Trying to dry off from the little pool of sweat that was formulating on my upper lip (it’s apparently a very filipino thing, lol) I cooled out to the slight breeze blowing on the steps of the outdoor stage at Dundas Sq. I hate humidity and what it does to my sweat glands. Smirking at the billboard TV ads displaying the debut of my face of a recent Ryerson marketing spot I did, I laughed watching my 2 seconds of fame. I need to record this ish asap and send it to me moms back home in Vancity to show her Toronto did more to me than just a nose piercing and a side-shaved head.

Sippin’ on a half-sweet iced coffee from Timmy Ho’s, I sat on a concrete bench with the least amount of dried up pigeon excrements defacing it. Tanning my back and watching the water recycle itself in the middle of the water fountain, I wondered aloud  which was cleaner, Lake Ontario, or this water fountain/ice rink (in the winter) that is situated in front of Nathan Phillips Square.

After leading a workshop out at Kapisanan in Kensington Market, I left the freshly rained upon concrete in search for a place for food and comfort. Texting KG, the fourth artist who I had to do an artist profile on for The Love Affair, I hurried towards Spadina, the heart of Chinatown, with my mouth already watering for pork and dill dumplings.

“We’re goin’ on the rooftop,” was all Junia said to me in a quick BBM as I biked my way towards the location we were meeting up. There are some people who just aren’t very explanatory via cellphone messaging means, and Junia is definitely one of them, lol. I arrived at the bottom of the apartment complex and grabbed an elevator heading towards the 6th floor. Already laughing as Junia let me into his friend Addy’s apartment, I saw him, Crooks, and Addy sprawled about the living room, lazin’ to whatever was playing on the flat screen TV.

I crossed the grassy knoll in search for a group of dudes lazing around with acoustic guitars; kinda difficult to spot at Bellevue Square in Kensington Market where that could easily be the norm. Towards the east end of the park sat a group of four guys — Alborz, Chris, Gubbie and Alfred, also known as The Vibonics. A combination of funk and alternative hip hop, this quartet of Seneca music students all found each other at their establishment of higher education. What I’ve coined as the “D2 Mighty Ducks Concept”, in which a collaboration is formed — the amalgamation of the best of the besterest is put together to contribute their master skills and talents to create a SUPER FORCE, is one of the best ways to describe The Vibonics. Chris on keys, Gubbie on bass, Alfred on guitar, (Caesar on drums) and Alborz spittin on the mic, The Vibonics give off the rawness that of The Roots but with a funky silly soul like they just stepped off the Double Dutch bus.

I stepped off the bus and found myself in a completely unfamiliar area. I never venture off to the west, so to find myself on Dundas West and Runnymede felt like it had been a journey and a half to get there. Taking the wrong bus, I picked up my phone and dialed Wade’s number to confirm the exact location we were meeting. After another bus westward, I ended up on this street corner where a locally owned Shawarma pita joint was situated.

“Heey, oh hold on a second, yeah, I see you.” Said a soothing rhythmic voice over the phone. Sure enough, from an alleyway behind Mr. Pita emerged a half-smiling Wade, with piercing and intriguing eyes, modestly clad in a loose fitted cotton Tee and shorts.

Heeeeeeeeeeeerreee it is! The countdown is over and today is officially 8.9.10! If you’ve been following, you might remember previous posts/videos making mention of this very talented, handsome and wonderful New York City native — Mr. Lance Drummonds. A few months back I was in New York filming his concert and doing a bunch of stuff to help create his promotional campaign for the release of his new album, Time and Space. It is OFFICIALLY out and man, I’m so glad that ya’ll get to finally hear what he’s been hyping up and working on. I’m so proud of this album and have so much respect and admiration for Lance because if you listen to each of the songs, you’ll realize how personal they all are, especially the lyrics, to his experiences in his past relationships. I find it beautiful that someone can put their whole heart out there through their music and that people can respond by connecting to it.

Make sure you keep an eye out for my favorite songs on the album: Share My Heart (real tear jerker, I swear, SO EPIC), Opposite of No (ohhh man gets me so laaa laaaa), Selfish (Makes me even MORE goo gaaaa), and Time and Space (another tear jerker… but hopeful and also epic.)

LOTS OF LOVE and CONGRATS all the way from Toronto and Big ups to Old Money too for co-producing and introducing me to Lance! We need to book these guys a show out here, yo!!!

In case you’ve missed out, check out the following videos we worked on together:

It appears as though lately I’ve been doing a lot of dancing bafoonery on film, and hey… it’s the funnest thing to do on camera… especially on Yonge Street whilst many passersby watch my friends and I make fools of ourselves. Bwaaahahah. A video for A Story Told Well in collaboration with my former employment (The Lu), you most likely (unless you work for the company) will not see the final edited piece. So for now, enjoy a few behind-the-scene flicks taken by the wonderful Lenny Len.

Tis a new party, and the FIRST party that lovehard is officially partnering in on. Whaaaaaaaat! The vibe of this jam is unreal — givin’ you the best of 80’s dance, freestyle, r&b, disco and pop. Aka BUCKETS of unadulterated fun. Reach next Friday at lula lounge and grace me with your presence, will ya?

This video is a re-make to Taylor Dayne’s ‘Tell It To My Heart‘, starring myself, Justin, Johnny and cameos by the Beetles. Soooooo much love and thanks to Lenny Len for choreographing/filming/editing this! It was such a fun shoot, being able to bust out my Jessie Spano hip action and chest pumps, LOL. And our HOTT ASS outfits were styled by none other than Pretty Freedom in Kensington Market. I looooove those guys!!

THIS FRIDAY FOLKS!!! Come through! It’s only 5 bones rsvp, show up before 11:30. Join me on the dance floor and battle my hip action whilst we p-p-p-pump it to HUGGS and L’OQENZ’s t-t-t-t-tunesss.

Scoop up DJ L’Oqenz’s Last Night A DJ Saved My Life mixtape here. Get a feel for what you can expect this coming Friday…. ughhh this mixtape actually… could possibly be added onto my top ten faves of Toronto DJ’s.  !!!!!!  Lula Lounge, SEE YOU THERE.

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: click here.

I’ve probably written or name dropped him numerous times in previous posts, but Derrick of A Story Told Well has been my mentor, mother, hero, and dear friend for almost two years now. The journey of our kinship is one that is undoubtedly an integral part to my future success story. To make a long story short, career and academic wise, Derrick is the reason why I am where I am today. He has not only supported me throughout my entire video learnings thus far, but he was the one who inspired me to apply for the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson. I have a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation for this beautiful human being in my life.

After a lovely meal prepared by my filipino hands of wonder, we stepped into the dusk downtown streets and did a photoshoot for a lil somethin-somethin lovehard related. [Soon to be revealed!]

I’ll leave you with a few of the shots we took. Sinthuja made a guest appearance. Obvi.

Word up.

I’ve spoken my piece.
Peace.