Author: Kevin Bourne

Toronto artist Friyie premiered his new EP Never 2 Late in front of a packed house at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto. Here’s a closer look at the project. Last night, Toronto hip-hop artist Friyie treated family, friends, fans and industry insiders to a private black tie listening party at the Eglinton Grand theatre in Toronto for his new EP Never 2 Late. Part sit down interview, part celebration, the event was an example for artists everywhere on how to do a listening party the right way. Released today, the seven-track project, his first EP since 2020, features timeless tracks,…

Canadian hip-hop sensation Pressa drops Blame Me visuals ahead of his September appearance at Rolling Loud Toronto. Ahead of his performance at Rolling Loud Toronto and his return to the city after relocating to Los Angeles three years ago, Canadian hip-hop sensation Pressa has dropped a brand new music video for his latest single “Blame Me”. Released back on August 19th, the Da Realest produced track describes ‘having ungrateful friends when you’ve been looking out for them all your life.’ I’ve been wondering why these niggas, why they hatin’, why they change on me?OohI put everybody on, but when they…

Cholocash flexes his versatility, vocals and song making abilities on his new EP Love So Loud. Toronto artist Cholocash dropped a new EP this week and to say it’s a step in a different direction is an understatement. While he’s given us melodic vocals in the past, the rapper and songwriter shows off his versatility by getting in his rock and pop bag as seen on previously released singles “Was It Worth It” and “Leave Me Tf Alone” which are both included on the project. Sonically, Cholocash is in a lane all by himself within the Toronto music scene, choosing…

The Murder Inc Story season 1 episode 4 shows the legal trouble and 50 Cent beef that would change Murder Inc. forever. Here’s our recap. Episode four shows Murder Inc. still riding high, on top of the world. That’s until January 3, 2003 when the Feds raid Irv Gotti’s office and homes. The first part of the episode is dedicated to the relationship between Irv Gotti and Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, and the background story of the legendary Queens drug kingpin. The Feds are suspecting that Supreme is funnelling his drug money through Murder Inc. In the midst of the investigation,…

SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says CTV’s firing of Lisa Laflamme points to the changing job prospects in journalism and encourages more journalists and content creators to take the entrepreneurial route. Last week, Canada was rocked by the news that long-time CTV news anchor, Lisa Laflamme, was fired after 35 years with the company. To make matters worse, she wasn’t given the opportunity to say goodbye to Canadians like other long-time broadcasters including her predecessor Lloyd Roberts and CBC’s Peter Mansbridge. Imagine giving three decades to a profession and a company only to be dismissed as if your 35-year contribution never happened.…

SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne writes about why finding a place to rent in Toronto feels harder than ever, especially for Black renters. My wife and I recently decided to move back to Toronto after many years in Ottawa to raise our children closer to our extended family. After putting all our things in storage, we started the arduous process of trying to find a home in the Greater Toronto Area. Contrary to what many would believe, the most challenging part of the process wasn’t the rental prices; it was being Black. After having trouble finding a place to live, and in…

In his The Forever Story album review, Kevin Bourne calls JID’s soulful project one of the more satisfying albums of the year so far. When you listen to JID’s music you know what you’re going to get―bars, crazy flows and then more bars again. But on his new album The Forever Story he gives fans a lot more. Aside from his previous singles “Dance Now” and the Ms. Fat Booty inspired “Surround Sound” featuring 21 Savage and Baby Tate, the 15-track album is a whole experience. JID is a very unique artist in a lane all by himself. He exemplifies…

In his God Did album review, Kevin Bourne says while the may not be a classic, a good album that means something to DJ Khaled is actually refreshing. After dropping “Staying Live” featuring Drake and Lil Baby two weeks ago, DJ Khaled is back with his lucky 13th album GOD DID. While the single has done big numbers, it still fell a little flat with critics. But in the lead up to the release, DJ Khaled did what DJ Khaled does, went on his press run and created hype and anticipation around the project. After watching a number of interviews…

The Murder Inc Story season 1 episode 3 shows the label at the height of success with Ja Rule and Ashanti as well as the beginning of its downfall. Here’s our recap. In episode three, Irv Gotti and Ja Rule are on top and feeling the pressure to stay there. With Ja Rule outselling both Jay-Z and DMX, Gotti went from the pressure to top his success with Jay-Z and DMX to topping Ja Rule’s last album. We also get a look at the Charli Baltimore years at Murder Inc. and the early dynamics between her, Ashanti and Vita. But…

After giving us singles like “Hello” and “Gohan”, Iman Shumpert has dropped his first studio album This Car Ain’t Stolen.  From Shaquille O’Neal to Allan Iverson, there are a number of athletes who have tried to dabble in hip-hop, but there are very few who emerged as legitimate artists who have the potential to match their accomplishments on the field or court with their accomplishments on a microphone or stage. One of the rapper-athletes who is making fans a believer is Iman Shumpert, known artistically as Iman. After giving us singles like “Hello” and “Gohan”, arguably dropping the best verse…

Now that the season is over, let’s take a look back at the top five biggest moments from Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 4. Season four of Tyler Perry’s Sistas was full of drama as all the characters grew and evolved. Old couples broke up, new ones forms, and friendships were tested. Now the season is over, let’s go back and take a look at some key moments. Here are the top five biggest moments from Season 4 of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, episodes 12 to 22. 1. The doctor’s appointment Karen’s appointment at the doctor was a defining moment with a…

The Murder Inc Story season 1 episode 2 introduces us to a young Ja Rule and Ashanti, the label’s early roster, and the pressure Gotti faced to replicate his success with Jay-Z and DMX. Here’s our episode two recap. Set in 2000, episode two of The Murder Inc Story begins with Ja Rule as a new artist who had success on Jay-Z’s record “Can I Get A…” But questions remain about whether he could do it on his own record. Ja responds with “Holla Holla”, the big single off his debut album Venni Vetti Vecci. While the album sells two…