Latoya Elle explores Betty Davis, the funk icon who broke gender barriers, championing women’s liberation through music. Known for trailblazing a path for artists such as Prince and Madonna, Disco/Rock/Funk artist Betty Davis is now a part of North Carolina’s Music Hall of Fame. “Long time coming, it’s been a long time coming,” Garry Percell says, a Funkhouse band member, a few hours before the 2023 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in Mooresville, N.C. Percell is one of five band members who perform Davis’ songs across America. “After 55-60 years of playing music, to be inducted…
Author: Latoya Elle
Expressing how moving away from the suburbs changes the dynamics of his relationships, R&B artist Dylan Sinclair releases his second EP, No Longer in the Suburbs. From unexpectedly filling up an arena with 200 people at his first show to now moving to the city to pursue his music career, the 20-year-old Toronto-based artist reveals the challenges he is facing while transitioning. This smooth R&B album is packed with soft melodies and decants that caresses almost every line. His mellow alto voice sinks into the rhymes as instrumentals string throughout the project. Along with the release of the EP, the…
The man who claims to be born on the moon and raised on Mars, Stephen Voyce, releases a remix to his 2020 single “Promise Land.” Infusing the single with House-Dance soundtrack, “Promise Land (Remix),” narrows in on the message of claiming where you belong while embracing your purpose. The remix is produced and in collaboration with JAKO, a Las Vegas-based DJ and music producer. The two met on Instagram back in 2018. After bonding about each other’s sub-genres of House music, including Dark Pop and Electronic music, JAKO feel in love with original “Promise Land.” “I wanted someone else to…
JUNO award-winning R&B and Afro-Pop artist TÖME released her highly anticipated album LOV (Love Over Vanity). The upbeat album lures you into a journey about a woman who is craving for a heart-throbbing relationship. Drench with tropical beats throughout the album, TÖME may have another award-winning project in her mist. The feel-good album is engulfed with Amapiano beats, bouncing bass and soulful melodies. Showcasing TÖME vocal range while also embracing the simple lyrism, this album will have you swaying. The instrumental-driven project is produced in collaboration with Shizzi, LT Moe, Michelin Shin and Grammy award-nominated Legendury Beatz. Many of producers,…
Stuck between what he wants and what she wants, Jon Vinyl is forced to confront the status of their relationship in his latest single and music video, “Don’t Care.” Toronto’s soulful R&B singer is known for his staccato vibratos, vulnerable lyrics and love songs. All of these attributes are proven once again, as he unlocks an emotional journey about holding on to a relationship that has already ended, in his new single “Don’t Care.” Sharing the feelings of being unheard and disconnected, throughout the single Jon Vinyl reveals that it is better for him to be selfish. Starting the single…
The talented Nottingham-based duo behind “No Rush,” Young T & Bugsey, are back to takeover your speakers with their latest album Truth Be Told. The album shares a mix of snappy bass kicks and smooth afrobeat rhythms. The embracive sonically diverse album shows the range of the duo’s cultural musical influences of Rap and Hip Hop while also staying true to their afro-fusion roots. The album includes features from M Huncho, Chronixx and Blxst, to name a few. Known for coining the phrase “lifestyle gangland,” a tag line included in one of their first UK hit singles “Gangland” featuring Belly…
“I want y’all to remember that you can do whatever you wanna do and be whoever you wanna be, cause look at me.” – Megan Thee Stallion Graduating from Texas Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in health administration, Megan Thee Stallion proves to the world that anything is achievable if you put your mind into it. This mindset is why Nike selected Megan Thee Stallion also known as Megan Pete as a Yardrunners, a Nike lead program dedicated to shine a light on students from historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBUCs) who are creating meaningful change for Black…
SHIFTER’s Canadian Music Video Roundup is back! And we are coming in hot with some smashes from across the country! Check out our top 10 October music video releases listed in order of release date below! While you’re here, don’t forget to place your vote for Video of the Month! Island Baby (Maarte) Paradise rising & Manila Grey Release Date: Oct. 3rd, 2021 Directed by: Brock Newman & Soliven Island Baby should not only make Vancouver proud, but the Philiopino community too! In their latest music video they bring a new meaning to Filipino word “maarte.” Maarte is slang…
Get ready for another headbanger mob-starter album as Snotty Nose Rez Kids are celebrating the joy of life now that COVID-lockdown is over for them with the release of their 4th album, Life After. The Indigenous Hip Hop duo created this raw outspoken album following their months long battle with mental health and depression. After experiencing loved ones passing away, they dug deep within themselves to imagine what life would be like after the pandemic shut down. It was during these moments of recovery that they found brand-new incentive to write about their frustrations, pain, the multi-generational impacts of colonialism…
Manifesto celebrates its 15th anniversary with headliners J.I.D, Savanah Re, Notifi, Charmaine, Jahkoy, DJ Killa Kels, and many others. The day-long festival shares the sounds of the city with Hip Hop, RnB, and Latin music, Saturday. “Preparing for this year’s festival was so much fun,” says Tanisha Richards, the Director of Operations and Partnerships. “We knew that we had no choice but to make it a BIG DEAL! Not only because we were celebrating 15 years, but because after being deprived of live music for what feels like an eternity, we had to make sure we did our city proudly.”…
Easing the pace but hitting us with confidence, Cartel Madras recently released the music video for “Lavender Nightz”, the first single off their latest EP, Serpent and The Tiger. The video starts with a motorcyclist whizzing past cars, as they take off in the night. In the next scene Eboshi and Contra, appear. That’s when the music drops. “Lavender Nightz was inspired by late night conversations and a post-breakup freestyle according the Cartel Madras. Their sound is as direct as their lyrics. It includes gungy techno, bouncy interloop and hasty rap flows. The alternative hip-hop artists have been making noise in…
Nue releases his debut single for his upcoming project, Feel It Now. The song was originally made under 50 minutes. This was all the time Nue needed to take us through the journey of a young man who is feeling overwhelmed because he is losing control over his relationship. This angsty track combines rock guitar slams over a hip hop melody – showcasing Nue’s genre-bending talent. This is a new direction for the Hip Hop and R&B alternative artist but it’s this versatility that caught the attention of A&R agents at 300 Entertainment. The Scarborough raised rapper and singer recently…
