Author: Kevin Bourne

Recording artist and songwriter JAIoftheRise recently dropped two back to back collaborations with producer Will Moreno in “Do You Right” and “Situationship”. “I feel like we’ve all had a lot to deal with this year, we’re all going through our personal motions except this time we’re all dealing with a pandemic over our shoulders as well, so it just makes everything that much harder”, JAI explains. “I’ve still got my story to tell, but I think right now the people need some uplifting. So I’ve been trying to figure out how I can communicate the harsher parts of my story…

Chase Claypool has quickly gone from rookie to household name virtually overnight in a statement game. It’s safe to say that at the time Claypool was drafted, it wasn’t to replace Antonio Brown but more to facilitate the pain and transition into a new era of wide receivers in the great city of Pittsburgh. How swiftly that idea has changed. Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft (49th Overall), Canadian-born player Chase Claypool came into the locker room as the third ranked receiver on the depth chart, ready to fight tooth and nail to make a name for…

At SHIFTER, I always love a new store opening. Late last month, October’s Very Own, affectionately known as OVO, opened their latest store at CF Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa. We weren’t able to get inside for our usual video coverage due to COVID-19, but here’s a quick look at the new OVO store at CF Rideau Centre. The storefront is crafted from hand-finished blackened steel, featuring a brushed brass owl and wordmark signage. Continuing the upscale vibe seen at other OVO locations, the interior is fitted with Herman Miller furniture which features natural concrete panels and Nero Maquina marble…

Veteran Winnipeg rapper Fresh IE is back with his latest album “Heartbreaks”. The message of the project is very timely in light of the many heartbreaks of 2020. “These Heartbreaks are echoes of inner bruises that journey through our souls…OOH when we become stronger through our affliction, then Pop Goes the Weasel and we emerge as Overcomers”, he says of the 17-song project. “Life’s ups and and downs are like a Yo-Yo that test our humanity. Through rebirth we discover that we are no longer Slaves to the bondages and Shackles of the past, but we have a unique Purpose…

Three months after the release of “Up2Me”, which has 76K views on YouTube to date, Ottawa-based recording artist and songwriter TwoTiime has released “Bigger Issues”, his fourth official single and third music video of 2020 so far. Once again teaming up with New York producer GloryGainz, who also produced “Up2Me” and has worked with the likes of Polo G and YFN Lucci, the young and clearly mature beyond his years rapper talks about getting his life in order and taking care of his family before worrying about fame and jewellery on his new release. “Everybody goes through issues in life but…

Yesterday, the Canadian Academy of Cinema & Television announced the launch of their new Equity & Inclusion Fund. According to the statement, the fund is aimed at ensuring that Black, Indigenous and people of colour, as well as under-represented industry professionals “achieve increased visibility, accessibility, and recognition in our industry.” The fund has three overarching goals – Open Doors, Invest in Diversity, and Remove Barriers – including both new and existing programs. Open Doors is about providing training to under-represented creators. Specific initiatives include the Directors Program for Women and the Warner Media x Canadian Academy Global Writers Access Program,…

This past weekend, Ottawa, Canada played host to the first annual AFROWORLD Fest, presented by Equal Chance. Originally scheduled to be a live event, organizers decided to continue with a free online festival following with the theme “Safe At Home” following the spike of COVID-19 cases in the capital. The three day event was part of Equal Chance’s efforts to break the stereotypes, fight racism, discrimination and promote unity, love and respect among all members of our society. On Saturday night, AFROWORLD Fest presented the concert performances and fashion show spread out across different venues and locations around the capital,…

Romeyo Wilson is a name you soon won’t forget, as he is Toronto’s up next R&B singer. The Toronto native is one of the most underrated singers coming out of Canada. Wilson is a versatile singer with immense creative abilities, which shines through on every new release. His newest song “Text Me” is a certified smash. The melodic beat, soft vocals and amazing feature from Kim Kelly give you nothing but tropical vibes and a good time. ‘Text Me” is one of those songs that will have you vibing and singing along, but let’s touch base on the overall message.…

After a brief hiatus, hip-hop artist Cheko Salaam has returned releasing back to back music videos titled “Convalenscence” and “Celebrate”. The two videos speak of slow processes and cognitive dissonance, especially in today’s political and social climate. “Convalescence” appeared on Cheko Salaam’s December 2018 release Thirst Trap.  “‘Convalenscence’ introduces a work many men are in need of learning – the slow, non-linear process of healing from an injury,” the Missing LinX and Tapas member explains. “In a time where speed and immediate gratification reigns supreme, we must remember the slow violence, and therefore the slow healing, required to ‘convalesce’ from deep inter-generational wounds.”…

Following his collaborations with Nicki Minaj and DaniLeigh, Zimbabwe artist Bantu is back with his latest single “Leaving”. He recently performed the song at the FIFA 21 World Premiere virtual festival where he performed alongside artists like Dua Lipa, Diplo and Lil mosey. The song appears on the new FIFA 21 soundtrack and his signature African-contemporary pop fusion sound. The song was inspired by the all to familiar story of not knowing what you have until it’s gone. “I wrote this song with friend and frequent collaborator Johnny Yukon (Roddy Rich, Don Toliver, J Balvin, PartyNextDoor). The story for this…

Toronto native TiKA recently released “Sideways”, the first single off her highly anticipated debut alum Anywhere But Here, set to be released February 26th. The now Montreal-based songwriter, film composer, model and curator, took a moment of pain and insecurity and channeled it into her latest release. “‘Sideways’ was cultivated from a vulnerable place of immense pain when I was feeling a great deal of shame for making a mistake with a friend. I didn’t know what to do because I felt that I had ruined the relationship to the point of not turning back. It made me feel unbalanced and…

Zimbabwe born, Toronto artist Charmaine recently dropped her debut single “BOLD”. First impression – this rapper, songwriter and vocalist is completely raw, sexual and unfiltered, and not afraid to say what she wants. But despite lyrics like, “I’m addicted to this money. Why you think I’m so damn bold”, the single isn’t just about sex and money. There’s an underlying message of empowerment and flaunting what you got. The release also came with some brand new visuals. True to the song’s name, the Eye Blake directed video features Charmaine making a statement with bold makeup and outfits while owning exactly who she…