Author: Kevin Bourne

Notable Canadian fashion organizations such as The Fashion Group International of Toronto, Toronto Fashion Incubator, and the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards have helped promote, support and launch the careers of Canadian fashion talent for years. This year, a new fashion collective lead by marketing entrepreneurs Lidia Tesfamicael and Luxi Mathi has emerged out of the nation’s capital.  Lidia, whose academic background is in marketing and fashion design, is a fashion designer with a private label Lidia Daniel while Luxi is a certified makeup artist and founder of Luxi Management, a boutique marketing agency. The pair brought their years of experience…

For decades, Canada has produced some of the brightest comedic talent in the world, from John Candy to Tom Green. But while the United States has been home to comedians of all colours and ethnicities, here in Canada our biggest comedic stars have been…white, with comics like Russell Peters being the exception. But with the popularity of shows like Kim’s Convenience and Canadian comedy institution This Hour Has 22 Minutes adding some colour to their cast in recent years, the tide may in fact be turning. Here enters Taiwanese-Canadian comedian, Ed Hill – one of the talents helping to change the face of comedy…

Ottawa-born and now Toronto-based artist, Vi,  is back with “Victim”, the first single off her forthcoming EP After Life set to be released later this year. While she has featured on a number of songs in recent years, including her most recent collaboration with Denver, Colorado based duo Stillo, the single marks her first solo release in two years. On the moody and introspective track produced by JayOnTheJuice and Txpski, Vi speaks of still being under her former love’s spell, despite everything they put her through, and her need to finally let go. “Feel distant and cold, with your hands around my throat.…

Vancouver artist and former SHIFTER Artist of the Month, Boslen, recently returned with his first release of 2021 titled “Trip”, the first single off his upcoming debut album DUSK to DAWN. Blurring the lines between pop, hip-hop, and R&B, the track is literally a sonic trip as the Jamaican and Indigenous Canadian artist marries smooth and steady vocals with a high energy delivery.  On the track, he takes some time to address his haters and anyone who will stand in his way. “I’m ducking the bullets, I’m ducking the clowns/You live life to the fullest ‘til you not around.”  Today, he followed…

Viola Davis turned heads at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. The designer behind her gown was Los Angeles based Claude Kameni of Lavie by CK. Last night was the 78th Golden Globe Awards, a time for the who’s who of Hollywood to get dressed up in creations from their favourite fashion designers. Although the event was semi-virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic with nominees appearing by Zoom, that didn’t stop them from getting all dressed up for the occasion. One of the nominees turning heads last night was Viola Davis in her custom gown made from silk cotton African print.…

A lot of creatives struggle with the idea of being a business person. They struggle with sales, marketing and charging appropriately for what they do, but the reality is every artist or creative is an entrepreneur. Every. Single. One. We’ve all heard the term “starving artist”. According to Wikipedia, “A starving artist is an artist who sacrifices material well-being in order to focus on their artwork. They typically live on minimum expenses, either for a lack of business or because all their disposable income goes toward art projects.” In all honesty, I used to be one of those. Aside from running SHIFTER, I…

It’s the last day of the month which means it time for SHIFTER’s Hot Tracks for February featuring Lil Berete, Young Smoke, Eva Shaw, RND Freeman, Boslen, Manila Grey, 88Glam, Maurice Moore and more! Here are some of the hottest tracks we heard all month! https://open.spotify.com/track/7kMEd6Qm7QJiI7rK6Nd63I?si=RwrhbjgeTG24k3nFDaE1og Lil Berete x Young Smoke x Tizzy Stackz // Toronto Big Body https://open.spotify.com/track/0w6y4maRD6XNCF5aThJ2ib?si=CkaMS3BgRKCUO7s6meHohg RND Freeman feat. Jupleci // Ottawa Picasso https://open.spotify.com/track/5toJOk9lwGQE323SnQ8Tii?si=mcr4-NfMSQyLhgORyeY_xw Boslen // Vancouver Trip https://open.spotify.com/track/4ywUkS8jnN4Y3kZs4w5eCy?si=v92Om8HKTfuVgZXJ5K1Fow anders // Mississauga Late To The Party https://open.spotify.com/track/2B73yXhWo8qRXJFtcffsCW?si=gHxykDZsTH6A5MDJIDnJMw City Fidelia // Ottawa Drugs & Loaded Weapons https://open.spotify.com/track/0uxx8eoacMQpkArNKF2OsW?si=pexfSEYUQ5esy-gWedTdTw Eva Shaw, Yung Tory & BTK Villeio // Toronto Hennessy Producer: Eva Shaw…

Executive produced by Sean Combs, Voletta Wallace, Mark Pitts, Stanley Buchthal, and Emmett and Brendan Malloy, Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell is an intimate look at Christopher Wallace the man through the eyes of those who knew him best. Through rare behind the scenes footage shot by long-time friend Damion “D-Roc” Butler and interviews with close family and friends, Biggie the rap superstar gives way to Christopher, the sometimes quiet and shy son and friend. The film also takes us on a deep dive into the many influences that helped him become the rap superstar he eventually became, from…

Today, Los Angeles-based songwriter, producer and R&B artist, Jessica Jolia, released her new single “No Question”. The song, with its smooth and laid back groove, tells the story of Jolia and her love interest seemingly playing a game of cat and mouse as she keeps her eager lover waiting, encouraging them to make sure this budding relationship is what they really want. “You just gotta know You just gotta know I like moving slow You say what we waiting for Don’t mean to leave you guessing Might not show, but it ain’t no question” The song explores the complexities, and…

After featuring on fellow Ottawa artist Lindasson’s big single “A Lot” alongside FTG Reggie, Night Lovell recently dropped his latest single called “Counting Down The List”. Well, today he treated fans to some brand new visuals for the single directed by Avery Stedman. Featuring a dark aesthetic, the video features shots of Lovell alone, speeding down an empty road in his Mercedes E55. We also get some cool effects as we see him in a room cloned, surrounded by multiple versions of himself in different poses. Check out the brand new visuals for “Counting Down The List”. SHIFTER Music

Black History Month is always a time to reflect not only on the historical achievements of Black Canadians but also on those who are blazing a trail for themselves and the community today. With the unfortunate events and racial tensions of 2020, conversations have increased in the Black community about the need for more business ownership and economic development en route to true inclusion. Every day at Invest Ottawa we get a chance to meet bold entrepreneurs who are doing just that, whether it’s through our Digital Main Street or Starter Company Plus programs. In celebration of Black History Month, Invest Ottawa is highlighting…

SHIFTER editor-in-chief, Kevin Bourne, recently interviewed Lykx, a self-taught DJ, producer and turntablist, and 2020 RedBull 3Style Canadian champion (the first ever female to hold the title). In this exclusive she talks about her native Montreal, being a female DJ in a male dominated industry, and of course, her big win at the 2020 RedBull 3Style Canadian championships. KB: First off, what’s your ethnic background? Where are you from? LX: I’m a mix of Caribbean and Afro-Latin descent – Haitian, Cuban, Martinican and Dominican. KB: And you’re obviously from Montreal. What neighbourhood in Montreal did you grow up in? LX: I grew…