Author: Kevin Bourne

Ottawa rapper SVDVM recently dropped some brand new visuals for “Tv”, one of the tracks off of his 2020 mixtape SVISA. Featuring collaborations from El’mago, Mazeratiii, Lia Kloud, Xuave. and Ocean Lean, the project hit #60 on the iTunes Canada album charts when it was released last year. On the hook he channels some John Cena energy letting us know, “You can’t see me, unless I’m on your TV”. The confidence continues later in the track as he raps, “I’m high In the sky With spaceships I can’t come down” … “I don’t gotta lie I let money chat My swag drip so…

Yesterday, Regent Park rapper Lil Berete delivered his highly anticipated album Icebreaker 2, his first independently released project after moving on from the UK-based label New Gen/XL Recordings. The eight track album features previous releases “Murda” featuring 2kBaby which currently sits at over one million streams, as well as “War Ready” probably one of his most mainstream sounding tracks to date. Adding to the international flair of the project are “No Distractions” alongside British rapper and singer Nafe Smallz and “Big Man” featuring Detroit rapper Sada Baby which shows off his versatility as an artist. “It’s a song we’re I get to show…

Toronto’s EverythingOShauN and Halifax-based, St. Lucia-raised rapper Kayo have come together to drop their new motivational trap single “Wylin'”. Jointly produced by Toronto producers Xpress, aka DJXP, and former Noah “40” Shebib intern, 5PiECE, the song features 808s and simple yet dark minor piano chords providing the two rappers with the perfect backdrop to exchange confident yet mellow verses as they puff their chests out a bit and talk about their come-up while addressing their competitors and haters. Together they are bent on succeeding and pushing forward in the face of opposition despite the odds. “This song, especially the hook, is…

Ottawa hip-hop artist Mazyn (formerly Capé) recently dropped “Better Days”, his second release of 2021 so far. The song is an anthem of hope, meant to inspire the listener, especially given the times we’re living in. On the new single, the Egyptian international student, who started to write rhymes in his dorm room to cope with homesickness and the stress of university life, sheds light on his experience of starting a life in a new country. The song has a hopeful and almost youthful energy and optimism as Mazyn blends both modern and traditional hip-hop sounds. As he sings, “I been…

On Thursday, April 29th, Ottawa will play host to the second annual Capital Music Awards organized by the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition and the City of Ottawa and presented by RogersTV. The Capital Music Awards recognizes artists and members of the community who contribute to Ottawa’s diverse music scene. This second edition of the awards will showcase some of the best that the region has to offer, and help promote the local music scene to the rest of Canada and beyond. The awards would also provide a platform to honour inductees towards an Ottawa Music Hall of Fame, as envisioned…

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…