It’s Wednesday and there’s more to celebrate other than humping. My peoples SOUL CUSTODY, aka Damian, Lady Shabaz, and Apollo Creed are finally releasing their album that they’ve been working on all year. I’ve heard it multiple times, I’ve listened to them practice, and I can’t tell you enough how freaking talented these guys are. Damian’s creative and original production, Allie’s ridiculously buttery voice, Apollo’s dirty sound when he spits… really REALLY something you’ve never heard and will love, if you appreciate good music.

[GoGetters Ent. VanCity in the house! Jenno and Stylus Nominee DJ CocoFresh]

This week has been insane to say the least… either way, I’ve been meaning to post these from jump, but better late than never. Monday evening marked the 2011 DJ Stylus Awards, held at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Shouts to my girl Simone who ran a tight ship that night and hooked up the tickets for me to attend. Celebrating Canadian DJ’s and Hip Hop, it had been 3 years since I last attended this event, and maan I have to say — it has come a long way. From expanding categories to the legit sponsorships, this year’s Stylus was pretty good! I was stoked on reaching because many of my friends got nominated this year. Highlight for me, by far, had to be when Rich Kidd won Artist Mixtape of the Year. He had much respect from all the people in that room, and I couldn’t be any more proud of him for what he’s accomplished through that mixtape, and with all the artists that worked on it with him. It was a celebration nonetheless…

[It’s finally here. Superior Taste by TFHOUSE]

My best friend Teddy has been working diligently with the TFHOUSE team aka DSTRY and Beetle Brit for the past couple of months. Meetings upon meetings at the Granby Mansion, these guys sure know how to break me from my study state when they have surprise meetings at the crib. I can’t say it any other way: I am so effing proud of Teddy. The production value on this mixtape is unreal. He has grown exponentially since his last mixtape (On My Way), not even a whole year ago. The songs on this album really suit the vibe I dig. When I have a whole album on repeat, that says something. By far, my favorite song is ‘So Dope’ and have had that song pulled up over and over and over again all day… provokes too many bad ass music video ideas in my head. *Achem Teddy*. Lol.

It’s that time again. If ya dun kno, Main Ingredient is a party that I’ve been working for, for a year and a half and every month the music is guaranteed to be live. But the party is only as good as who’s there. So come through and bring your good vibes… let’s rock out and hopefully the sun will get the hint and bring us back the Spring we never had! Sean Sax. Mensa. Agile. Wan Luv. Ohtake. Sheryl. Notaurious. Yobi. Dope-A-Lot. Yours Truly. With the Side Dish: James Redi. Hector. Let’s go hard!!

Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208222549204402

Saturday evening is a very special charity concert happening at Vola Nightclub. Tons of names on the bill. Hosted by my girl Phoenix, music by  a buncha DJs including my Main Ingredient fam DJ Sean Sax, as well as performances by Erik Flowchild, PG, Shi Wisdom, Linda Lutzono, Quentin Vercetty, just to name a few…My girl Phoenix has been working very hard putting this fundraiser together with Songbird Jazmine and hollered at me to do my ‘click click’ ting from the jump.

Come. Vibe to Toronto talent, be in good energy, and send LOVE to Japeezy.

Click HERE for facebook invite.

[Ma Dukes aka Dilla’s Mom]

A few weeks back during my reading break, my man DJ Nana hollered at me and asked me if I was down for being part of this very, very exciting weekend he was putting together for Ma Dukes, aka Dilla’s mom. It was one of those unknowingly amazing weekends that I never expected would unfold. In lieu of his birth/death anniversary, Nana along with a super dope team of peoples, organized a special screening of Suite For Ma Dukes — a short film about a composer who took some of Dilla’s best songs and had them performed by a 30 piece orchestra, with guest performances by D’Angelo, Bilal, Common, and De La Soul.

This Friday, March 18th, The Fundamentals returns at Augusta House, this time with special guest DJ’s Sweet Touch Foundation (Finnaaally, Paul, Rick! It’s been a minute), along with resident DJ’s Big Jacks and Mensa, myyyyy peoples! Hosted by Bozack Morris of Black-Rap and Lambert Leander of Classe Nouveau, with the drunken-yet-artistic-never-break-my-camera-knock-on-wood photography by yours truly.  We be bringin’ you the fundamentals in hip hop, cheap shots and drinks, and the chillin’ illin’ vibe that Kensington Market provides. Augusta House will be bumpin. Shouts to my girl and photography hero, Angie Choi, of EYEKAHFOTO, who will be jammin’ out on her Bornday this Friday! Bom bom bom!

In lieu of Canadian Music Week, this month’s Main Ingredient is putting on two wicked music groups — Art of Fresh and The Lytics, whom I’m currently taking in right now. Art of Fresh with Toronto’s D.O. and Slakah the Beatchild, these guys give it to us with ‘hip-house’…. aka I LOVE IT. Take in this track right now — Get Free. If that doesn’t make you dance, then you’ve got wooden legs, bro. Shouts to homegirl Marina who’s the sexy half russian half korean dancer with D.O! The Lytics, hailing from Peg-City, take more of a hip-hop approach with some seriously quality lyrics (thank god). I particularly am vibing this chune — Last Bit. As if those dudes aren’t exciting enough, hosting alongside our beloved Wan Luv is JANELLE MONAE. BAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! She’s so 9340jfklajfkl ejiaowe; fioaw GOOD. Holy. Makes me so excited. I mean, look at this video — Many Moons. This song and visual accompaniment are so impressive it blows my brain balls. “You’re free but in your mind, your freedom’s in a bind.” OKAY, Janelle. YOU’RE cool.

Anyways… MY POINT IS… why wouldn’t you come? Ohhh… because the weather is still winter and it’s making everyone so frustrated? Dance it off, bro.

Saturday. You’re there.

Or You’re not.

I’m indifferent.

But You?

Could feel like you missed out on LIFE.

(Char’s crazy.)

Facebook invite HERE.

I’ve spoken my piece. Peace!

[My obsession with Barcelona persists.]

Spain, South America, Central America... my fascination with spanish-influenced cultures is unceasing. After briefly mentioning this to a new friend named Té, and that one of my goals is to travel to all these places just so I could hit up the baddest latin funk-house parties, he passed me along this mixtape he did awhile back. I must say, it has been on repeat during my morning ritual routine, along with the added new dance moves I do by myself in the privacy of my bedroom. Lol. Vamonos! Escucha a la música, y baila conmigo…

Full Brazilians: Unwaxed – Live Mix 24 02 2011 by Te Esprit

Big ups, Té. I looove this mix!

[TFHOUSE, beeeeeeeeetch]

Upon high demand from Teddy’s loyal followers, he put on a show performing some of his songs from his mixtape he released last summer, as well as gave everyone something to get hyped up for with his upcoming album Superior Taste, that’s bout to drop in 2 weeks. His songs he performed with Dana definitely showed everyone what he’s been in the studio for, something that defies what everyone thought TFHouse was about. Prior to gracing the stage with his signature dance moves and undeniable presence, Teddy had MONEY BOXX from Tokyo open up for him (who knew rapping in japanese would be so friggin’ mind blasting), as well as ANTZ ONE, a skater-rapper also featured with the Granby Girls in TFHouse’s music video for On My Way.  Nocturne was bumpin, a really cool venue (minus the wack chick bartender who wouldn’t serve me, WACK.) At the end of the night, our fam went out to New Ho King for a whole bunch of “Cheers”ing to a successful night, that Teddy sucks and may never rock a show ever again. =D

Here are the flicks from that night: