Ottawa’s Real House of Ensemble recently hosted their inaugural producer showcase featuring five local producers with special guest Pitt Tha Kid in attendance. In the basement of a commercial building in downtown Ottawa, Canada is a recording studio that has quickly become ground zero for the city’s bubbling hip-hop and R&B scene. In just over two years, Real House of Ensemble owners City Fidelia, a local hip-hop artist dubbed “The Mayor”, and Abe Abadi, and their roster of in-house producers and engineers, have helped churn out some of the capital’s dopest underground tracks. After dark it has doubled as an…
Author: Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne 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, including the Toronto International Film Festival, 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.
Love is in the air. But while new relationships begin, old ones come to an end. Kevin Bourne breaks it down in his All American season 4 episode 13 recap. Episode 13 continues to look at Coop’s legal troubles as she may do jail time for obstruction of justice for lying during Monique’s murder investigation. To raise Coop’s spirits, Patience plans a party for her but it ends in a fight as their relationship troubles boil over. With Patience’s album done, her dreams are now coming true, but Coop is feeling left out of her plans and Patience is still…
Justin Bieber’s Justice tour rolled into Ottawa, Canada bringing with it plenty of hits, inspiration and effortless cool. Tonight, Justin Bieber took to the Canadian Tire Centre stage in Ottawa for the latest stop on his Justice Tour in support of his 2020 release Changes and his 2021 release Justice. While other major stars consistently overlook Ottawa on their tours, Bieber never forgets to stop in the capital and fans thanked him for it. The Canadian pop superstar rung off hit after hit in front of a capacity crowd, including mega hits “Holy”, “What Do You Mean?”, Yummy” and “Sorry”. He…
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne highlights three Black organizations you can support this Black History Month and beyond. The past few years have been a trying time for the Black community, but in the midst of the ups and downs, some brave community leaders and social entrepreneurs have continued to serve our community from coast to coast. Here are three Black organizations you can support this Black History Month and beyond. Black Moms Connection Founded in Toronto in 2015 by award-winning creative storyteller, Tanya Hayles, the Black Moms Connection went from a gathering of 12 women to a “global village” of over…
Layla and JP, Spencer and Grace, Liv and Billy —this episode features some important parent-child conversations. Kevin Bourne breaks it down in his All American season 4 episode 12 recap. The episode opens with Spencer, Coop, Preach and Patience talking about the pending investigation against Coop in the murder of Monique. Spencer also continues to learn from his unlikely “zentor” JJ as he attempts a new approach to life and football. Meanwhile, Billy meets the preferred candidate for the permanent principal position. This leads to a father-daughter talk with Liv, one of the most beautiful moments of the season so…
SHIFTER’s new “People On The Move” feature takes a look at people moving on to new and exciting roles in our community and culture. Today, Toronto radio professional R. Chung is “on the move”. Long-time Toronto radio professional, R. Chung, has landed a new producer role at CBC Music’s Mornings with Saroja Coelho. Chung arrives at CBC Music from his current role as Associate Producer at CBC’s arts, culture and entertainment magazine program q, a role he started in October 2021. Chung took to Instagram to share the news. “Wanted to let the world know, as of April – I’ll…
SHIFTER’s new “People On The Move” feature takes a look at people moving on to new and exciting roles in our community and culture. Today, DJ Puffy and Ricochet are “on the move”. Today, Bajan international DJ, DJ Puffy, took to Instagram to announce his brand new daily radio show at Toronto’s Vibe 105. In the post he noted, “Today is the day! From Today you can catch me on your radio in Toronto, Monday to Friday, 5pm to 6pm. Feels good to be a part of the Vibe 105 family. Toronto let’s gooo!!!” DJ Puffy brings an impressive resume…
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says the Top Boy season 2 premiere “was definitely worth the wait”. The last time we saw Dushane (played by Ashley Walters) he was giving his nemesis Jamie (played by Micheal Ward) an offer he couldn’t refuse after holding the keys to his freedom. Season two picks up where the previous season left off, but first we’re introduced to a new character―Spanish drug supplier, Emilio. The episode opens with the drug kingpin murdering someone in the middle of the ocean, contrasted with his humanity as he learns his wife only has three months to live, promising her…
While Asher and Layla inch closer towards their dreams, Spencer continues to face setbacks in his D1 career affecting his relationship with Liv. Kevin Bourne breaks it down in his All American season 4 episode 11 recap. Billy and Laura are still adjusting to a full house. The investigation into Monique’s murder literally comes to their front door as the police show up to question Coop. Patience then confides in Laura, and tells her the whole truth, as we find out Coop is in more hot water than we originally thought. Billy starts his new job as interim principal and…
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne highlights seven Ottawa hip-hop tracks available right now on Spotify’s Northern Bars playlist. [UPDATED] Over the past few years, Spotify’s Northern Bars playlist has emerged as one of the premiere platforms for Canadian hip-hop music. So much so that a coveted placement on the list can single handedly elevate your career and get your name whispered in the industry. Although Northern Bars was once solely dominated by Toronto area artists, the curators have been careful to expand the list to include other major Canadian cities. One of the cities that has benefited the most from the expanded…
The second annual International Film Festival of Ottawa, known simply as IFFO, is back again, but this year things are going to be a little different. After being cancelled in 2020 and going online in 2021, the Canadian Film Institute will be welcoming audiences to in-person for the first time. Set to take place March 9th to 20th, IFFO will include cinema screenings and talks across the Ottawa’s downtown core, showcasing 27 of this year’s best feature films and 27 new Canadian short films. This exciting “festival of festivals” will also bring the best of the global film festival circuit,…
The whole gang are forced to adjust to their new lives as college football players and career people. Kevin Bourne breaks it down in his All American season 4 episode 10 recap. The overall theme for this episode is adulting and adjusting to the demands of their new lives. From the demanding schedule to intense competition, Spencer and Jordan must adjust to the demands of D1 football. Spencer also adjusts to going from being a star to just another player on the team as he attempts to get into the good graces of his new coaches. Meanwhile, Liv adjusts to…
