Author: Kevin Bourne

In time for the holidays, Ottawa rapper Lindasson blessed fans with his debut self-titled album LINDASSON. Although the cover art (created by Lindasson and Jdinero), as well as his name and the title of the album, are all a nod to his late mother, for Lindasson this debut release is about introducing fans to his name and brand. Recorded, mixed and mastered by the artist at home in his kitchen, with no features, this offering is the epitome of a solo project. Featuring a roster of all Ottawa producers, including ProdCr, Moreno, Dejesvs, Sweezy and Lindasson himself who produced two songs…

Directed by George C. Wolfe, produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf, and based on the Tony-nominated play of the same name, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes place during an evening in Chicago in 1927 and tells the story of how legendary Blues singer, Ma Rainey, and her band recorded the song “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. The film, which stars Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder, Fences) as “The Mother of the Blues”, Ma Rainey, also stars the late Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther, 42) as trumpet player Levee Green in his final role prior to losing his battle with colon cancer…

On December 11th, the Frank E. Abney III directed and by Paige Johnstone produced animated short film Canvas came to Netflix. The film tells the story of an African-American grandfather and painter who has lost his creative inspiration after the loss of his wife. We find him waking up alone next to the empty spot where he wife once laid as he is forced to embrace his new reality. Years later, it would be another woman in his life – his young and curious granddaughter – who would help him find his creative touch again. Through revisit old paintings he’s able to reconnect with…

Ottawa raised and now Toronto-based artist Kaptev recently dropped some new visuals for his new single “Miracles”. The song was written following the NBA Finals championship game which saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat. Inspired by seeing Lebron James overcome the doubters and haters to win another title, similar to how the Raptors did a season earlier, Kaptev penned this inspirational yet wavy track about overcoming the odds when people don’t want to see you win. “‘Miracles’ is about striving for the heights. It’s about not caring what the naysayers project, and staying loyal to…

Today, Ottawa rapper Lance Lorenzo released his brand new EP Vive la 808, a follow up to his previous 2020 release müde. The five-song project was conceived and recorded during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, from May to November of this year. If you’ve followed Lorenzo’s trajectory since his 2018 debut, you’ll probably agree this is the best music we’ve heard from him yet. According to Lorenzo, the project is a reminder of the pre-COVID times of going out and having a good time with your squad. “The idea was very heavily inspired by the new shift in our society, where…

It’s that time again! SHIFTER’s Canadian Music Video Roundup for November includes videos from NAV, 88Glam, FTG Reggie and FTG Metro, Nate Husser, K-OS, 401 WST, Dom Vallie, Dax, Kofi, Shopé and more! Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the country for November. Special shout out to our sponsor, realtor and Canadian hip-hop legend Greg Campbell. Last month you voted and crowned “Six Speed” by SVLM as your Video of the Month. Video of the Month //  SVLM – “Six Speed” Who will win for November? Justine Tyrell Worthy Release…

SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for December is Toronto-born and Kitchener-raised rapper, singer, songwriter and producer, Dom Vallie. Born Dominic Omario D’Aguilar Turton on September 13th, 2000, Dom started writing rhymes at 12 years old and two years later recorded his first song on a Blue Snowball USB mic he received for his birthday. From that point on, he started to take his craft more seriously and immediately began working on his debut mixtape Nights which was released in 2017. This was just the beginning for Dom. In 2018, on a road trip to visit family in Quebec, he was browsing through…

A number of Ottawa music media outlets have come and gone over the years, but there’s one that has been consistent in reporting on the latest in local hip-hop over the past decade – CapCityHipHop. The man behind the platform? Nathan Gravelle, known to many as “Thrilla”. Now in its 11th year, CapCityHipHop was created by Thrilla with the help of local professionals, consumed by the life of music, art and culture. “CapCityHipHop’s mission has always been to compile all of those elements and manifest them into a trending lifestyle, with the intention to promote and, for the most part,…

Calgary rapper Maro Opollo recently released the visuals for “Suicide”. Written and directed by Opollo and Sam White of Eighty4 Visuals, this video about a break up gone bad is something straight our of a horror movie. The scene opens with the main character texting his soon to be psycho ex-girlfriend, “It’s over”, and then cuts to him being chased in the woods by his knife-wielding, love scorned ex. The storyline comes directly from the song. She said that we should make our x’s disappear Without a trace, a cold case is never tried But my rebuttal never what she wanna…

Fresh off his performance at the 2020 Cranium Festival, Ottawa-based artist and producer, Yung Heat is back with his latest single “Blue Flame” featuring fellow Ottawa artists City Fidelia and newcomer eros north. On this industrial hip-hop and trap music inspired single, eros north talks about “independence, knowing your worth and making sure “independence, knowing your worth, and making sure the people around you match that energy”. Meanwhile, City Fidelia is back in his storytelling bag, rapping about his journey from struggling independent artist to where he is today. For the trio, the collaboration came together seamlessly and organically. “I…

Bring Ya Eh Game is hosting The 6th Annual Hip-Hop Food Drive in six cities this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the food drive will happen virtually via Zoom performances from December 15th – 20th, 2020. During the performances you can donate via e-transfer to [email protected] and the money raised will be donated to food banks in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa and Kingston. The event will be hosted by Dynamic aka Ya Favourite Lightskin of CHUO 89.1 FM. With the success of last year’s donations, Bring Ya Eh Game is proud to bring back the Hip-Hop Food Drive…

Bajan soca artist, Faith Callendar, recently released the visuals for her Summer banger “Don’t Break Yet”. Opening with aerial shots of Barbados, the video, shot and edited by Kristopher Streek and directed by Andre Clarke, features a bathing suit clad Callendar poolside with the girls. The song is a part of the The Paul P Project X Riddim Stream album which has played on the airwaves in Barbados since its May release and has been mixed by some of the Caribbean’s top DJs, from 2016 Red Bull Music 3Style world champion Deejay Puffy to Dr. Jay. The album also features Fiyah B. with…