Author: Kevin Bourne

In celebration of Black History Month, Vancouver duo Glo Romy and Leah McFly have released “Hip Hop Fashion Evolution”, a photo tribute to 90’s hip-hop fashion. According to the duo, “The 90’s continue to influence who, what, and why we wear what we do.” The photo project highlights some of the key styles of 90’s hip-hop that Black creators brought forth and pioneered. An era that reckoned with it all – chunky gold chains to Afrocentric beads and of course, the shiny suit. Today, we reflect on, admire, and appreciate the impact that 90s hip-hop has had on our style. To check out the full photo…

When most people think about marketing they think about funnels, websites, traffic, lead magnets, email list, copy and more. These are essential components to building a successful online marketing business but they are not primary. Let me explain. What’s keeping the majority of people from succeeding in the online space is this dogged obsessions with the tools of marketing and not the substance of marketing. The person running the business. You see, business is an extension of who you are as a person. The best place to build your marketing is from the inside out. Before you go out there…

Ottawa hip-hop artist, Mischa, recently released her latest single “Cruise Control”. Recorded at Raven Street Studios by audio engineer Geoff McNeely, with production from Toronto-based producer Jonny Brown, the song is about the rapper’s zero tolerance for negative energy and her refusal to settle for lower standards as she takes her place in the game. “I feel that my craft has seriously elevated due to the amount of time and effort I’m placing into conveying a top quality product for my audience”, Mischa explains. “I’m ecstatic to kick-off 2021 with the release of ‘Cruise Control.’ With plans to release numerous tracks…

Today, Ottawa artist, City Fidelia, dropped his latest single “Drugs and Loaded Weapons”. Known as a poet, community leader  and ambassador for the streets who tells the stories of inner city neighbourhoods, his latest release is a very timely commentary on racial injustice, police brutality, and their excessive force and systemic bias against people of colour. “Tryin’ to stay calm, stay strong when the TVs on Flipping through the news just to see another brother gone Even when the cameras on, they always acquitted Yeah they put the charges on, but never convicted” From its beginning, the song evokes feelings…

It’s that time again! SHIFTER’s Canadian Music Video Roundup for January includes videos from The Weeknd, NAV, Dax, Night Lovell, Duvy, Dillan Ponders, Cartel Madras, Lil Berete, TwoTiime, Young Smoke, and more! Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the country for January. Special shout out to our sponsor, realtor and Canadian hip-hop legend Greg Campbell. Last month you voted and crowned “Busy” by Vibebymel x Travis Thickle as your Video of the Month. Video of the Month //  Vibebymelo x Travis Thickle – “Busy” Who will win for February? Ja¥en x…

SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for February is Marcus Haran, a rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer born in Paris, France and raised in Toronto. Marcus’s interest in performing began at the age of six when his mother bought him a drum set and it was enough to light the spark that led to him discovering his passion for beat boxing, beat production, and rapping. Marcus has a rare and loud skin condition called Vitiligo, a condition that has gripped the likes of pop icon Michael Jackson, supermodel Winnie Harlow, and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachan, to name but a few. Representing…

Over the weekend, Toronto rapper Top5 was arrested in Windsor, Ontario and charged with accessory after the fact in the January murder of 20 year-old Hashim Omar Hashi. According to police, Hashi had no criminal background. Another man, 24-year-old Emmanuel Missah, was also arrested in connection with the case. According to Toronto police, Top5 was also charged with two counts of failure to comply with probation, three counts of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, as well as possessing items valued at over $5,000 that were obtained by crime. The controversial rapper is set to appear in court…

The 2021 edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival is in full swing and the first film on our radar is Foster Boy, written by Jay Paul Deratany and directed by Youssef Delara. Inspired by true events, Foster Boy tells the story of the dark side of the foster care system in the United States; a system corrupted by greed and private interests. Shane Paul McGhie stars as Jamal, an angry young man who suffered years of sexual and physical abuse while in the foster care system. After being released from prison for his own crimes, he sets his sights on…

Ottawa’s Jaioftherise is back with new visuals for “Take A Soul”, the lead single off his three-song capsule project titled Bad Guy’s Burning Wish  where Jai flexes his creative muscles, introducing us to his alter ego “Halfino”. According to the genre bending artist, the song, produced by a trio of talented Ottawa producers, including ProdbyVegas, Yung Heat, and 4TheWorld, addresses the ins and outs of what’s going on with his life and how he has gotten to be who he is today, as well as his desire to put his mother in a better place. “Promised my momma we ain’t going…

Today, Ottawa-based singer-songwriter and dancer, Marie-Clo, dropped her new EP Shell(e) Pt III along with the project’s first French-language single “Lève tes voiles”. “Making music in both languages ​​is important to me. I embody many things; I am a woman, an artist, a lover, an activist, bilingual and proud of it”, she explains. According to Marie-Clo, the Olivier Fairfield-produced project is about recapturing our power and strength and accentuating the positive sides of womanhood. She goes on to explain the songs on Shell (e) Pt III are even stronger, freer, more confident and features an uninhibited version of herself; a freedom we have…

Following the release of her music video “Worthy” which made her SHIFTER’s video of the month winner for December, Calgary R&B singer Justine Tyrell is back with new single “Radar”, a stripped down, acoustic R&B piano ballad about a former flame who chose to keep their ex on their radar. “Radar is a song that calls out the past lover who is stuck keeping the door to the past cracked open just enough to never fully let go of what they once had”, Tyrell explains. “The stripped down, and intimate mood recounts the one who still keeps an eye on…

Ten years after launching its streaming service in Canada, Netflix has announced it is opening a new Canadian office. To be opened in either Toronto or Vancouver, the office will allow Netflix to be closer to Canadian creators. Netflix also announced it will be hiring a dedicated Canadian content executive to run the office. “…we have built relationships with so many talented directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, animators and more…Canada is an amazingly diverse country and growing our presence locally will help us share more authentically Canadian stories with the world, whether through the development of original content or through co-production…