Styles of the Illest: 6/1/07

Jun 20, 2007

Rochester - The Toronto Rapper

Check out the hit, "Pull Up" on his MySpace HERE.

A new wave of Toronto-based rap talent is positioning itself to make a dent on Canadian music charts. Rochester aka Juice has emerged as one of the leaders of this new school. Dont believe the hype? You dont need to. Prominent press outlets, commercial radio and TV stations have already stepped in to cement the hoopla, and the stage is set.

Born Jason Rochester, the emcee grew up in the Islington/Finch corridor of Toronto and demonstrated a unique artistic gift as a young teen that had dreams of becoming a comic book illustrator. Influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Dennis Brown and Jay-Z, Juice casually dabbled in the art of rhyme slinging in his old neighborhood, at one time joining rap clique The STC (Street Terrorist Clique).

Years later when Canada's first urban radio station (FLOW 93.5 fm) held their inaugural Soul Search talent contest (in 2002), he graduated with honours from occasional hood cipher contributor to centre-stage entertainer. A charismatic performance coupled with an ability to paint candid pictures through his rhymes crowned Rochester the Soul Searchs inaugural first prizewinner for his original composition Young Luv - an animated ode to early childhood romance, kicked Juices career into overdrive.

Peep some more tunes and vids at his homepage: http://www.rochesterakajuice.ca/

"I'm Ready" - Music Video

Page - Get to know the guy...

He's new to many, but this man is no stranger to the music industry. He's learned what he needs to do in order to make things happen in Canada and his next moves will bare witness to that. Page is about to release his compilation/mixtape Two Sides To A Story which features his single “Ballin’ Is My Hobby”. Not holding back with any of his point of views, Page is a real straight up individual who tells it how he sees it. With his honest and powerful story-telling lyrics, Page is definitely an original when it comes to the delivery of his music. Signed to Smoke 'N’ Mirrors, Page also is self-sufficient and has created a company that has already made a bold statement in the industry. With a new mixtape, album, DVD, video games, and so much more, Page surely has a lot in store for the rest of 2007. If you want to know why Page says, “Ballin’ Is My Hobby” read below, and know that the story has just begun for this young artist.

Interview at HipHopCanada.com

The Staircase Diaries - Logikal Ethix & Unknown Mizery

A short documentary-type video from these two Toronto hip hop soldiers. Check it out, Stolen From Africa & Mutescreamz.com

Logikal Ethix & Unknown Mizery - "Ain't No Good Life"

Comin' from Toronto, from their 2004 street release, It Will Fall, comes Logikal Ethix and Unknown Mizery's video debut of their hit single, "Aint no Good Life." The real video starts about 1:24 into it, so be patient...or skip forward.

Track produced by Arkeoloogists.
Video Directed by Jake Kovnat of TWiNkViBE Productions.

"Things Change" - Logikal Ethix of Stolen From Africa

Song by: Logikal Ethix of Stolen From Africa
Produced by: Tha Biz of Soul 4 Hire Productions
Directed by: Logikal Ethix of Mutescreamz Mentaltainment Inc/Stolen From Africa Movement

Logikal Ethix and Unknown Mizery are Toronto based artist who speak from their soul. Co-Founders of Mutescreamz Mentaltainment Inc., their mission is to help provided a voice for oppressed youth through the expressive context of art.

Although Logikal & Miz are solo artists, they have been recording and performing together as a duo for the past 5 years. In 2001 Unknown Mizery was featured on the Juno nominated album "Dim Sum" Produced by Dj Serious which received international recognition. In 2003, Logikal Ethix released a self-titled street album that received attention on Much Music's MuchNews for persistent CD selling in the downtown streets of Toronto. In 2004 the Duo recorded the street release album entitled "It Will Fall" which has sold over 10,000 copies Canada wide. In the spring of 2005 they released the Poor Man Militia album P.M.M and has developed a loyal fallowing in the U.K Australia and in various part of the U.S.

In 2004 The duo developed there own clothing brand "Stolen From Africa" which has been used as an alternative tool to promote cultural awareness alongside the music. The response has been so great that they have received the support of Toronto Mayor David Miller, and they are planning a high tour in the spring of 2006.

www.STOLENFROMAFRICA.com
www.LOGIKALETHIX.com
http://www.mutescreamz.com/

Growing Up in Toronto - Lost in The Struggle

The Fifth Estate (CBC) wanted to know why young men in some neighbourhoods of Canadian cities are drawn to a culture of violence. A culture where drug sales are often a source of income, friendships are defended with weapons, and a deadly dispute can start with a disrespectful glance.

Rather than accessing this world through the police or social workers, producers wanted to document the lives of the young men in their own voices. To learn what options are available to a young person who grows up in a culture where loyalty is determined by whom you're willing to protect. And to understand how they get left behind by the systems of education, social services and justice that are supposed to protect them.

To get the access needed to tell this story, producers enlisted two young filmmakers. Paul Nguyen and Mark Simms grew up in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, an area that has waged a decades-long battle against a reputation for violence and hopelessness.

Chuckie and Burnz met through their common love of rap music. Simms and Nguyen introduced producers at the fifth estate to three young men who have all lived with violence, at times as the victim, at times the perpetrator. Phong Nguyen, aka Chuckie, Andrew Burnett, aka Burnz and Albi Aziz, aka Freshy, all grew up in Jane and Finch. One has lived by the gun from a young age. Another desperately wants to get out of the cycle of violence and retribution but doesn't know how. The other aspires to a criminal life despite the better options available to him.

The Fifth Estate, together with Simms and Nguyen as film crew, spent 10 months following Chuckie's, Burnz' and Freshy's lives, from their criminal exploits and encounters with the justice system to their relationships with family, friends, and each other.

The turns their lives took, the dilemmas they faced and the decisions they made formed the narrative of the story. The stories that unfold are of struggle: to succeed when poverty, lack of education and opportunity pull you down; to escape from the only life you've known; and to make positive choices in the face of anger and aimlessness.