with “She Loves Me”, a smooth, soulful and sexy track about about vulnerability and sensual love. The track is simply refreshing and counterculture in the current R&B landscape. “I wanted to make a song that is warm and celebrated sensuality”, he explains. “I feel like nowadays people think…

Futuristic architecture and fashion. Stunning landscapes. Here’s a look at the futuristic visuals for Easterland by Eva Shaw. If you’ve been following Eva Shaw’s career, you know she’s all about providing her fans with out of this world, creative, and often times, self-directed music videos. Since she dropped her album “SOLO” earlier this year through her independent label Mad fatti, she’s been releasing a series of fashion-focused visuals from the project for songs like “OUTSIDE” featuring Jazz Cartier and Kris The $pirit, “Midnight Strangers” featuring Thouxanbanfauni and DB Bantino” and “JUICE” featuring DillanPonders. This week, she blessed fans again with…

DVSN’s new album proves love is complicated and complex, beautiful and messy. Here SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne with his review of Working On My Karma by DVSN. Today, Toronto’s very own star R&B duo, Nineteen85 and Daniel Daley, known together as DVSN, dropped one of the most highly-anticipated R&B albums of the year titled Working On My Karma. Executive produced by Jermaine Dupri, the album caused a bit of an uproar right out the gate when the lead single “I Get Caught Cheating” was released earlier this year. Despite being a commercial hit, the single was criticized some for promoting toxic…

Zac and Fatima are having friction and Andi and Gary has some explaining to do. Here’s our Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 5 Episode 3 recap. Andi has explaining to do. Episode three opens with Danni wondering what happened between Andi and Gary (and commenting on how well endowed he is). She sticks around to make sure he leaves before going in on Andi for being MIA while her girls are going through some dire situations. Not only was she not there when her girls needed her, but she missed a call from a client. Later we learn that Sabrina has…

Spencer proves he has game after all and Liv finally gets a lead on her story. Here’s our All American season 5 episode 3 recap. Things are looking up for Asher as Coach Montes has decided to give him more responsibility, showing him what he does in the offseason and allowing him to scout players. His first stop is Crenshaw High School to see Billy about his players. It’s amazing to see Asher and Billy go from having a coach and player relationship to being peers. Billy shows him Jabari who Coastal California offers a full ride scholarship.  Patience is…

Drop The Needle isn’t just about a record store, but about the coming-of-age of Toronto hip-hop says Kevin Bourne in his Drop The Needle film review. With the explosion of Toronto music on the world stage, 2022 has been a year for the city to look back and celebrate its hip-hop roots. First, Drake and OVO staged the All-Canadian North Stars show during OVO Fest, featuring the likes of local legends Saukrates, K-OS, Kardinal Offishall, Infinite, and more. Then this past weekend, Canterbury Crescent Filmworks premiered its long-awaited documentary Drop The Needle in front of a sold out crowd at…