Post Malone’s latest album is “beautiful, timeless and thoughtful” says Kevin Bourne in his Austin album review. Singer, songwriter and genre bending hitmaker, Post Malone, is back with his self-titled fifth studio album, Austin―a follow up to his 2022 release Twelve Carat Toothache. Where his last two projects featured big names in hip-hop like Roddy Ricch, Gunna, DaBaby, Lil Baby, Future, Meek Mill, Travis Scott and Young Thug, his new project has no features marking a complete departure from hip-hop (at least for now) as he goes back his roots in alternative music. In recent years ,some have questioned whether…
Author: Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne
Kevin Bourne is the co-founder and editor of SHIFTER magazine. Born and raised in Toronto, Kevin currently resides in Ottawa with his wife Koliah and their three children. He's a big fan of hip-hop, pop culture, and urbanism and spends most of his time keeping up with the Kardashians.
Seattle-based artist LIV is a singer, rapper and director making noise with her blend of bars, catchy hooks, and soulful vocals. Although it gave rise to the 90’s grunge/rock scene and acts like Nirvana, Peal Jam, and Soundgarden (and more recently acts like Aminé), when it comes to music, the Pacific Northwest is still in the shadow of entertainment hotbeds like New York and Los Angeles. Still, there are a number of artists and filmmakers who are making Seattle one of the most creative cities in America with the seventh highest concentration of creatives according to a recent Singulart poll. One…
Fatima pays Karen a visit as things get quite intense. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 9. After Karen leaves the front door open (for Zac), Fatima interrupts the girls’ get together at Karen’s house. World War III erupts as Fatima reminds Karen that Zac doesn’t want her. Things get even more complicated when Aaron walks in. After the girls leave, the drama continues outside as Zac and Aaron, who smells of alcohol, chirp at each other. When Sabrina returns upstairs, Karen is waiting for Fatima to return. When Zac returns home, he tries to get…
SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says this may be the most vulnerable version of Haviah Mighty yet in his Crying Crystals album review. Haviah Mighty, one of Canada’s more consistent artists, recently returned with her first full length project in two years titled Crying Crystals. The 13-track album is a follow up to her Juno-winning album Stock Exchange and her Polaris-winning debut album13th Floor. Since her last album, she has won a Juno Award, graced the red carpet at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards after being nominated for Best International Flow, and appears to be more comfortable in her own skin…
In his latest column, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says the Toronto Ugandan refugees crisis proves that Black people can only rely on themselves. It’s been about two weeks since a group of Ugandan refugees descended on the streets of Toronto fleeing conflict and political instability in their home country. The group camped outside of the shelter registry on Peter Street to use the facilities and wait for placement in a shelter. Unfortunately, they were informed that due to a lack of federal funds they were unable to house them. As a result, they to continued living on the street in tents…
Things come to a head between Zac and Fatima as Karen offers him a proposition. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 8. **SPOILER ALERT** As the episode, Crystal Renee Hayslett continues to serve up some great acting, doing an excellent job of conveying pain and anguish. Despite Andi trying to talk her off the ledge, a still distraught and sick and tired Fatima decides to return Zac’s engagement ring and her mind is made up (so she says). As Fatima leaves, Gary enters to talk to Andi about what she said the other night. Expecting Andi…
In his They Cloned Tyrone review, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne says the film is deceivingly intelligent and a book that shouldn’t be judged by its cover. A pimp, a ho and a drug dealer. Minutes into They Cloned Tyrone you feel a though you’re in for two hours of a lazy and uninteresting play on Black stereotypes. While there are a number of Black stereotypes seen throughout the film, it’s with reason. The unlikely trio of Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx), the fearful, stuck in the 70’s pimp, his ho Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), who always up on what’s going down in the…
KB had a change to ask Ottawa-based Platinum Producer, Blasian Beats, about his successes, biggest collabs and more. Kevin Bourne: Even though you’ve worked with some big names in music, you’ve been pretty low-key in the past so people may not have heard of you. Who are some of the artists you’ve produced for who people might know? Blasian Beats: I’ve had the honour of working with many extremely talented artists over the years, many of whom specialize in different genres of music. Some of the more well-known artists I’ve produced for include Rick Ross, Nafe Smallz, NLE Choppa, Kodak…
Tensions continue to rise between Zac and Fatima over the situation with Karen. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 7. **SPOILER ALERT** “What’s up, baby?” This is what Zac tried to pull as Fatima pulled up at the salon to find Karen kissing Zac on the cheek. But she’s all business, getting him to sign paperwork for his son. Fatima isn’t the only person heated. Aaron saw the whole thing and presses Zac, who continues to be petty, before leaving. After Sabrina and Maurice learn they may do 15 years in jail, and Maurice threatens to…
Is the latest Mission Impossible film the best one yet? SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne weighs in in his Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning review. When talking about a film, it’s quite cliché to say that “fans are buzzing” and “critics are raving”, but in the case of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One the buzz is real. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the seventh installment in the legendary spy film series sees Tom Cruise reprise his role as Ethan Hunt, an aging but still capable top agent with the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). Hunt and his team, played once again by…
Tensions continue to rise between Zac and Fatima over the situation with Karen. Here’s our review of Tyler Perry’s Sistas Season 6 Episode 6. **SPOILER ALERT** Things are heating up once again with a drama filled episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Zac and Fatima, aka Zatima, were built up as the seemingly unsinkable Sistas power couple only to experience major trouble in paradise. Although some fans may be upset with the drama surrounding the beloved couple, the storyline is adding big time entertainment value to the show. The episode opens with Danni waking up to find Preston in her bed…
The exhibition, built with contributions from the community, will explore hip-hop’s five pillars: breaking, emceeing, DJ-ing, graffiti, and knowledge through a timeline of art and archives The SHIFTER and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) are thrilled to announce the opening of 83 ’til Infinity: 40 years of hip-hop in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, an exhibition exploring the stories, legacy, and experiences of hip-hop in the Ottawa–Gatineau region. It will be on view from July 8, 2023, to February 18, 2024, and will open with a summer party on July 8th, which is being sponsored by the RBC Foundation as part of…
