Author: Kevin Bourne

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…

By Allison Kugel As leader of the legendary multi-platinum selling rap group, The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, or Bobby, as he is known to close friends and colleagues, had a particular way of putting beats to razer-sharp lyrics that made you feel part of a song’s creative process. Fans feel RZA’s music, both from Wu-Tang and his solo and collaborative efforts, on a cellular level.  An urban-bred intellectual who expresses through a mic or camera lens, RZA is considered prophetic to his community and perhaps a unicorn to mainstream culture. With a penchant for Eastern philosophy as is evident in the…

Ottawa R&B artist and dancer, Queenyy is back with “Distance”, the latest single from her 2020 EP of the same name. The project and single tell the story of the ups and downs of long distance relationships, including jealousy and distrust. “‘Distance’ paints a picture of how jealousy can be contagious in a relationship”, Queenyy told SHIFTER. “I’m the type of person that if I say I’m your girl, I really mean that there’s no one else in my life – ‘When I said I felt it, I meant it.’ But if you still don’t believe that I’m being true,…

Since the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the resulting conversations surrounding anti-Black racism, artists and fans alike have been calling for greater Black representation in the Canadian music industry. In celebration of Black History Month, Warner Music Canada is presenting the first ever installment of Black Alliance Vol 1 featuring artists from the labels Black roster. The six song project features covers of legendary Black anthems with a bit of a modern twist, including Charmaine’s cover of “U.N.I.T.Y.” by Queen Latifah, Just John’s cover of Missy Elliott’s “My Struggles”, Amaal’s cover of “Brown Skin” by India.Arie, Myles…

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on live entertainment all over the world, from live music to sporting events, with many savvy entrepreneurs and creators taking to social media and online streaming services to provide fans with a temporary virtual escape in a time when many need it. One of those individuals is comedian, content creator and entrepreneur, Kevonstage, who’s roots in social media and online comedy have positioned him as one of the leading producers of comedic content over the past year. One of his mid-pandemic ventures is the Keep Your Distance comedy show series, now 12 volumes deep,…

Fresh off his appearance on Hello Canada’s “Seven up-and-coming Canadian musicians to watch in 2021” list, Ottawa artist and producer, AP, is back with his trap anthem “On God”. Written and produced by AP and mixed, mastered and engineered by Lindasson, the song blends high energy trap production with a well-needed message of hope for the future, despite how things may seem. “‘On God’ is for anyone who has experienced a discouraging situation and felt like they would never overcome it”, he told SHIFTER. “It’s about speaking life into hopeless situations because I believe there’s always hope for better.” AP…

“Hey CR”. If you’ve listened to enough Ottawa and Toronto hip-hop you would’ve hear this drop. And who exactly is “CR”? He’s the young blazing hot hip-hop producer who is working with some of the top up and coming artists coming out of Ontario’s two largest cities, from Duvy and Young Smoke to Lindasson. Fresh off the release of Duvy’s “Southway”, Young Smoke’s “Block Boy”, and Night Lovell, Lindasson and FTG Reggie’s “A Lot”, SHIFTER editor-in-chief Kevin Bourne aka KB The Boss had the opportunity to ask the Ottawa-based producer a few questions about his start as a producer, his…

A month after dropping “A Lot”, the biggest single of his career to date, alongside Night Lovell and long-time friend FTG Reggie, Ottawa hip-hop artist Lindasson is back with “Don’t Tell”, the first single off his self-titled debut album Lindasson. Produced by Ottawa hip-hop producer Dejesvs, the song has a laid back vibe with a slight bounce and shows off Lindasson’s wide vocal range. The Electric Dreamstate shot and edited video features unique camera angles and visual effects, including photo collages and ghost-like effects. Although visual effects are standard in music videos today, the use of seldomly used filters diverts from…