Author: Kevin Bourne

Now that the dust has settled on Beychella and we’ve watched the performance a good two or three times, it’s time to have a very important conversation. Where does Beyoncé stand on the list of the greatest performers of all time? After Beyoncé’s breathtaking performance at Coachella, a conversation ensued on whether or not she has officially surpassed Michael Jackson as the greatest live entertainer of all time. After going back and comparing performances from the two, I’ve come to my own conclusion. Now, if you guys don’t know, I’m a huge Beyoncé fan and even my eyes opened pretty…

Quinton Barnes is a singer/songwriter and producer based on Toronto, Ontario. Though firmly rooted in pop/R&B, his music draws from influences as diverse as Prince, Michael Jackson, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. An electrifying performer, Barnes’ tour de force lies in his stage show, where he dances and powers through an exhilarating set of all-original tunes, rarely stopping to take a break or catch his breath.  Biggest accomplishment so far: My biggest accomplishment thus far would be the last few music videos I released. I put a lot of time, energy and creativity into making sure that they turned out exactly…

The Window of Opportunity for a Title is Closing Fast. The Toronto Raptors give their fans headaches and anxiety. When it’s playoff time they’re known for making a win seem more difficult than it should be. It’s like grilling chicken on the barbecue. It tastes amazing when the meat is thawed, seasoned and marinated beforehand, and it doesn’t take long to grill. The Raptors are like the griller who forgets to defrost the chicken and puts it on the grill while frozen. It takes longer to cook and it only tastes okay because it wasn’t probably prepared. Raptors fans were…

For better or worse, our lives are physical expressions of the narrative we tell ourselves everyday. This narrative is a story about the world the world around us which we adopt and act as a character in. How we see ourselves in light of our past and current circumstances determines the role we play. We’re either the victim, blaming others for our lives, or the victor, taking responsibility for our lives.  If we’re honest, we all go back and forth between the two. Unfortunately, none of us are immune from the disease of self-pity. I see it in myself and I’m…

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, the 33-year-old rapper who took the rap game by storm with his mainstream debut “Work Out”. J. Cole has consistently dropped great albums since 2011 and his numbers tell the same story. Whatever reaction people have about this piece of work, it’s sure to go platinum. Absolute classic masterpieces like 2014 Forest Hills Drive showed Cole’s ability to produce classic albums. Shortly before his latest album, KOD, dropped, Uncle Cole decided to confuse everyone with some unnecessary over the top depth, tweeting out the threefold meaning of the album title KOD- Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed and Kill Our…

Last week Ottawa city council unanimously approved the long-awaited Ottawa Music Strategy. The strategy is a result of the Connecting Ottawa Music: A Profile of Ottawa’s Music Industries report released a few years ago, which also led to the creation of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, a membership-based organization dedicated to growing the local music industry. The first thing that stands out about the strategy is its ambition. The strategy beautifully lays out the changes that have happened in the city in recent years, and those that are underway, providing context for the transformation happening beyond the music industry; a transformation that will no doubt affect the…

Pro Sports Gaming Could Become the New Frontier. I’m sure most of you won’t believe me after reading these words, but I’ll try to convince you anyway. The NBA has created an official NBA 2K League. No. this isn’t a joke or click bait. This is real. The ‘National Basketball Association’ has created a virtual league based on its best selling video game. Before you ask me about how official or credible this is, just know NBA commissioner Adam Silver was on hand at the first ever 2K League draft a few weeks ago, when real NBA e-franchises, who are…

Jebril “Fresh” Jalloh is the CEO and founder of ‘The Get Fresh Company’. At the tender age of 15, he had a vision of owning his own store called ‘The Get Fresh Company’, and he never lost it. Jebril has gone from hustling clothes from the trunk of his car to owning his own store, which is a major staple in Toronto, located on Queen St. West. Being the first Toronto brand to collaborate with PUMA, and having a partnership with Remy Martin, Jebril is making a way for the next generation. He shares his journey and talks about not…

SHIFTER Sports writer Markus Marshall interviewed Ottawa Fury FC coach Nikola Popovic earlier this week. The club has suffered two heavy defeats at the start of the USL season, although producing two spirited performances. Popovic took the time to share with us his feelings on the start to the season, what life has been like since he arrived in Ottawa just a few months back, and opened up about his life and career as a coach. The fans of Fury FC have been looking forward to hearing from their new head coach in-depth and Popovic certainly didn’t disappoint. SHIFTER Sports: What…

Growing up on Keele Street in Toronto was a great experience. It was a good neighbourhood, and after a quick trip to Lawrence West station the city was at your fingertips. That all changed when we moved to Mississauga. Instead of roaches we had horses across the street and the smell of manure in the air. That was Mississauga back in the early 90’s. I still remember the sign that welcomed you to the city near Pearson International Airport- “Mississauga: Population 383,000”. Today that population has nearly doubled, the horses and cows (along with their manure) have gone, the farms…

Belcalis Almanzar, aka Cardi B, aka the gangster that your grandmother loves. An open book that effortlessly merges the identities of ex-stripper, gangster sweetheart and rap superstar. Cardi B has taken the world by storm, both with her unprecedented Billboard charting, and completely authentic social media persona. She felt the glory of the #1 Billboard spot with Bodak Yellow and she’s shooting for it again. Invasion of Privacy describes the album content perfectly. This album stood out as a magnifying glass into Cardi B’s past, present and potential future. But, how did this massively anticipated album stand up to its hype? Well… For Cardi…

Melissa Lamm is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Canada. She combines her love of pop music with thoughtful lyrics that resonate with listeners. Her music takes influence from her favourite artists, including John Mayer, Lights, Zedd, and The Weeknd. Biggest accomplishment so far: For as long as I can remember, I have been a creative person battling with the conventional little voice inside my head. I have always wanted to be a songwriter. I wanted to create music that complete strangers listened to. I wanted to turn complicated ideas into beautiful phrases that resonated with others. I wanted to be…